Harley-Davidson Re-Brand, Still Harley-Davidson or Something Else?

Harley-Davidson re-brand is possible, the name won't change but a Harley-Davidson re-brand will be more of remaking it's image in the future. You may not have realized it but many of you have done your own Harley-Davidson rebrand through aftermarket parts. Is your motorcycle still a Harley-Davidson with a plethora of aftermarket parts? We change a lot of Harley-Davidson factory parts out with higher quality aftermarket parts. What if you swap the engine out to an S&S crate engine? Is it still a Harley-Davidson or is it now an S&S, is the S&S engine a Harley-Davidson or an S&S?

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Bikes on the channel:

Motorcycle: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200CP (Sportster 1200 Custom)

Custom Parts Installed:
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air cleaner
Harley-Davidson Reach Seat
Harley-Davidson Chrome and Rubber Collection grips
Drag Specialties Offset Clevis Footpeg Conversion Kit
Aftermarket Detachable Back Rest
Harley-Davidson Air Flow timing cover
Harley-Davidson Air Flow clutch cover
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
Screamin' Eagle spark plugs
Flipped Down Stock Mirrors

Motorcycle: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X (Sportster Forty-Eight)

Custom Parts installed:
Harley-Davidson Factory Security System
Screamin' Eagle Exteme Billed Air Cleaner (Black)
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Foot Pegs
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Grips
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Shifter Peg
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires

[davidfaria]

Yes, Harley is currently screwed up but I’m still proud to ride my old wide glide with Evo motor. I don’t feel shame at all.

[stevebeard]

To me, if it's a Harley motor and chassis/frame, it's a Harley no matter how many aftermarket parts are on it.

[Panotaker]

If you put a corvette motor in your Ford truck, it’s still a Ford Truck, not a Corvette.

[joojr]

It's not a Harley-Davidson anymore. It's MINE.

[scottarmstrong]

I agree 100% on replacement parts. If the Harley part failed, I'm replacing it with an aftermarket part. I'm not paying Harley for something they should have never let out of the factory. And I have to fix it myself! For me, I don't care if it's a Paughco frame and an S&S engine, it's still a Harley to me.

[brucebailey]

Don't give one F*** if someone doesn't like your motorcycle. You ride it and enjoy it. Live free and it's speeding only if you get a ticket. Ride safe and drop a sign to others' ride, too.

[donblack]

I’ve been riding Harleys since the 70s and still love the brand. However, a few years ago I went back to riding a carbureted Evo and that’s where I’m staying.

[andycarrillo]

Breast implants, lipo, and face lifts doesn’t change my marital status, so going S&S and installing aftermarket enhancements doesn’t matter to me…unless my identity is defined by a brand and the lemmings who champion being branded. Indie shops, i.e., Baxter’s Garage, and proven quality providers like S&S and Feuling will be the go-to guys when the OEM warranty expires! Don’t put new wine into old wine skins…

[electraglidewayne]

Harley lost me when they stopped the military discount.

[stevekoscick]

Personally, my bikes would be Frankenstein's. Parts from everyone and Harley. Whatever I deemed the best value or quality or a balance of both. They are still Harleys in my opinion.

[snowlothar]

Jeep is a highly customized vehicle that is an iconic American design originally, built with less than reliable parts that are owned, designed in or even built, other countries. They are modified with engines, suspensions and various parts that entirely change the vehicle, just like some Harleys. After that though, they still go to Jeep meets and events, and are called Jeeps. Being customized is part of what makes them a Jeep. The heritage of customization is part of the brand.

[robbaar]

Harley needs to have S & S build all they're engines.

[aarondeere]

My local shop think highly of s&s. If were to keep my harley thats way id go.

[charliefortin]

You are confusing people. That is part of the problem Harley has.
OEM parts are not Harley parts. It is in the name of. OTHER EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS OEMS ARE NOT HARLEY PARTS.
It’s no wonder customers leave the shop scratching their head and keeping their wallet closed.
And I am not against OEM parts per se. It is entirely possible for another company to improve on a Harley part. Just be honest about things and submit to empirical comparisons for the quality of the parts.
The last thing. I am driving a car that has an all original engine, 200k miles, that has never been apart or had a part replaced. I had a Yamaha 650 that never had a part fail or need to be replaced. All this talk of Genuine Harley parts, OEM parts scares the shit out of me. Why would I ever want to replace a cam shaft, oil pump or even valve covers on a Harley? Hmmmm?

[metalted]

I always upgrade any part I replace,
Even in my autos!!!
It’s a 100% upgraded part in my evo softail.

[Rif_Leman]

HD factory numbered frame, engine cases with flywheels and crank, heads, transmission case, and tins. If you have all of that from 20th Century Harley Davidson, then it is a Harley.

[FriedPi-mcyt]

As far as the DOT is concerned, the VIN is the bike. Whatever the VIN says it is, that’s what it is. Doesn’t matter how many aftermarket parts are on it. The reason I bought a Harley is because of the availability of aftermarket parts.

[paulperrigo]

I consider my sg a harley davidson. I'm not going to harley davidson for parts or service. They've shown themselves not to stand behind their products. What did harley do about the spring tensioners on the first twin cams, nothing. Customers had to eat entire motors in some cases. Don't trust them.

[miker]

In the 90s the aftermarket started growing as Harley became so greedy the average riders were disgusted. Companies like S&S who already made high quality parts like cams and carbs started to florish.
Other names like Wisco and Andrew's were making engine parts. Delcront etc. Making parts that exceeded the quality of OEM.
3 years ago my 2006 FLH twin cam 88... which was running fine, but had the infamous cam chain tensioners reached nearly 35, 000 miles. I had the shoes checked twice but couldn't live with it any longer. I barely looked at OEM parts. Ended up with S&S complete kit with cylinders, cam, oil pump and cam plate. Complete piston kit. At 100ci square. Equal bore n stroke. Head work on stock heads. A bunch of computer tuning... and I have a beast. I would have gone gear drive cam but Harley decided to put timken bearing on one side of the crank only... while my runout was very much within spec... I was shocked that they did something so cheap.
A lot of people are opening the cases and having the bushing side welded and machined for the proper timken on both ends of the crank... and a gear drive cam... and a truly bullet proof twin cam.
I love my old Shovelhead. And my twin cam. But I don't even look to OEM parts for anything I need.
And now? I'll never set foot in a dealership again.
And I dont care if anyone thinks its a Harley or not.
My shovelhead hasnt had and name branding on it since the 90s.

[pg]

Nothing wrong using non Harley parts, the aftermarket drives quality. However, there is a lot of junk out there, too. 👍🇺🇸