V-Twin hand lever problems

[fabercycle]

Cotten, I do agree with all that except, the not caring where good parts come from. (I think that may have been an unintentional phrase), I'm an isolationist, and I say to hell with imported everything.

We WILL wake up someday, and be a third world country. And yes, It is the fault of the people at the top.......but every one of Americans who continue to buy foreign stuff, is putting a nail in the coffin of the US economy, and as much at fault.

The very reason every person is on this site, or in this club, is because of the "lure" of the machines made back in "a better time" , of quality and integrity, and style, that went into the making of them. But yet how many drive a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc?


People don't care about what they leave for the next generation, because, they are self-serving, advertisment absorbing, mindless drones.


Ford may become the "HD" of autos.


Americans will continue to propagate the problem, and then bitch, when all is lost.

[T. Cotten]

Sorry to disagree with you cotten, but I DO care where stuff I buy comes from. Just wait and see when our US automotive industry goes by the wayside, and see how many millions of jobs connected to it, and supplying it, dissappear into history.

Gosh, Tom,
I would never have placed you with the mindless masses, so please don't take my statement personally. You should feel included in the 'cottage industry' catagory that I intended to promote.

Not that I should be included in that catagory, of course. That would be shameless self-promotion.

....Cotten

[Chris Haynes]

Yup, Chrysler is going to close 800 dealerships and GM will close 1,000.

[fabercycle]

Sorry to disagree with you cotten, but I DO care where stuff I buy comes from. Just wait and see when our US automotive industry goes by the wayside, and see how many millions of jobs connected to it, and supplying it, dissappear into history.

[flat-happy]

yeah but doggone it those people are riding theirs while i wait to find perfect parts to finish my restoration. i wish i could change but i guess i'm too old now. anyone got an nos knuckle front 5 fin FL cyl??

just thinking about the cost of shipping from the dark side of the moon . do they take paypal?

[c.o.]

Jeez Paps I was only one number off from calling Bingo myself.... That Cotton feller nailed it on the head!

[Paps]

Aw, Geez,
Let's not bring the Hawaiians into this...

I personally don't care if a part is made on the dark side of the moon, as long as it is a quality piece.

If there is anyone to blame, it is the masses of buyers who accept crap, and are willing to pay more if it is chromed.

...Cotten

BINGO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[T. Cotten]

wouldn't it be nice if we had more politicians with kahunas enough to actually run this country "for the people" like it was intended in the beginning

Aw, Geez,
Let's not bring the Hawaiians into this...

I personally don't care if a part is made on the dark side of the moon, as long as it is a quality piece.

If there is anyone to blame, it is the masses of buyers who accept crap, and are willing to pay more if it is chromed.

...Cotten

[flat-happy]

wouldn't it be nice if we had more politicians with kahunas enough to actually run this country "for the people" like it was intended in the beginning

[Paps]

Don’t always believe what you read.

I’ve seen with my own eyes, employee’s who’s only job at work was to uncrate products that had “Made in China” stickers on them and they would remove that sticker and place a “Made in USA” sticker back in its place and then pack it into new packaging. That was their job everyday, all day. That was thirty years ago, so imagine what is likely happening in today’s dog eat dog world.

I too have seen the same. Not at any plant I worked in but most recently a foundry who manufactured bathtubs. The company closed but it first sent all of it's equipment to China. While in the middle of shutting all things down. A pattern maker came across such crates. The ware came in from China. upon opening the crates, the pattern maker spotted the cast on Made In USA. To make a long story short, the tubs were cast from the original tooling when they were actually made in the USA. Union reps confronted management about this. A crew was dispatched to grind the Made In The USA off off the tubs. I bet know one grinds that off of them now.....since the US based plant is now torn down.

[Robert Luland]

has anyone on this list ever seen Tedd's collection of ALL ORIGINAL American bikes? I last heard over 100 Indians and many early Harleys. Imagine collecting all that great stuff and being picky about what you buy as you foist crap on everyone else. It is my contention that making stuff down to a price rather than up to a standard is the greedy short sighted way to riches . Collectors deserve better and are willing to pay for quality , just check out the prices for original stuff. There are a few who are trying this approach such as Michael Breeding and we should support his and others small scale efforts or quit whining .

Barry I stated this in a earleir thread that the demand for quality parts has started a whole new mom and pop industrie. What we need here is a vender slot were they can post what they do and what they produce. I want to give these venders my money not Ted's rice gobblers.

[Ohio-Rider]

Don’t always believe what you read.

I’ve seen with my own eyes, employee’s who’s only job at work was to uncrate products that had “Made in China” stickers on them and they would remove that sticker and place a “Made in USA” sticker back in its place and then pack it into new packaging. That was their job everyday, all day. That was thirty years ago, so imagine what is likely happening in today’s dog eat dog world.

To me, anything other than NOS parts are only considered as a starter kit which I know will require a couple hours of my time. Thats the fun part right?

[Chris Haynes]

The thing that really gets you is; the parts are close to being right. They just don't give it that extra effort to be just right. It's frightening to think how dangerous it's going to be on American roads when China starts sending millions of cars here and dumb, disloyal American's buy them.

I repeat. This lever is marked "Made in USA".

[T. Cotten]

Face it: Tedd built his empire on one-size-fitz-none chopper gewgaws.
That was, and still is, THE American motorcycle market of glory.

While others who built aftermarket empires turned their back on the vintage market, he has at least offered convenience if not quality.

As enthusiasts mature in their appreciation for their machines, they soon learn that the best pieces are produced by dedicated cottage industries, not megamart importers.

Now that we have the 'Net, we can find those artists and craftsmen who hold to the higher standards.
Catalogs may go the way of newspapers, and aftermarket storefronts the way of the service station, but it is up to us demand quality, and support those who offer it without compromise.

....Cotten