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[grc]

Maybe for his retirement we could paint him denim black and chrome his little beret.  Then he could be considered a new model and hang around for another ten years or so.


Jerry

[MIKEYTEE]

Now maybe a water cooled bagger!
Mike
 

[110tHunDer]

 
That's what I'm thinking.  Maybe he just couldn't stand how they integrated the radiator into the design and decided it was the last straw.

[sadunbar]

Maybe for his retirement we could paint him denim black and chrome his little beret.  Then he could be considered a new model and hang around for another ten years or so.


Jerry

Maybe operate his pacemaker with a MOCO fly by wire throttle!   

[sadunbar]

Maybe for his retirement we could paint him denim black and chrome his little beret.  Then he could be considered a new model and hang around for another ten years or so.


Jerry

With one of those little "skull" designs tattoed on his forehead!

[Twolanerider]

Maybe operate his pacemaker with a MOCO fly by wire throttle!   

It would suck if he tuned the pacemaker with a SERT then had to visit an ER someday but had left his dongle at home....

[RedDevil]

It would suck if he tuned the pacemaker with a SERT then had to visit an ER someday but had left his dongle at home....

I hate it when you leave the dongle!!

[Twolanerider]

I hate it when you leave the dongle!!

If you're lucky there's a cute PA to give you a hand keeping track of it.

[ultrafxr]

Whew, you guys are brutal.  No one is perfect but I'll say this for ole Willie G. - when the chips were down he put his azz on the line to save the moco from AMF.  If not for him and the others at that time I don't think the moco would be around to celebrate its 110th next year.  Is he perfect, hell no.  But on the whole has he been a positive for the moco?  I think so.

I mean the guy is a icon, a living piece of history.  The moco we love to hate is unique in the modern corporate world and Willie G. has been a big part of it.

So here's to you Willie G.   Job well done and enjoy your retirement.

[Twolanerider]

Whew, you guys are brutal.  No one is perfect but I'll say this for ole Willie G. - when the chips were down he put his azz on the line to save the moco from AMF.  If not for him and the others at that time I don't think the moco would be around to celebrate its 110th next year.  Is he perfect, hell no.  But on the whole has he been a positive for the moco?  I think so.

I mean the guy is a icon, a living piece of history.  The moco we love to hate is unique in the modern corporate world and Willie G. has been a big part of it.

So here's to you Willie G.   Job well done and enjoy your retirement.

No debate Jerry.  All the appropriate cudos and appreciation for what he's done and his role in bringing the company forward from the brink of extinction.  All kidding put aside he is and should be a hero to any that appreciate HD currently and the company's history.  He's still gotten a bit long in the tooth and has been recycling old ideas for a long time.  He'll be remembered for that too.

[harley56]

Whew, you guys are brutal.  No one is perfect but I'll say this for ole Willie G. - when the chips were down he put his azz on the line to save the moco from AMF.  If not for him and the others at that time I don't think the moco would be around to celebrate its 110th next year.  Is he perfect, hell no.  But on the whole has he been a positive for the moco?  I think so.

I mean the guy is a icon, a living piece of history.  The moco we love to hate is unique in the modern corporate world and Willie G. has been a big part of it.

So here's to you Willie G.   Job well done and enjoy your retirement.

I agree.  I've know Willie for many years and been extremely fortunate to ride to Daytona from Milwaukee with Willie and a small group of friends a number of times.  A nicer person you will never meet.  He would never say no to anybody when they asked to speak with him.  Bill and his department have styled, and continue to style what I believe are the most beautiful motorcycles in the world.  He's one hell of an artist in many ways beyond motorcycles as well.  It's a shame the retirement of such a wonderful and truly talented person has triggered so many negative comments.

[willyB]

Whew, you guys are brutal.  No one is perfect but I'll say this for ole Willie G. - when the chips were down he put his azz on the line to save the moco from AMF.  If not for him and the others at that time I don't think the moco would be around to celebrate its 110th next year.  Is he perfect, hell no.  But on the whole has he been a positive for the moco?  I think so.

I mean the guy is a icon, a living piece of history.  The moco we love to hate is unique in the modern corporate world and Willie G. has been a big part of it.

So here's to you Willie G.   Job well done and enjoy your retirement.

Tradition is a big part of the reasons why we own these machines. When the heart of the tradition retires one can only hope that the heritage of this company remains true to the culture.

If I only wanted a better riding, better handeling, better performing, better quality motorcycle then I would have bought a Honda or a BMW. But I prefer the Classic all the way.

Love my Harley Davidson!

[Willie D]

No debate Jerry.  All the appropriate cudos and appreciation for what he's done and his role in bringing the company forward from the brink of extinction.  All kidding put aside he is and should be a hero to any that appreciate HD currently and the company's history.  He's still gotten a bit long in the tooth and has been recycling old ideas for a long time.  He'll be remembered for that too.

Well said Don 
now if only manufacturing could keep up with engineering 
JMHO

[grc]

Tradition is a big part of the reasons why we own these machines. When the heart of the tradition retires one can only hope that the heritage of this company remains true to the culture.

If I only wanted a better riding, better handeling, better performing, better quality motorcycle then I would have bought a Honda or a BMW. But I prefer the Classic all the way.

Love my Harley Davidson!

But the two things do not have to be mutually exclusive.  There is no good reason why Willy and the boys in Milwaukee had to settle for bad quality and lousy customer service.  It was strictly a result of complacency and short sighted management, and will probably lead to the next great downfall in the history of the company.  For every guy like you who prefers the tradition, heritage and culture instead of best in class performance and quality, there are legions of young folks who just expect their stuff to work correctly without hassles.  I don't see those kids being willing to suffer the same shortcomings we have just because of some lifestyle crap or historical perspective.  It's a brave new world, and it's time for companies firmly rooted in the last century to drag themselves into this one.  If that means replacing the old farts with young blood and modern ideas, so be it.  Honor him for what he did to help save the company 30 years ago, but don't let that blind you to what needs to be done now to save it again.


Jerry

[Willie D]

But the two things do not have to be mutually exclusive.  There is no good reason why Willy and the boys in Milwaukee had to settle for bad quality and lousy customer service.  It was strictly a result of complacency and short sighted management, and will probably lead to the next great downfall in the history of the company.  For every guy like you who prefers the tradition, heritage and culture instead of best in class performance and quality, there are legions of young folks who just expect their stuff to work correctly without hassles.  I don't see those kids being willing to suffer the same shortcomings we have just because of some lifestyle crap or historical perspective.  It's a brave new world, and it's time for companies firmly rooted in the last century to drag themselves into this one.  If that means replacing the old farts with young blood and modern ideas, so be it.  Honor him for what he did to help save the company 30 years ago, but don't let that blind you to what needs to be done now to save it again.
Jerry

I'll drink to that