The merger between Harley-Davidson and AMF (American Machine and Foundry Company) – a producer of leisure products – was effective in 1969. It took 11 years for Harley-Davidson to become independent again.
On February 26, 1980 thirteen Harley-Davidson senior executives signed a letter of intent to purchase Harley-Davidson Motor Company from AMF. By mid-June, the buyback was official, and the phrase “The Eagle Soars Alone” became a rallying cry. In 1981 Harley started to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and quality with the FXR/FXRS Super Glide® II with its rubber-isolated, five-speed powertrain and the welded and stamped frame for the new Sportster® models.
In 1983. Harley-Davidson successfully petitioned the International Trade Commission (ITC) for tariff relief, which was granted April 1, 1983. The tariff, scheduled to end five years later, was placed on all imported Japanese motorcycles 700cc or larger as a response to Japanese motorcycle manufacturers stockpiling inventories of unsold motorcycles in the United States. (photo @ H-D)
People like to tease about the AMF years but no AMF = no HD
Yes in fact I did know . Been there – Done that – Read the book … ” Well Made in America ” and everything . One of the last truly great moments in American manufacturing and one not likely to be repeated ever again … anywhere . Not to mention a book everyone in the manufacturing business needs to read [ for awhile the book was mandatory reading in Harvard’s MBA program ]
Pick up a copy and read the book if you can find one next time you’re thinking the company is on its way out . They’ve been thru it all – Seen competitors come and go – Successfully survived more ups and downs than most have ever been thru . And yet … still carry on … as #1 I might add
But err .. if i may … perhaps those at the helm of the company presently might benefit from a re-read of the book and a serious revisiting of their history in light of all the out sourcing etc of late ? Remembering who it was and is thats been keeping them alive all these years ? Ya think ?
Well said TJ. Sadly we just lost one of the “lucky 13” as we called them back in the day as Jim Patterson passed last week from brain cancer. A true loss as he was as genuine as they come. Had the pleasure to work with many in this group landing there in ’86. The leadership methods that Beals, Patterson and Teerlink demonstrated were amazing to say the least. Thank God we had them as they empowered us to lead and trusted our decisions in all aspects of the business. 34 years later, the results speak for themselves.
Great pic: 12 stuffed shirts and Willie G. off to the side; furry beard, no tie
@ Seymour – No import tarrif in the 80’s = No H-D
Just to clarify things a bit Frank D . The tariff was put in place because the Japanese were ‘ dumping ‘ their heavy cruisers into the US market at well below their cost to manufacture in an attempt to bring the Company to its knees . Once the Company was back on its feet , making a profit as well as doing well on Wall Street it was the Company that requested the tariff’s be removed despite the Japanese still selling their cruisers at below manufacturing cost . So give credit where credit is due . First ; To the US government who for once and in fact the only time in recent history [ other than the P/U chicken tax ] standing by the US manufacture rather than pandering to the Asians . Second ; To the 13 and all those behind them for daring to do what everyone else assumed was impossible . Third ; To the faithful who despite everything still keep the Company not only afloat .. but # 1 [ in heavy cruisers ] to this day . Fourth ; To the Company for requesting the removal of the tariff that helped them recover once they had done so
I’m an AMF’R!!! My everyday bike is a 1975 FLH. Blew by a TwinCammer last night. Love that bike!!!
Adios, mxxxxr fxxxxr!
Can I say that here?
I remember reading that the exes pictured above took a big risk in buying back the MoCo. It was written at the time that some even sold their homes and took out personal loans to raise enough money to buy in. Another interesting “tidbit” was that the deal was about 20 minutes away from failing when, at the last moment it was approved.
With respect to the metrics “dumping”…I bought a BRAND NEW ’81 GS1000G suzuki in 1983, with a couple of hundred dollars of “add ons” for $2,500. They Asian manufacturers WERE trying to drive Harley out of business by kicking them when they were down. The Gov’t did the right thing.
An amazing true great escape,
Today they have forgotten that the only thing that kept them afloat back then was a very small number of dedicated and loyal customers .
TJ is right a re read for the board would be a good start.
Should have photoshopped Warren Buffett in that photo. The Savior
re: tariff – The Asian mfg’s may have been trying to eliminate their competition with lower prices. So what?! It’s called business. It happens all the time. H-D didn’t like it and went crying to mommy (gov’t).
I bought a 1985 Honda CB700SC. It was actually 696cc (no tariff). But Honda gave it the hi-performance treatment and made it crank out 82HP! Their previous CB750 was only 52 HP. They were really thumbing their nose at the tariff on that machine.
I still have my “AMF” “Fat BOB” FX I bot brand new in 1980. Back then I went to the dealer and pointed to the one I wanted on the show room floor. The bike has gone thru a lot of changes since then but I have one owner painted on the oil tank! Long live the shovelhead! Adios Muther F—ker! AMF!
TJ. Martin
Your read is a nice twist on the actual history but it’s what one wants to read and believe.
Kudos to HD for becoming one of the greatest Marketing company’s in the United States.
The book that you read is way off on some facts. Especially the enacted tariff.
The tariff was nothing more than a delay tactic to restructure their [HD] manufacturing facility, management and emolyees to mirror Honda Marysville Ohio facility of which executives from HD visited prior to the tariff . Hence a political plea to enact a tariff’.
The dumping of bikes real story. Yamaha wanted to undo Honda’s stronghold and control the market therefore the Underselling [ flooding showrooms] started with new and different models and technology but Yamaha eventually had to give in by selling under cost losing money.
Halftime Score: Fuji-10 Terrence Tory-5
Spot on Woody!! Just what i was thinking , are TJ and TT the same Bell End?? You never do see them at a party together
I was there, ran my shop all through the 70s, did get tired of the bowling ball comments 😊
Joe Lomanaco….Every time I read a TJM post it makes me think of TT. Don’t know what happened to him but TJM’s postings remind me of TT EVERY time I read them.
I own an ’80 FLH. When I bought it the AMF tank badge was something I wished wasn’t there. But for quite some time now, I’m glad it’s there. And interestingly enough, I don’t get the pin setter comments anymore. Two reasons, one, the crowd is younger and many are not into Harley history too much. And two, all the older folks know that AMF saved HD’s butt, and are therefore grateful.
As far as the tariff, I guess one’s political philosophy comes into play.
All I know is my AMF Shovel soothes my soul in a crazy world full of twinkies.
I was impressed with the turn around. I bought my Red FXR for $5700 including hiway pegs,sissy bar and pad……….
Regardless when and why the tariff came about, that was 14 years after the fact…If not for AMF, HD would’ve been gone long before any thoughts of a tariff, as would the entirety of the American motorcycle industry at the time and possibly forever.
Everybody riding an American motorcycle today should be thankful for what they (AMF) did.