In college one of my classes in business required that I come up with a working model of a business that would be successful. So just like my paper that eventually turned out to be about Lyndon Johnson. This took some time to figure out.
So after a little thought I came up with a Harley-Davidson dealership that was no in any town. But at an intersection of a couple of big highways. This put me in the middle of two market areas. It also removed me from being close to any other businesses. I guess it was close to a small town in southern Indiana called Yankeetown.
Now in 1980 Harley Davidson was about out of business. Plagued by poor workmanship, old technology, low sales and a parent company (AMF) who was probably more interested in bowling balls than motorcycles. They did come up with a few cool models. The 1977 Low Rider and the 1977 Sportster Cafe Racer. Both of which would be in my stable if I had anything to do with it. I have ridden a Low Rider. And could of bought one in 1979 for $1500 but stupidly did not. The XLCR I never rode but did like the look.
So this place would be out in the middle of no where. Making it the place. Do to Indiana law I could put in gas pumps and apply and get a beer and wine license. This is a time before the Harley rage came about and you had to wait for a year to get one. Most dealers had many previous model years sitting there with dust on them. So being forward thinking I bought a Harley Davidson. This was the day and age that you were a big dog if you had a Kawasaki ZR1.
The Harley Davidson was so mechanical. For lack of a better term. Everything was just out there. With a function. Not some pretty boxed up compact and modern looking. But with a little tweaking in would run pretty fine. I was lucky enough to get a FXE that was provided with the correct transmission. The FXE was supposed to get a close ratio four speed transmission instead of a FLH (Touring Model) wide ratio. Makes a big difference when you are trying to accelerate quickly. The old Harley Davidson motorcycles were a points, plugs and condenser ignition. There were no rev limiters. I took mine to Tom in Indiana. Told him to make it hot. He did. Balanced and blue printed. Ported and polished. That old Super Glide could now eat a ZR1. I could always beat the Japanese bike on top end and also surprise them on taking off. My bike was also modified. But a friend of mine that was a mechanic. We went to a junk yard and bought every Ford Motor Company power steering oil cooler we could find. One of the worst things about a V twin is that the back cylinder is not getting as much air for cooling. So by cooling the oil the cylinders stay cooler. Making the engine last longer and run better.
All things considered the 1975 Super Glide was a very reliable motorcycle. I beat that bike so hard that the front wheel went out of round. I bought an cast wheel from the Harley dealer in Evansville. I just called him on the phone and met him at his house with money as he only lived down the street.
The Harley business model got an A. But the professor could not understand why anyone would want to get in that type of business. Who knew that Harley would soon take off so well.
No comments:
Post a Comment