Harley Davidson Almost Closes
Back in 1981 H-D, after losing sales and having quality concerns with their motorcycles under AMF, gathers the signatures of 13 top executives for a buy back. In 1982 they visit a Honda plant to learn how to update the manufacturing process to meet quality concerns to bring the company back to the top. It's funny how things come back around when you understand that Harley Davidson was the one who gave Japan's motorcycle industry the know how about clean and reliable manufacturing processes in the first place after WWI. That is if you know that it was H-D who went to Japan, set up a state of the art factory back then and then gave them blueprints as well as the blessing to manufacture Japanese Harley's under the name of Rikku. These were motorcycles that are carbon copies of the American company. These same Japanese Harleys would also be used during WWII by Japans army.
1983 brings H-D in with the motor company still reeling from backlash and lost customer loyalty from the AMF years. They asked for tariffs relief from Japans motorcycle industry dumping motorcycles here in the states which flooded the market making H-D lose even more market share.
In 1984 Harley ended the ShovelHead era and brought out the Evolution power plants that were more reliable and tighter engines. These new engines also ran cooler and produced more power than their predecessors after seven years of development. But even with the addition of the HOG club the company is still struggling to survive and grow. The company has to try and over come years of consumer confidence from the AMF ownership which began in 1969.
1985 brings the company to it's knees which almost leads them into bankruptcy. The CEO uses marketing plans adopted from the Japanese to sway lenders to accept a new plan in which better production quality and marketing lead to the road to recovery. The company strives and excels in beginning it's long needed climb back to the forefront.
Only a year later,1986, they become publicly traded on the stock exchange. Part of the marketing is to target the main stream population while trying to distance itself from the loyal customers who kept HD afloat for so many years. It is an image that HD wishes to put behind them in order to move forward. The move angers the long loyal customers who believed in the company even with it's decline. These are the people who kept the company afloat for so long but also did not help the company to move forward. Prices on the new models continue to grow from what was once an affordable option from expensive automobiles to what is today the same or even higher a price. This was one way to distance itself from the hardcore biker and the steretype.
The other side of the coin is that the company relied on these customers and continued to live off of it's legacy and did little to address the manufacturing concerns until it was almost to late.
You have to understand though that HD is an American icon and has fought many uphill battles, supplied and helped military war efforts, the knowledge and willingness to look outside itself for new and better technologies and processes. They helped other country's excel in manufacturing processes and have done what no other American motorcycle manufacture has ever been able to do- survive in an ever changing world.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Homeless Man
I was on my way home on Friday and was not in a hurry to get there. All sorts of thoughts had been going in and out of my mind in scattering. Life at home is not what it should be anymore but I try to keep my head up. At least my job is going well and is much better than the one before it. As I said though, it seemed that I just could not focus on one thought as before I knew it- my mind was off in another direction.
Finally my mind stopped at the fact I had not checked my lottery numbers from Wednesday nights draw. Could it be perhaps that the winning number was in my pocket if even only for the $200,000 or perhaps a $100 prize? What would I do with all that money? Well, I don't even have to think about the answer to that question. Invest, spend , give to a person in need and of course have a good time.
Beside me on the seat, while I was thinking about all of this, were seven one dollar bills. The plan for these singles was already slated for my next set of numbers at the chance for riches. Caught up in my own problems, as there is much time to think during the hour long drive, my mind tries to push them back and think of happier things. One such thing is getting my little proto-type finished so it can be tested and shown. Another thing is deciding on which style of lamp I will produce. Then there are the other half finished projects that are waiting in the wings to try and help me forget the boredom and the fact I'm not getting any younger.
Then I pull up to a traffic light in the turn lane. Standing on the concrete median is a homeless man with a cardboard sign. The man is probably five vehicles in front of me and he's just standing there with the sign at his side. The words of someone I know pop into my head about these people who stand at these intersections with their signs. "Oh! Those people are just plain lazy and sorry. If they really wanted a job they could go find one." And so on and so on this person judges.
But I think to myself that it is not fair for me to judge these people. I don't know their stories and what happened to them. All sorts of people are finding themselves out of work and homeless these days. It could happen to anyone of us in the blink of an eye. Bad things happen to good people to you know. Who am I to judge them without knowing the circumstances?
As the light turns green and the traffic begins to move, this man just stands there bothering no one as cars file passed. As my truck rolls up to were he is standing he begins to turn around as I'm rolling down my window. We make eye contact and he sees the folded bills in my hand as my hand comes out the window. My truck is still moving along but slow enough that can take the hand off. He reaches for them almost surprised with his mouth open looking at the bills. From my hand he takes them as I head on my way. My window still down I can hear him hollering back at me "Thank you sir. Thank you very much."
I drive on thinking to myself, "Here I was thinking about my problems and dreaming of winning the lottery. While this fellow is down on his luck and needing a meal and a place to spend the night."
Seven dollars that I just had for lottery tickets to win the big prize was gone. While I was hoping at a chance for millions perhaps this homeless man was only hoping for a dollar.
I was on my way home on Friday and was not in a hurry to get there. All sorts of thoughts had been going in and out of my mind in scattering. Life at home is not what it should be anymore but I try to keep my head up. At least my job is going well and is much better than the one before it. As I said though, it seemed that I just could not focus on one thought as before I knew it- my mind was off in another direction.
Finally my mind stopped at the fact I had not checked my lottery numbers from Wednesday nights draw. Could it be perhaps that the winning number was in my pocket if even only for the $200,000 or perhaps a $100 prize? What would I do with all that money? Well, I don't even have to think about the answer to that question. Invest, spend , give to a person in need and of course have a good time.
Beside me on the seat, while I was thinking about all of this, were seven one dollar bills. The plan for these singles was already slated for my next set of numbers at the chance for riches. Caught up in my own problems, as there is much time to think during the hour long drive, my mind tries to push them back and think of happier things. One such thing is getting my little proto-type finished so it can be tested and shown. Another thing is deciding on which style of lamp I will produce. Then there are the other half finished projects that are waiting in the wings to try and help me forget the boredom and the fact I'm not getting any younger.
Then I pull up to a traffic light in the turn lane. Standing on the concrete median is a homeless man with a cardboard sign. The man is probably five vehicles in front of me and he's just standing there with the sign at his side. The words of someone I know pop into my head about these people who stand at these intersections with their signs. "Oh! Those people are just plain lazy and sorry. If they really wanted a job they could go find one." And so on and so on this person judges.
But I think to myself that it is not fair for me to judge these people. I don't know their stories and what happened to them. All sorts of people are finding themselves out of work and homeless these days. It could happen to anyone of us in the blink of an eye. Bad things happen to good people to you know. Who am I to judge them without knowing the circumstances?
As the light turns green and the traffic begins to move, this man just stands there bothering no one as cars file passed. As my truck rolls up to were he is standing he begins to turn around as I'm rolling down my window. We make eye contact and he sees the folded bills in my hand as my hand comes out the window. My truck is still moving along but slow enough that can take the hand off. He reaches for them almost surprised with his mouth open looking at the bills. From my hand he takes them as I head on my way. My window still down I can hear him hollering back at me "Thank you sir. Thank you very much."
I drive on thinking to myself, "Here I was thinking about my problems and dreaming of winning the lottery. While this fellow is down on his luck and needing a meal and a place to spend the night."
Seven dollars that I just had for lottery tickets to win the big prize was gone. While I was hoping at a chance for millions perhaps this homeless man was only hoping for a dollar.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Watch Out For The Dog
My dog hangs right with me when I'm at home. She sits at my feet when I'm typing and/or writing on my book or at the computer. Seems I can't get up and even go to the bathroom without her wanting to be right there. In the can with the door closed she will either sit right outside the door whining or hit the door and knock it open if it's not latched tight. Why, she even seems to think she is a lap dog and will hop up in my chair and lay on top of me wanting attention. If not in my lap then she can be found at my feet sleeping or keeping watch.
Motorcycles outside don't faze her at all but strange cars get her attention up. She seems to like the motorcycles going past and will watch them without much concern. Most dogs will bark and go crazy but she acts like it's nothing at all.
As with most dogs she knows how to let me know what she needs. She will pace from my chair to the door then look at me with a "Hey! I gotta go out man" with her head cocked slightly with a hurry up look. If her water bowl is empty she will sit down in front of me and put her paw on my hand. When the old hunger gets her she will knock her food bowl across the floor then walk away with a certain body language I don't know how to describe. If I don't get her food she does it again.
First thing in the morning when I just open my eyes and make any movement she begins whining and staring at me until I go into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee. Then I get her breakfast and she usually only eats if I stay right there.
But if someone comes to the back door at anytime while I'm asleep in my chair, or otherwise, she makes herself known by showing her teeth and barking loudly. If that person persists and reaches the door, she will hit the door hard like a mad dog and her hair standing on end. She's busted the Plexiglas panel that protects the glass more than once. On more than one occasion she has had to be put in the kennel just so the person can come inside. Otherwise, I'm afraid she might chew on them a bit. The dog is more protective of me than anyone else in the house for some reason. She did try to rip the throat of our other dog out when my son was playing with it and made a sound that sounded like he was afraid. She grabbed that dog by the throat and literally picked her up and slammed it against the television. She thought, I'm sure, that the other dog was trying to hurt him and wasn't going to let that happen.
So watch out for the dog when coming to my house...Unless your the pizza man. He comes to the front door and she whines and wags her tail for him. She knows when to expect the pizza man because the front door will be open wide. She will sit and look out the storm door searching up and down the road like a sentry. When the pizza car stops in front of the house the dog acts like a puppy and gets excited like a little kid at Christmas and I'd swear she's giggling with the sound she makes. But, if that front door is closed and she hears a knock or the bell ring...Wholly shit does she get mad.
Right now she is laying here blocking the doorway from this room into the hallway. As soon as she hears this computer say "Goodbye" She's going to be up in a flash to follow me through the castle.
My dog hangs right with me when I'm at home. She sits at my feet when I'm typing and/or writing on my book or at the computer. Seems I can't get up and even go to the bathroom without her wanting to be right there. In the can with the door closed she will either sit right outside the door whining or hit the door and knock it open if it's not latched tight. Why, she even seems to think she is a lap dog and will hop up in my chair and lay on top of me wanting attention. If not in my lap then she can be found at my feet sleeping or keeping watch.
Motorcycles outside don't faze her at all but strange cars get her attention up. She seems to like the motorcycles going past and will watch them without much concern. Most dogs will bark and go crazy but she acts like it's nothing at all.
As with most dogs she knows how to let me know what she needs. She will pace from my chair to the door then look at me with a "Hey! I gotta go out man" with her head cocked slightly with a hurry up look. If her water bowl is empty she will sit down in front of me and put her paw on my hand. When the old hunger gets her she will knock her food bowl across the floor then walk away with a certain body language I don't know how to describe. If I don't get her food she does it again.
First thing in the morning when I just open my eyes and make any movement she begins whining and staring at me until I go into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee. Then I get her breakfast and she usually only eats if I stay right there.
But if someone comes to the back door at anytime while I'm asleep in my chair, or otherwise, she makes herself known by showing her teeth and barking loudly. If that person persists and reaches the door, she will hit the door hard like a mad dog and her hair standing on end. She's busted the Plexiglas panel that protects the glass more than once. On more than one occasion she has had to be put in the kennel just so the person can come inside. Otherwise, I'm afraid she might chew on them a bit. The dog is more protective of me than anyone else in the house for some reason. She did try to rip the throat of our other dog out when my son was playing with it and made a sound that sounded like he was afraid. She grabbed that dog by the throat and literally picked her up and slammed it against the television. She thought, I'm sure, that the other dog was trying to hurt him and wasn't going to let that happen.
So watch out for the dog when coming to my house...Unless your the pizza man. He comes to the front door and she whines and wags her tail for him. She knows when to expect the pizza man because the front door will be open wide. She will sit and look out the storm door searching up and down the road like a sentry. When the pizza car stops in front of the house the dog acts like a puppy and gets excited like a little kid at Christmas and I'd swear she's giggling with the sound she makes. But, if that front door is closed and she hears a knock or the bell ring...Wholly shit does she get mad.
Right now she is laying here blocking the doorway from this room into the hallway. As soon as she hears this computer say "Goodbye" She's going to be up in a flash to follow me through the castle.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Class Action lawsuit Against GM For Chevy 3.1 Liter Engines Needed
You know, I've really had it with the GM 3.1 liter engine and it's leaking intake gasket. The one I have has had to be repaired three times already. The first time it was repaired it was still under warranty but the other times it was out of my pocket to the tune of over six hundred dollars. All of the regular maintenance on this car, including the 3000 mile oil changes, were done at a dealership in Burlington NC. The last time the intake was replaced was by a different shop only a year ago. The intake is now leaking again.
Now, the GM mechanic told us that this is a recurring problem with these engines because of the gasket, which is the culprit, between the aluminum intake and the Iron block. So GM knows there is a problem with all these engines and kept putting them in production cars over the course of several years. Monte Carlos, Lumina sedans and Lumina Vans as well as millions of other GM products.
Going on the net searching for others with this same problem is no problem at all. Just type in '3.1 Lumina engine problems' and you can read up on many who have been cheated by GM.
I've seen some really nice Monte Carlo's and Luminas for sale with low prices. Most of these cars are in great shape and I used to wonder why so cheap. After having ours for so long I know exactly why they are so cheap. People can't justify repairing them over and over which is every 15,000 miles or so and many with less miles. The only option is to pay out another $634 for labor plus the cost of the gasket and then unload the car on another sucker or just forgo fixing it and sell it cheap.
GM talks up quality products in their line up but that's just talk. The rest of the car is fine and great but what good is it if the engine is constantly breaking down? It's highway robbery to keep making the owners of GM 3.1 litre powered vehicles keep paying to have a known manufacturing defect replaced!!!
We've been told that this is a common problem and they all do it. So what, that's supposed to make everything better?
"Oh, okay Mr GM Goodwrench. Since they all have the same problem I feel much better now. Here's my $634 dollars and I'll see you in six months to have the intake replaced again."
( For Sale. 1998 Chevy Lumina, Maroon with grey cloth interior. pw, pl,cc, cold air, am/fm cassette, excellent paint and body, new brakes and tires. GM Dealer serviced until last year. Low miles, Oil changes every 3000 miles, intake changed every fifteen thousand. Hurry, won't last long, the intake gasket that is!!).
Hey! Who was that masked man? Oh! It was Mr. GoodWrench.
You know, I've really had it with the GM 3.1 liter engine and it's leaking intake gasket. The one I have has had to be repaired three times already. The first time it was repaired it was still under warranty but the other times it was out of my pocket to the tune of over six hundred dollars. All of the regular maintenance on this car, including the 3000 mile oil changes, were done at a dealership in Burlington NC. The last time the intake was replaced was by a different shop only a year ago. The intake is now leaking again.
Now, the GM mechanic told us that this is a recurring problem with these engines because of the gasket, which is the culprit, between the aluminum intake and the Iron block. So GM knows there is a problem with all these engines and kept putting them in production cars over the course of several years. Monte Carlos, Lumina sedans and Lumina Vans as well as millions of other GM products.
Going on the net searching for others with this same problem is no problem at all. Just type in '3.1 Lumina engine problems' and you can read up on many who have been cheated by GM.
I've seen some really nice Monte Carlo's and Luminas for sale with low prices. Most of these cars are in great shape and I used to wonder why so cheap. After having ours for so long I know exactly why they are so cheap. People can't justify repairing them over and over which is every 15,000 miles or so and many with less miles. The only option is to pay out another $634 for labor plus the cost of the gasket and then unload the car on another sucker or just forgo fixing it and sell it cheap.
GM talks up quality products in their line up but that's just talk. The rest of the car is fine and great but what good is it if the engine is constantly breaking down? It's highway robbery to keep making the owners of GM 3.1 litre powered vehicles keep paying to have a known manufacturing defect replaced!!!
We've been told that this is a common problem and they all do it. So what, that's supposed to make everything better?
"Oh, okay Mr GM Goodwrench. Since they all have the same problem I feel much better now. Here's my $634 dollars and I'll see you in six months to have the intake replaced again."
( For Sale. 1998 Chevy Lumina, Maroon with grey cloth interior. pw, pl,cc, cold air, am/fm cassette, excellent paint and body, new brakes and tires. GM Dealer serviced until last year. Low miles, Oil changes every 3000 miles, intake changed every fifteen thousand. Hurry, won't last long, the intake gasket that is!!).
Hey! Who was that masked man? Oh! It was Mr. GoodWrench.
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