| Author | Message | ||
     Road_thing |
I guess Polaris "morphed"... | ||
| Road_thing |
And yeah, if you count Confederate in that category, I guess Big Dog, American Iron Horse, etc. etc. have to count, too. | ||
| Davegess |
I hadn't thought of China, I bet most are part of larger companies however. I was really thinking of Erik as the first and all the harley clones, victory, etc are after 1983. I think Triumph restarted in 1983. Of course the street bike company really didn't start until 1987. If I say American Street bike than I can go back to the 1920's I think. I don't think there are any start ups after the depression started but that is way before my time. | ||
| Madgaz |
Heres a bike company from scratch Ozy style http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcken/hunwick.html I don't know if they are still in production. MadGaz | ||
| Usroute66 |
I wish those darn Italians would hurry up and deliver the 04 Aprilia Tuono to the dealers. I have a pocket with a hole that is burning  But, they may be on a holiday! | ||
| Rex |
and don't forget the new norton motorcycle in portland.....REX | ||
| Peter |
Hey Henrik,  | ||
| Rocketman |
I don't believe many would agree to Triumph as having started up again in the 80's Dave. As I understand it, John Bloor bought the name, production rights and some original manufacturing equipment and employed some original members of staff. Many see it as a resurrection - not a new company using an established name. Were there any pre-war Japanese producers? I thought Honda started in the late forties? Rocket | ||
| Davegess |
I think honda did start in the 40's. I think the other japanese companies are part of congolmerites like Kawasaki is part of Fuji. | ||
| S2pengy |
Dave Crocker started with speedway bikes and went to street bikes... Hand made customs,trany case as part of the frame, aluminum gas tanks, engine size to order, very very cool.. If not for the total lack of available materials due to WW2 who knows.... | ||
| Grndskpr |
Honda i thought started after WWII, when H. Honda took a bike and installed a WWII generator motor, so his mom could get to and from the market with less effort than on a bike, or so the story goes As far as Aprilia morfing from bike to Motorcycle, i think thats a really an unfair view of the company, considering that if you read the history, and how he started I really think Dave needs to add a definition to what a motorcycle company is, or what would be a fair view of what makes up a motorcycle company Is Derbi a motorcycle company, they make a winning gp 125 bike, but here in the US, they only have 49cc bikes/scooters Is a company that produces under 1000 bikes and does not have to conform to EPA standards, considered a motorcycle company??? Does that jet powered bike count, they only make 1 or so every couple of years How about, being part of a motorcycle company that brought inovation, to the motorcycle market, with a producation based in the US, and the only independant start up to be purchased by HDI, also one of a select few to sucseefully grow from a garage to a modern manufacturing facility in the US, since WWI, sorry, i cant write to save my soul, i am sure you could think of something much better than that later Roger | ||
| Glitch |
Dave, does Fischer count? | ||
| Hootowl |
I think anyone who builds and sells two wheeled motorized vehicles counts. Nothing wrong with making bicycles. Ducati does it. The wright Bros did it, or worked on 'em anyway. Check out Ducati's first "Motorcycle" http://www.tower.org/museum/ducati/ducati.html | ||
| Phillyblast |
Aaron, I posted a pic of the M2 here It's not as high res as Josh's, and it's got a "lump" of some sort on it | ||
| Josh_ |
Philly, you got one of those 70's Penthouse camera's? Or is that just Vaseline on the lens?  | ||
| Phillyblast |
Nah, it's just a crappy digital camera and some operator error - some of the pics are really crappy looking, others came out great - I never bothered to play with the light settings on the camera when I was out there. Besides, Paul said he looked better in soft focus | ||
| Phillyblast |
Or is that Peter? Are those the short gloves? | ||
| Davegess |
So do think I would be safe to say the Buell was the first to launch a new American street bike since WWII? By this mean a bike that meets ALL the various federal and state regulations, comes with a VIN etc. Race bike and custom builders would not count under this definition. | ||
| Josh_ |
But would Confederate fall under that? I would not count the clone/knock offs, but I would not lump Confederate in with them. At any rate, I *would* use that line in the resume then be prepared for a nice conversation if the topic came up. | ||
| Ccryder |
Speaking of US bikes Fisher 650cc, 77hp, Superbike ????????????????? I don't think so!!!!!! Neil S. | ||
| Blake |
Glitch, Fischer will count when we can actually purchase one of their motorcycles. Until then, nothing is certain. | ||
| Glitch |
guess I shoulda thought of that I'm just sittin her in my office wondering if this day will ever end. | ||
| Turnagain |
>> I would be safe to say the Buell was the first to launch a new American street bike since WWII? notice emphasis. | ||
| M1combat |
77HP and 56lbs of torque and they say they "won't go there" in relation to Buell being an american Superbike? Fuck them. Did you look at that chassis/suspension geometry? It's exactly like all the Jap bikes... WTF ever. I can't wait to meet one of those on Hwy 89 just west of Prescott AZ . | ||
| Aaron |
Thanks, David! | ||
| Rocketman |
Was it not Crocker in the 30's, who produced an ohv motor - and a faster one than any HD of the time, that were put out of business by HD because HD bought all the wheels from Crocker's supplier thus stopping their production? Rocket | ||
| S2pengy |
Rocket You are correct but also the complete lack of aluminum and steel due to the WW2... | ||
| Stevep |
Aaron, This is the only one I could find of your M2. SteveP  | ||
| Stevep |
Sorry It could not fit, Will try to email it SteveP | ||
| Phillyblast |
This is good news for certain members of Team Elves, I would think. Until it's finalized, lets all make sure we take our roadside early AM pictures on the Nevada side, though |
