putt along like grandpa with one turn signal on,

43 years riding and I still do that.
OOps I guess I'm that grandpa?
Maybe I'll buy a Harley if the turn signal goes off by itself!

* Last updated by: Sharkey on 6/22/2009 @ 5:33 PM *

Luckydevil, THAT was beeeeuuutttiiifful.
That is exactly how it was/is.
Some years ago I needed a chainbreaker (82 SuperGlide) the Harley shop was only about 3 blocks from my house so I just sauntered down to pick one up.
There I am in my oily jeans, longhair, beard, waitin' my turn at the parts counter.
The salesman was busy with two quail who were deciding which t-shirts they should buy (no shit).
I ask the guy at the counter if they had any chainbreakers, and he says, "Harleys don't have chains".
Well, says I, they fucking used to.
Never set foot in that shop again.

Since then I've had occaision to wander thru todays "boutique dealerships".
They are a far cry from the shops my ol' man used to work in, and I grew up around.
Now if it ain't a brand new hog it ain't worth havin'.
Yuppie-Davidson.
A guy I know took his Pan in for a oilchange at the Harley shop, can't do it, they said, your bikes to old, the mechanic doesn't know how to do a oilchange on your bike.
What the fuck could be simpler than an oilchange on an old v-twin?

Yuppie-butt jewlery,that's all the new hogs are now.

Have to agree with Toecutter, the HD dealerships have lost a lot in the last few years. It used to be when you went into either a Brit bike or Harley dealership you were in a place that meant motorcycle business which means mechanical not t-shirts and thongs (though I see nothing wrong with thongs).
I can't believe how soft-core this business have become and its like a car dealership complete with know-nothing salesmen. Now it seems the only place you can get the "motorcycle" feel is in small, independent dealers who don't necessarily have a loyalty to any brand.

If there was ever a compelling reason (and that's questionable) to buy a Harley that reason is now gone. The Bad Boy Image that created the Harley legend (or myth, depending upon your perspective) has now been completely replaced by the Urban Biker Image. Yuppie(rich or wannabe rich with credit cards) dressed up like he's going out to a Halloween party with all the Harley accessories. If I wanted to pose on a chrome plated butt ornament, I'd buy a Harley, since I like to ride I go with something else (usually a lot cheaper).

Kruz

"Chrome Plated Butt Accessory" is how do you like my interest rate? Now I can Kruz wit the rest of the knobs all in debt is we have something in common is, hey, I like the % of chrome on your bike is you must be high in debt then is looks like you put the house up to cover the headlight [is on butt on one is home]!

* Last updated by: Hub on 6/23/2009 @ 8:34 AM *

Ingersoll,

That's a really good point - I think any backlash is based more on anti-yuppie than anti-HD.

1badzx14r wrote:

Harley ain't going under ..they make more money from apparel then from all the bike sales anyways..

Apparel? Apparel??? What's gotten in to you 1bad, using fancy words like apparel....and you even spelled it correctly!! Dayuuuum, I'm impressed!! Next, you gonna turn into one of those button down types that wears a Pierre Cardin suit, works a 9 to 5 and drives a Beemer?

Kruz

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/26/2009 @ 2:35 PM *

Hubster, lots of yups took out second and third mortgages on dat big house to buy Harley's wit Xtra lay ears of chrome. Day wuz Kruzin in style.......for a time. Can U say " dat repo man a comin is"!!

Kruz