You already could do that before they started to advertise the Switchback. Same thing with the 'dark custom' idea. I had black pipes and black air cleaner cover on my 1973 Sportster.

This isn't innovation, it's just re-packaging. I have quick detach fittings on my Sportster, bought them in 2010. If I put the same fasteners on Betty (using parts from MoCo's own catalog), I would have a Switchback, and Betty was built sometime in 2003. (Titled as an '04)

I'm a loyal Harley customer. But a can of black spray paint and new sounding names for stuff I already own is wearing thin. How about a engine that runs cooler? That I can use.

I hear ya! I also agree that there needs to be updates, upgrades to 2012. I think that the time is near for that as they will have to make all their engines water cooled. HD has just capitalized on their old image and you have to admit it still sells.

The biggest factor that I like about HD is the air cooled engines, very low maintenance. I have had water cooled bikes which do run better but loose a hose or pop a hole in the radiator and your done same as a car. At this point in my life I'm more interested in riding then wrenching.

The minute that all that water comes into play I will probably go out and buy the last air cooled bike they make.

You have my agreement for 90% of your rebuttal.

You know the old saying, "For want of a nail the kingdom was lost." As you know, I had a Sportster go back to the shop on a trailor because a four dollar flash cube under my seat crapped. Air cooled.

As for water cooling, I did blow up a GoldWing, but I also blew the front jug off of an air-cooled Super Glide. I should have anticipated something when that front pipe turned really blue really fast.

In that regard, the only thing I fear about being stranded on Betty is a blow-out on the front tire. Betty has a front spoked rim. Looks good, I'd still like a tubeless wheel. Just old jitters really, I put one of those jagged three inch iron decking nails through the back tire of my CBX. In fact, I am credited with the phrase "pucker factor"...

I've seen the blueprints for a patent on water jackets for a big twin Harley. I think the first liquid twin cam will be almost identical to our present air-cooled model. I still long for a 120R with flat top pistons, less compression, compatible with pump gas and whole lot cooler. I believe that bike will never be built, Peter Fonda never drove one and who cares what SOA think.

Ya' know, I hope someday you get to see Betty or Spinner. I trust your comment will be, "Clean designs, simple, bikes to be ridden." I think MoCo ought to design with those goals. I don't think those kinds of bikes interest RUBs with money, however.

I just bought a new stainless steel stove and it was covered with a protective clear plastic wrap...
after reading this post I thought how cool would it be if I could just clean up my bike really good and just cover it with that wrap, then when it got dirty just hose it off or peel that one off and re-wrap it....
Yeah I hate spending hours detailing instead of riding also...

I look at detailing and wiping my bikes down as both maintenance and a privilege.

After a ride, most guys like a cold beverage and a bit of time to unwind and reflect on the day. I like to sit in the garage, alone or with friends, wipe the bike down and kick back. Wiping and detailing also gives me time to check for leaks, squeaks and loose fasteners. I can even do this listening to the truck radio if it's pouring down rain.

But it's also a privilege. I get to own Harleys. There are millions of idiots on the business and social treadmill, tossing in their sleep, grinding their stomachs and wasting decades. I'm not part of that insanity, and trust me, I know insanity.

You guys are just harley haters,lol. The MOCO in their infinite genius were smart enough to incorporate there over stock into useable and marketable products. Where do you think Shovel/Pans and Evo/Shovels came from?

HD Moco and its designers have laid a few eggs...to be expected...nobodies perfect. I think if the MOCO were guilty of anything it was in trying to keep up with the competition..improvements for improvement sake and not because it was really necessary. 80CID needs to be 88",96" and 103? Really? Why? Cause Honda makes and 1800CC spaceship looking rig? 5 speed needs to be 6 speed why? Big Twin Twin cams? EFI instead of Carb...why? Carbs are more reliable than EFI. My 1983 FLHS is 80 CID and 4 speed, carburated...my 1998 is 80CID 5 speed,EFI. My 2001 is 88CID,5 speed and EFI. Water cooled isn't far off:

https://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/ ... ds-patent/

No you wouldn't have a switchback...different front ends...significant difference. Your spray can of black paint would in no way hold up and look as good as long as the factory application...now whose fooling who?

The innovation is there and its subtle but distinct, people reduce it to simply re-packaging. The 72 and the 48 side by side are hugely different once you get past the frame and the motor. I think the 48 does a great deal better in its efforted affect then the 72. I think the 72 looks like it came from 1972 styling..remember all that art deco metallic flake explosion that was popular back then.. mostly seen on those pedaled banana bikes? Narrow glide 21" front wheel on the 72,wide glide front end, fat tire on the 48. That in and of itself is much more then simple re-packaging. Or is repackaging just another word one can use to describe styling? After all there is a limit to what you can do to in the motorcycle styling department. It ends up being a random assemblage of choices of innovative repackaging of frames,handle bars,risers, exhaust,rims,gas tanks,front ends,carbs,etc...

When you reach into the same parts bin for components--and just paint or chrome individual pieces--it isn't styling, anymore than stuffing me into an Armani suit makes me a gentleman.

The entire back end--frame, engine, transmission and suspension--is exactly the same for every Sportster. In fact, every part that makes them different can be purchased out of their catalog and mixed and matched.

I'm thinking of doing just that. You can take the 4.5 gallon tank from a Low or a Custom and bolt it directly onto a 48. You can go to MoCo's own homepage and see that the transmission ratios are the same. The famous 'peanut tank' is from a 70 year old Hummer design.

Maybe I'll wear white socks today on the same feet I had yesterday. New and cutting edge 'fashion'?

Well since my bike is a '94 (when I bought it cash) that gets ridden hard and hasn't been back to a dealership since '95 I'd say I take really good care of it and do all the wrenching on it... just cause I hate spending time bent over cleaning with a back ache that would bring tears to a normal person doesn't mean I don't do it... My bike is also clean enough to eat off of and when my girl sits on the tank backwards I do

As for the "privilege" of ownership I thank the powers that be that I was lucky enough to get the exact bike I always wanted since I was a lad. And after every ride I go in change out of my riding clothes and then spend time with a cloth and polish making sure that the next time I'm lucky enough to throw a leg over it I'm just as proud of it as the day I brought it home.

I can hate cleaning (for all my own reasons) but my ride is always just as proud of me as I am of it.

A little S100, rinse and off to the races,lol. Nothing to it.