roadrash's upside down HD avatar

[speed]

In the spring RR started using the upside down HD logo for his avatar and asked if anybody knew what it meant. I don't think anybody really answered, but it was pretty obvious the flipped logo expresses discontent with the Moco.

The first thing that popped into my head was that somebody was out to kill the Moco. In years gone by a flipped patch always meant the person wearing it had killed somebody. However, after the LEOs figured it out people started doing it for various other reasons.

Anyways, I stumbled across an old Iron Horse article from the early '90s called the "flip your patch" campaign to object to the direction that HD was taking at the time. The Moco were forcing all the old mom and pop dealers to build upscale boutiques, or their dealership was revoked. This was the primary reason for the campaign.

Ironically enough the Moco did this to Robinson HD where I bought my Road King. Unfortunately the same thing is happening to Cameron's HD, which is the best HD dealer I have ever done business with - period.

It's too bad the "flip your patch" campaign didn't succeed.

So what do you say RR - did I figure it out?

SM

[FATboy05]

I always figured RR had issues with H-D, bit never really gave it much more thought.........this post was a good read.....think you might be on to something SM

[Mungo]

Wow - interesting. I was wondering why all the HD dealers were building these huge dealerships that are going to be hard to pay for. I didn't know they were extorted into doing it.

[Fubar]

I never knew the flipped patch was for a confirmed kill....I know plenty who wear it for the latter reasons...mostly oldtimers

[speed]

Originally Posted by Fubar

I never knew the flipped patch was for a confirmed kill....

Not the HD patch in particular. The upside down thing started with wearing a patch from a police force where the person doing so had either assaulted, or killed a LEO from that force.

Once the cops caught on the upside down thing kind of went by the wayside.

SM

[Squirrel]

Interesting info.

[roadrash5]

Thats it Grand Poobah
That and in late 95 or 96 was going to join Milton HOG but the sporty I was running Had to much aftermarket parts , it was not 85% HD I could not join. So the next day I went out and bought a HD emblem and had it sewn on upside down.....
L8R RR
Proudly flying a upside down patch since then Fuck The Factory (Half decent bikes but shitty politics )

[speed]

Long time no see roadrash. Good to see you again.

Cheers,
Speed

[Harleyrulz420]

I think its seriously time to look at buying imports! Since Hd is building metric bikes anyway, and dropped Buell when it finally started making a truely fast bike says loads!

I have been peaking at Triumps, the Rocket is amazing. Yamaha builds some nice bikes too I see. And a lot less expensive!!

If Hd doesn't get their head out of their ass and make AMERICAN BIKES that truely kick ass, I am moving on!

[tradrockrat]

Hey - Harleyrulz420 - post an intro so we can greet ya and get to know ya. We're a tight knit bunch here and tend to meet up, get together and party. We like to know who we're talking to.