| Re: Smaller Harley for the masses.
HD has a financing arm and I caught a small blurb in the WSJ that HD is having a bit of trouble with financing as well. That, in itself, could account for the downturn in stock value.
HD needs to address smaller displacement motorcycles in order to sell in Europe. They also need to bring the ancient engineering inside the V-twin up to present day standards. Even today, HD uses a nylon rubbing block, manually tensoined, to tension the primary chain...amongs't other things. Ancient engineering with much more reliable modern day solutions available. There is an inherent design flaw in the engine (why so many aftermarket engines like S&S are available) that limits total displacement as well as compression ratios. That is the space in the case itself that bridges the gap between the cylinder spigots. If you machine the cases at all, you loose the bridge. HD is well aware of the problem...in the late model engines, HD has machined the bridge and installed a high strength through bolt to keep things together but even that has it's limitations. | 
Smaller Harley for the masses.
