Made in the USA?

[Meistro]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if all 1800 VTXs were made in the USA. I heard somewhere they were. I have a 04 VTX 1800S. If they were made here, were they made with union labor? I have some issues with people who are pro union and USA made items (a good thing ) but have a hard time with companies who are not from the USA.

Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Gene

[dan3]

Assembled in Marysville, Ohio. I do not think Honda plants are union, but that might be wrong.

[badvtx1300]

Honda plants are not union and yes the VTX's were made in Marysville, Ohio.

[Chicago-Spike]

Yep, Marysville Ohio is where the VTXs and the Goldwings were made. Honda has since moved back to Japan this past year, so the next line of Wings will come from Japan

[aardvark]

Thats not enough for die hard "buy American" folks,since the profits go
back to Japan...

[oasysco]

Originally Posted by Meistro

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if all 1800 VTXs were made in the USA. I heard somewhere they were. I have a 04 VTX 1800S. If they were made here, were they made with union labor? I have some issues with people who are pro union and USA made items (a good thing ) but have a hard time with companies who are not from the USA.

Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Gene

Made in the US for US folks, but the company is foreign. not sure about union labor.

[HDKLR]

You're right, Aardvark. I used to ride with a guy that would argue with me all the time about not giving his money to "the Japs." I told him, "Honda is a Japanese owned company, but they employ more American workers than Harley-Davidson." He'd always come back with, "Yeah, but they're still a foreign owned company." Eventually, I quit trying to get through to that bozo. Ironically, when I met him, he drove a Toyota pickup...

I wonder what the OP's "issues" are with unions? After working for dozens of years for non-union employers, I finally had the "privilege" of working for a union employer this summer. It ain't what it's cracked up to be. I wasn't impressed...

[aardvark]

Originally Posted by HDKLR

You're right, Aardvark. I used to ride with a guy that would argue with me all the time about not giving his money to "the Japs." I told him, "Honda is a Japanese owned company, but they employ more American workers than Harley-Davidson." He'd always come back with, "Yeah, but they're still a foreign owned company." Eventually, I quit trying to get through to that bozo. Ironically, when I met him, he drove a Toyota pickup...

I wonder what the OP's "issues" are with unions? After working for dozens of years for non-union employers, I finally had the "privilege" of working for a union employer this summer. It ain't what it's cracked up to be. I wasn't impressed...

You know how you stop those "money goes to Japan" discussions..?
Ask them about all the Made in Japan parts on the Harley,and where
the money goes when HD buys those...



as far as Unions,I was a Teamster for several years,and found non union jobs worked out better for me...
I had a job where I was laid off each year in November,and called back usually in April..
Still had to pay my dues while I was laid off..

[1800 spec 3]

[QUOTE=HDKLR;2582677]You're right, Aardvark. I used to ride with a guy that would argue with me all the time about not giving his money to "the Japs." I told him, "Honda is a Japanese owned company, but they employ more American workers than Harley-Davidson." He'd always come back with, "Yeah, but they're still a foreign owned company." Eventually, I quit trying to get through to that bozo. Ironically, when I met him, he drove a Toyota pickup...

QUOTE]


There is another side to the coin that is not being told. I had a friend that served in WWII. He finially broke down and bought a Honda Civic a few years back because of the gas milage. He died last year. He said it was very hard to spend money with people who tried very hard to kill him while he was alive.

Kind of made me think.

[Chicago-Spike]

I too worked for one of the largest unions, the UFCW. I pad my dues, woprked hard at Dominick's for 5 years, up through the ranks to dairy/frozen manager. Then, a new contract was signed, for new employees. I soon saw my hours go from over 45 a week, to 35, then 30, finally they stopped at 26 hours. I had 2 new kids working under me and the other d/f manager. All I did then was take inventory and order stock up. Complained to my union several times, and was told "Tough-S*** pal" But they still wanted my money.

Unions are part of the reason for this financial destruction of this country. Companies can't afford to operate here under union control. Unions had their time and place, now there are plenty of labor laws enacted since that time in the 30's&40's.

[Chicago-Spike]

Originally Posted by 1800 spec 3

There is another side to the coin that is not being told. I had a friend that served in WWII. He finially broke down and bought a Honda Civic a few years back because of the gas milage. He died last year. He said it was very hard to spend money with people who tried very hard to kill him while he was alive.

Kind of made me think.

Yep, had a Polish neighbor who lost uncles and grandfather to the German's in WWII. He said the same when we purchased a BMW. This argument I can see the reason why they won't buy from a certain country

[aardvark]

Originally Posted by Chicago-Spike

I too worked for one of the largest unions, the UFCW. I pad my dues, woprked hard at Dominick's for 5 years, up through the ranks to dairy/frozen manager. Then, a new contract was signed, for new employees. I soon saw my hours go from over 45 a week, to 35, then 30, finally they stopped at 26 hours. I had 2 new kids working under me and the other d/f manager. All I did then was take inventory and order stock up. Complained to my union several times, and was told "Tough-S*** pal" But they still wanted my money.

Unions are part of the reason for this financial destruction of this country. Companies can't afford to operate here under union control. Unions had their time and place, now there are plenty of labor laws enacted since that time in the 30's&40's.

Yep,my wife is in the UFCW,and is manager of a department
in a grocery store...
The whole focus now is "cut Payroll",and although she is full time,
she only gets about 30 hrs a week...
They tried to cut her pay,but her Union did managed to put a stop to it...

[Knight]

Originally Posted by aardvark

Thats not enough for die hard "buy American" folks,since the profits go
back to Japan...

Honda is a publicly listed corporation, any dividend paid would be paid to all shareholders no matter their country of origin

The VTX design and or it's approval for production was made in Japan.
Some of the plastic on the bike manufactured in Canada.

Gene , I'm guessing your computer was assembled in Tijuana Mexico with parts shipped from China and the clothes you are wearing made in Asia?
Buying a Harley isn't going to help as all their clothing accessories are made in Asia too

[1800 spec 3]

Originally Posted by Knight

Buying a Harley isn't going to help as all their clothing accessories are made in Asia too

I sorry if I missed it. How did Harley get into this??????

[cybrhick]

So do you have more of an issue with foreign companies employing American workers, or American companies employing foreign workers?

Think about it... Then go buy the Harley that it sounds like you are trying to justify

[Chicago-Spike]

Originally Posted by cybrhick

So do you have more of an issue with foreign companies employing American workers, or American companies employing foreign workers?

Think about it... Then go buy the Harley that it sounds like you are trying to justify

If that is what he is trying to justify, he better find another bike other than a Harley. The have LESS parts made here in the USA than did the VTX or Goldwing

[1800 spec 3]

Originally Posted by cybrhick

So do you have more of an issue with foreign companies employing American workers, or American companies employing foreign workers?

Think about it... Then go buy the Harley that it sounds like you are trying to justify

OK-- why are the laughing smilies not working--- I really need them now!

(insert grin here)

[ghost rider]

Sorry for the hijack

I can tell you the union never put groceries on the table when i was growing up. My dads non union job did when he was laid off. I agree with Spike. I also think the unions are the ones that put themselves out of jobs with there outragious demands from companies. The auto unions are not technical jobs. You can train a monkey to put six bolts in to hold a seat down. Im not trying to degrade anyone who works at the auto plants I used to be in one. I finally said one day Im not going to live my life from lay off to lay off never knowing if I am going to be going back to work after next model change over. The union worker who gets paid 90% of there pay while laid off is ridiculous. The world doesn't owe you anything go out and work for it like everyone else. The unions protect lazy workers and the consumer pays for your wages not the company or there shareholders.

Sorry I know this will put someone through the roof . I promise never to write in another post about unions.

[Chicago-Spike]

Originally Posted by ghost rider

. The union worker who gets paid 90% of there pay while laid off is ridiculous. The world doesn't owe you anything go out and work for it like everyone else. The unions protect lazy workers and the consumer pays for your wages not the company or there shareholders.

Sorry I know this will put someone through the roof . I promise never to write in another post about unions.

Exactly how I feel. Like most positions that grew to include POWER, unions have overstepped their original purpose, to protect workers and fair pay for all. Now, it is all about how much money the union can make off both workers and companies. Kinda like, getting paid by 2 competing companies

[Greybeard]

My first experience with the unions...

Many years ago, I got a welding job in a small non-union company that made re-bar for construction. The owner died and his wife took it over, and it never made her much of a profit but there were about 25 people that had jobs there.

The union reps came in and wanted us to join the union, and after they had thier say, we (the workers) took a vote and decided NOT to join. The union didn't accept that and started picketing the front gate, so the union trucks wouldn't cross the line to deliver the steel or pick up the rods.

After several weeks, the owner just got fed up and closed the company, putting all of us out of work. I'm not sure how that benefitted the union, but it sure put a sour taste in my mouth.

I've never been in a union, but I have had several run ins with them, over things they had no business with. If THEY want to picket or whatever, that's fine, but don't throw nails, etc. in front of my car if I cross a picket line.

Right now, the transit workers union (not sure, I think it's in Philly) is out on strike, while every one else is just happy to have a job.

They DID have thier place years ago, but now are just going too far.

Guess you can tell I'm anti-union, but they brought it on themselves.

[aardvark]

Originally Posted by ghost rider

Sorry for the hijack

I can tell you the union never put groceries on the table when i was growing up. My dads non union job did when he was laid off. I agree with Spike. I also think the unions are the ones that put themselves out of jobs with there outragious demands from companies. The auto unions are not technical jobs. You can train a monkey to put six bolts in to hold a seat down. Im not trying to degrade anyone who works at the auto plants I used to be in one. I finally said one day Im not going to live my life from lay off to lay off never knowing if I am going to be going back to work after next model change over. The union worker who gets paid 90% of there pay while laid off is ridiculous. The world doesn't owe you anything go out and work for it like everyone else. The unions protect lazy workers and the consumer pays for your wages not the company or there shareholders.

Sorry I know this will put someone through the roof . I promise never to write in another post about unions.

I didnt get paid while laid off..I had to take unemployment,
and pay Union dues from that.It sucked..


ps...I think at Ford,they actually have trained Monkeys building cars...

[mike n]

Originally Posted by ghost rider

Sorry for the hijack

I can tell you the union never put groceries on the table when i was growing up. My dads non union job did when he was laid off. I agree with Spike. I also think the unions are the ones that put themselves out of jobs with there outragious demands from companies. The auto unions are not technical jobs. You can train a monkey to put six bolts in to hold a seat down. Im not trying to degrade anyone who works at the auto plants I used to be in one. I finally said one day Im not going to live my life from lay off to lay off never knowing if I am going to be going back to work after next model change over. The union worker who gets paid 90% of there pay while laid off is ridiculous. The world doesn't owe you anything go out and work for it like everyone else. The unions protect lazy workers and the consumer pays for your wages not the company or there shareholders.

Sorry I know this will put someone through the roof . I promise never to write in another post about unions.

Like someone said before me the unions were needed on th 30s and 40s to protect our workers but NOT now,their usefulness is coming to a close..
Now how do we get back our jobs that have gone overseas?

[cybrhick]

One more thing. How far back in the process do you want to take it? Where did the raw materials come from? How about the machines that made the parts? How about the parts that make up the machines? Where are we getting the oil and fuel for the finished product?

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by cybrhick

One more thing. How far back in the process do you want to take it? Where did the raw materials come from? How about the machines that made the parts? How about the parts that make up the machines? Where are we getting the oil and fuel for the finished product?

I know, I know (but I ain't tellin')

[jethro69]

Originally Posted by aardvark

Yep,my wife is in the UFCW,and is manager of a department
in a grocery store...
The whole focus now is "cut Payroll",and although she is full time,
she only gets about 30 hrs a week...
They tried to cut her pay,but her Union did managed to put a stop to it...

Same here , wife is a UFCW department head for a grocery store , as far as cutting hours for full timers , its up to the members to get their unions to push for language in their next contract to get full timers a guaranteed 40 hours . Thats how it is in my wifes store but part timers are not guaranteed a set number of hours .I am a Teamster truck driver and I absolutely think there is still a need for labor unions in this county . Don't believe me , lets take Walmart for example the nations largest employer outside the federal gov't . just google "walmart labor violations" and read the pages of violations that walmart paid fines for committing . Yes I agree that some unions get that " we're not giving in at all " mentality and are too shortsighted to see some of their actions might actually put the companies they work for out of business , I still think that for the most part they are needed in some trades and have been nothing but a good thing for me and my family .

[jethro69]

Originally Posted by aardvark

ps...I think at Ford,they actually have trained Monkeys building cars...

that earned Ford a Billion dollar profit this year . Oh and monkeys are just fine as long as they pay their dues .

[Knight]

American unions have been providing good paying jobs ..........................
..........to foreign workers in foreign countries for years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBtKMRQjWe4

[locodude]

If you like having weekends off, thank the unions. If you like the idea of having a safe place to work, thank the unions. Been working a union job for 12 years, and holding a union official position (at the local level) for 6 for those. Unions have not sent jobs overseas, corporations have. Unions have been a scapegoat for many years regarding job losses but the fact is greed has claimed many more jobs than any union ever has. Do you really think that all the jobs that have moved overseas were union? Do you now pay less for those products who have moved? Are wrangler jeans cheaper now? Do union firestone tires cost less than non-union goodrich? Get off the union's back if it weren't for unions we'd all be working under conditions like they do in China and making Chinese wages.

[aardvark]

Originally Posted by locodude

If you like having weekends off, thank the unions. If you like the idea of having a safe place to work, thank the unions. Been working a union job for 12 years, and holding a union official position (at the local level) for 6 for those. Unions have not sent jobs overseas, corporations have. Unions have been a scapegoat for many years regarding job losses but the fact is greed has claimed many more jobs than any union ever has. Do you really think that all the jobs that have moved overseas were union? Do you now pay less for those products who have moved? Are wrangler jeans cheaper now? Do union firestone tires cost less than non-union goodrich? Get off the union's back if it weren't for unions we'd all be working under conditions like they do in China and making Chinese wages.

Its too bad most Americans dont have the work ethic that the Chinese have.

[aardvark]

Originally Posted by jethro69

that earned Ford a Billion dollar profit this year . Oh and monkeys are just fine as long as they pay their dues .

Hey,monkeys have no problem getting paid for reading the newspaper
a few hours eveyday either.