The results were dramatic.
After two years it only needed to sell 35000 bikes instead of 53000 to break even.
However
even though their bikes had become as good as the Japanese in the market place,it hardly made a difference.
H-D was caught in a price war between Yamaha and Honda who made their models cheaper than ever and flooded the US market.
H-D sales fell still further.
Eventually, the US government agreed to put heavy, but temporary , tariffs on imports of large Japanese bikes.
H-D used this breathing space to rebuild its relationship with customers.
It did this by emphasizing Harleys as a symbol of the American way of life.
Its test-ride promotion and the Harley Owners' Group made owners emotional 85th birthday celebration.
By 1989, H-D had jumped to 59% of the heavy bike market.