Total Motorcycle Community Forums

totalmotorcycle wrote:That is true that it did go out of business more than a few times. But so did Harley-Davidson (twice and needed a 2.3B bail out in 2009 to survive) and Triumph as well.

HD has never gone out of business. They have come close a couple times, but they never have closed the factories, sold off all the equipment and sold off the land like Triumph and the original Indian did. As for the bailout, it clearly states in your copied post that it was needed due to fiscal irresponsibility in the financial (ie - lending) arm of the company, not the sales and manufacturing arms.

totalmotorcycle wrote: For me, I still view them as the oldest American motorcycle company as the name did start in 1901, but you are right, that could leave the door open for interpretation. Say for example, someone buys the "Excelsior Motor Company" name, they started in 1896 or the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company which made motorcycles in 1901. I think there is more than enough room for a few good historic names to come back.

Buying the rights to the name does not mean you buy all the bragging rights and history associated with it. It's not about "interpretation", it's about fact. There is a reason why, for example, the Hinckley Triumph logo is different from the Meriden Triumph logo and it has a lot to do with the period where the company ceased to exist.

Not to split hairs I agree but H-D is a bit of a ? as well to me.
A they sold
B they bought it back
C they went public
neither family owns it anymore ?
How is this the HD of 1950?

And then there is Moto Guzzi:

"Going out of business since 1924"

Hehe - sorry Mike

BRUMBEAR wrote:Not to split hairs I agree but H-D is a bit of a ? as well to me.
A they sold
B they bought it back
C they went public
neither family owns it anymore ?
How is this the HD of 1950?

But they did not go out of business. The factories did not close. There were no gaps in manufacturing. Who owns it is not the issue, the continuity of product is.

Ok, let me try this from another angle. Royal Enfield claims to be the "Longest Continuous Production motorcycle". True or False? Why?

I don't know the Bowling Ball HD's were something I am sure Willie G and family wished didn't make it to retail. However I see your point well put.
Dave