If you feel like you read before the same story in my Blog, you are almost right. Except that the owners are different, and yes it’s a new American IronHorse bankruptcy that I am announcing! And guess what? The press release states, as usual, that after the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing, the company intends (again) to reorganize and manufacture “state-of-the-art motorcycles”! But of course, it will be a new “right-sized” facility!!! (I love euphemisms) And of course, all vultures are ready to get on the cheap 1 of the 100 unsold motorcycles, or at least a few parts or piece of equipment or tools. As usual (it must be nice to sell several times the same stuff) Liquid Asset Partners LLC is in charge of liquidating to the best bidders everything that would be “in excess to the new downsized operation” (I just told you, I love euphemisms).
“We have no illusions, the market is very soft and we are prepared to deeply discount everything.” says Bill Melvin Jr, CEO of Liquid Assets Partners.The liquidation sale starts Wednesday July 15th at the American Ironhorse Factory 4600 Blue Mound Road in Forth Worth, TX and is open to the public everyday until everything is sold. Hours of operation are 10am till 7pm Monday thru Saturday and 12noon to 5pm on Sunday. Buyers may view bikes online at Liquid Partners or come directly to the factory, to see where and how they were made. Amen…
Don Meredith used to sing, “Shut out the lights, the party’s over”, but this company has been partying in the dark for years! I used to feel sorry for these guys, but now, it’s beyond being comical, it’s a sick joke! Hey Ironhorse, enough is enough. Scott, lick your wounds & tear your ass back home. AIH is a laughing stock both in the industry & with the public. American IronHorse is DEAD! Bill Rucker & Tim Edmondson have left the building! The public does not want their motorcycles anymore and they haven’t for several years. AIH couldn’t sell bikes when the market was still booming. They would be better off starting a new company from scratch. Why would you keep trying to sell the public something they have clearly showed that they don’t want! I don’t think there is any dealer in the country that would take on the AIH line. Like I said, who’s going to buy these bikes, Joe Q Public aint!
As Cyril concluded his article. Amen.
What made Scott Meyer think there was life at AIH. I was cold dead when he paid millions for junk with a bad name. I can’t comprehend. And he wants to reorganize? Are you kidding? Still money to lose? Freaking unbelievable.
AGAIN? HOLY CRAP ENOUGH ALREADY!
Over & Out,
Jeff
What, no bail out money?
Their bikes look so 1999. Horrible machines out of a bad cartoon. And what exactly Scott Meyer did since he acquired the company? No design. Just trying and failing to sell all the junk??? How many millions did he lose just to play the motorycle facturer? American business at its worst. I can’t believe he wants to reorganize. There is nothing left except a bad taste in the mouth of AIH owners and dealers.
Today’s best job is auctioneer. It used to be that you made money taking a percentage of what people made. Now it’s from what people lose.
Seriously? Just end the crap and cut your loss’ while you still can. This is beginning to get a bit rediculous and not needed. Go away peacefully this time AIH
What happened to the deal that the New Titan corporation was looking at buying AIH assets awhile back on this blog, Cyril?
This reminds me of American Quantum a motorcycle manufacturing company based in Florida that I was employed with for awhile.
In Quantums case those running the company were getting investors to give large amounts of money to them and then they were spending large amounts of it to entice more investors as opposed to making the changes to the motorcycle needed to make it reliable.
OH Yea those running the company were making a lot of money and living a lavish lifestyle and much of the money being invested whent there.
I see some good motorcycle manufactuers that have worked hard and producing a good product because they spend the time to make a dependable product at a fair price.
We have all see the growth in the motorcycle industry and those who see it as a opportunity to make money. Some make money through hard work and supplying a good product, others not.
There are also some companies that are trying to raise money to build motorcycles and I wonder how they are going to survive.
I know that Crocker is trying to produce motorcycles and have promised to have x amount built by the end of the year.
I also know even before production they have been in court over unpaid bills. Where will they be able to go if this is happening already?
I am sure there are other companies as well.
I will not be one of those loosing money by investing , LOL I don’t have any and live the way I can afford by working .
The vultures have already been circling down in Texas. Chad from Bikergarage101.com has been down there for a couple of weeks now looking over the dead carcass. The parts market is getting flooded and driving prices down and all this negative talk of bankruptcies and liquidations,ect are putting the consumer off and driving them away. Is there any good news out there? It seems like the only business that is up is the liquidation business.
I toured the facility in 2003 with a friend of mine who worked for Ironhorse at the time. I was floored at how huge it was and how little they were using of the building for manufacturing. I was told it was for growing the business. I couldn’t imagine that it was ever going to grow that much. I’ve been in many corporate facilities that big but every square inch was being utilized. At the time, they were using the space for people to “learn” how to ride. If you could ride one of the dirt bikes to the end of the building and back, they would try to sell you a Texas Chopper! Everyone at AIH in management, was way too full of themselves. I met many good, hard working people at the place , who were well grounded and very good at what they did. Quality is a management issue, and when you sacrifice it for the bottom line, everything goes downhill from there.
I hope all of the really good quality people they had working there will find jobs and be able to utilize their talents at a business that cares about quality and their talents. I’m pretty sure the “dream team” is gone forever.
Enough…All this is doing is further destroying the motorcycle industry. It did not work , it’s not going to work , Give it up…All this is accomplishing is to drive prices down to where the company’s that know what they are doing and are reputable and stand behind the products can not survive also because of the lack of profits.The prices going down and down may be a bonus in the short term for the consumers but in the long term death to the industry.
The fat lady’s 3rd 4th encore?
Once the brand is down the drain you can “reorganize” your a** off, it will not work regardless of the money you throw at it. Face that reality and give it a rest already.
I’m sure this won’t be the last motorcycle company headed in this direction… several others are in big trouble.
Unless the economy gets a jump start — quickly and dramatically — you’re likely to see more “going out of business” posts soon.
Troy
they would try to sell you a Texas Chopper
That is all they lived on since when 03-04, brutal bikes and like fashion they got so passe in a very short amount of time!!!
AIH recently announced they will no longer honor their warranties to current owners.
They gave no notice or disclosure to dealers or consumers regarding this.
What they don’t tell you is the liquidation sale will be flooded with approx 600 additional, unsold bikes, to se be sold fof huge discounts, negating any value for present owners.
‘Dealer owned bikes? ‘Too bad.
‘Owe on you financed AIH, more that the liquidation discounted price? ‘Too bad.
‘Need factory support? ‘Too bad.
‘Got a lemon? ‘Too bad.
This should be the final nail in the coffin for AIH.
Who in their right mind would trust AIH inf they do attempt to reorganize?
Did a hole and bury AIH.
I own an 06 Slammer and have not really had any issues
Now I guess I have to start fitting some after market stuff is there anybody that is still selling any parts?
I’m not understanding why so many AIH haters. Guess I don’t get it because I’m just a consumer. ‘05 Ironhorse Tejas, no mechanical issues(knocking on wood), love it, looks great, runs hard, turns heads everywhere.
I am saddened by their demise. I have a 2007 Slammer and feel that it is one of the most unique looking bikes I have ever seen. I’m also worried because I still/did have a warranty. My dealer is still willing to back my bike, but now at his cost. Sucks for all of us that the economy has wiped out a potentially great builder. I would have liked to see how they met the Wolf (BDM). Which by the way felt cheap compared to my sled. Oh well, shit happens.
Rumors are a bitch… especially when they are true. It looks like the slippery slope continues to catch people on their way down. I’m just sitting back to enjoy the show. Shame on you.
GREED is the key to the third door in hell. Haven’t you learned that yet? You still like to learn the hard way, huh.
“Oh, the jealousy, the greed is the unraveling. It’s the unraveling and it undoes all the joy that could be.” ~ Joni Mitchell
RIP AIH
This news does make me sad, but all I can say is that my 2007 Slammer has been no trouble at all. The only issues I’ve had with it were the speedo, the cheap gas caps, and the junk mirrors. The motor has run flawlessly and the bike rides like a dream. The speedo was an easy fix with Brooke at Thunder-Heart.com (just shipping costs), I found Gas caps that don’t buzz for $15.00 at BikerGarage101.com, and mirrors are easily purchased on ebay. The original mirrors would spin with the crack of the throttle. Now the crap bolt-ons have been replaced and the bike is awesome. I bought the bike to ride not trailer, and I have logged over 10K miles on it in basically 2 seasons. Up here in northern N.H. the season is pretty short. I just wonder how many AIH bashers are people that actually ride.
“Did That Trailer Come With Fingerless Gloves?” Live Free Or Die N.H.
I REMEMBER THE MOTOR CO. ALMOST WENT UNDER IN THE EARLY 70′S.
SOME OF YOU, NOT ALL OF YOU SHOULD START CRANKING YOUR CACULATORS INSTEAD OF YOUR MOUTHS. I DARE ANYONE TO PURCHASE A FRAME ,MOTOR, TRANNY, CUSTOM WHEELS&PAINT SUSPENSION AND ALL OTHER HARDWARE NEEDED TO COMPLETE A SHOW ROOM READY TO SELL TEXAS CHOPPER. AND THEN YOU CAN PAY SOMEONE TO PUT IT TOGETHER. THOSE COSTS ALONE WILL WELL EXCEED THE AVERAGE SELL PRICE OF THAT BIKE. HD HAS SOME GLARING ISSUES RIGHT NOW AS WELL. THE RIGHT PERSON CAN MAKE THIS CO. FLY. SEE SMALL COMPANIES PAY ATTENTION TO COSTS BECAUSE THEY NEED TO MAKE MONEY. GUYS WHO CAME FROM MONEY 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 COULDNT RUN A FEVER. THEY DONT PAY ATTENTION TO THE PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT. IRON HORSE MAKES A GOOD BIKE. THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR DEALERS,CLIENTS, AND SELL EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THEIR BIKES.
I just called a great guy named Jack, from the Ironhorse dealer in Connecticut. He says they are still in business but, are not honoring warranties prior to the 2010 models soon to come out I guess. He did help me with my bike over the phone. My Slammer was running strange, (low idol, spitting, pinging and popping). He suggested resetting my sensors. He ran me through the easy steps, and now it runs great. To reset your sensors, all you have to do is:
1.) Turn ign. to run w/out starting for 60 sec’s. then turn off.
2.) again, turn ign. to run w/out starting 3 times in concession. each time for 15 sec’s.
…..on 15 secs./ off……3 times.
3.) from off, start it twice. each time running 10 sec’s.
4.) last step is to start it again cold and leave it running until HOT!
I know I’m a little off topic, but, this seems to be very valuable info. for AIH fuel injected bikes. And it’s free!!!!
the way i see it i own a classic production custom now ; a fading one of a kind. lets face it. anything can be fixed or fabricated or reolaced with other parts. iron horse owners dont panic. my 06 texas chopper runs fine. things break yeah but so what. stop moaning and find a way to fix it. what do you think indian owners do.everybodys custom bike is like a hi maintenance woman needs constant attention……thats why we by them cause when they’re right theirs nothing like them. i can keep mine running cause im pretty mechanical and if i cant fix it i’ll find a small repair shop who can. the bike has decent components: daytec frame,s&s 111,metzler tires,progressive suspension,rivera clutch,roadmax tranny,dual front rotors, led and so on. some of the components are cheezy but when they break upgrade them. 20 years from now when you pull the cover off your bike or it shows up at a rally it will still turn heads and there will always be a buyer for a custom bike who enjoys working on them as well as riding them. iron horse bikes always stand out. there are so many harleys now that they just all blend together. i see some of these occ bikes (theme bikes) great work, but the clearance of a bottle cap. not functional to ride at all. too much tv and too much money.they best get focused on making money or they coul be next. build us a custom that we can ride with more dependability and the custom worl will turn.
Many thanks to JC, Tyler, Frank, HD4me and LiveFreeOrDie for their comments; it’s interesting to compare the opinions of admitted AIH owners with those who seemingly are not. Since taking delivery of my 2004 Slammer four years ago this month, it has not given me a single performance or maintenance issue — even the much-maligned speedo has functioned flawlessly. Aficionadoes may today see the passe in designs that pulled down awards when they first appeared, but I can tell you how John Q. Public still reacts every time I pull out of the garage: they treat my scoot like it’s some kind of movie star. I’ve had everyone from Banditos to cops ask me if it’s okay to touch it. Staring at it sparkling in the summer sun, one young woman could think of no words to express her reaction — so she just pulled off her halter top. This is all very nice, but what really binds me to my ride with an affection that is immune to shifting biker opinion and corporate ups-and-downs is the feel it gives me when I’m on board: its “I’m with you, man!” torque response, its lusty power-up curve, its King of the Jungle voice in a high-speed cruise. Riding an AIH can be like hanging on to a thoroughbred horse that’s decided it just wants to run. The HDs I owned pretty much did my thinking for me; my AIH demands that I assert my will over it every minute we’re on the move, or it will start riding me. Love isn’t logical; it just is. I grant AIH’s critics all they say about depreciating value and corporate ineptness, about today’s better deals and tomorrow’s better bikes. I don’t care. I’ve got something that no one else ever will, and AIH’s demise only intensifies that sense of the unique. Am I a fool? There’s a good chance that I am. Let’s go ask those people who, long ago, bought Duesenbergs.
Bongo, I do not know if your a fool but you do seem to have quite the imagination that most do not have. Bongo is for sure a fitting name for one that beats his own drum to ones self invisioned beat.
Those that who, long ago bought Duesnburgs are dead now or have not the recall and the dead are hard to get info from but if they could talk they may talk with you about their hand made parts made with their hands and the art of craftsmanship and time to achieve the excellance of their craft at the time, a far cry from an assemblance of parts from thru out the world at a pricepoint determinate of the end product.
Enjoy, not all can live life in your world.
Hey, Grayhawk — loved your message! You sound like you’re tons of fun. But it’s like I said before, man: I don’t care what anyone thinks of my bike — or of me, for that matter …
Hey Bongo, I never saw a bike I didn’t like something about, just waded in on the Duece comparison,lol. Enjoy the ride
Haveing not owened but done a fare amount of off site testing for many year’s with AIH it has always been a company that strived to make a good product. Not always making the mark but the mark has been set pretty high if you dont think so look at Victory and HD testing programs.
It is agreed that the real issue has always been greed and mis management. I have been stuck with several test vehicles since the Bankruptcy each of which have a excess of 60K on each unit, very early fuel injected units with highly experimental parts on each and the only problem incurred other than the usual brake isues has been the TPS which is a direct replacement from HD.
One of the Outlaws actually put out 113 hp at the rear wheel at pikes peak, if that isnt inpressing I dont know what is for a 117 motor. bottom line from me is if you own AIH ride it be proud of your bike and dont expect ever to get what you think it may be worth because the bike will not be able hold any value in the face of what has happen, I just like many of you are out alot of your investment, oh yea did I mention they owed me 75K now I’m stuck with bikes that I can ride and enjoy but I’d had much rather been able to pay the tuition.
I own a 2006 Ironhorse Legend and love the shit out it. No problems what so ever and it is not a trailer queen. I ride the crap out of it and enjoy the hell out of it. Great bike! I would like to see the company make a come back.
I have an 07 Texas Chopper. THe only problem I’ve had was the speedo and Thunderheart took care of that for just the cost of postage. I bought it used 1 yr old with 800 miles. The guy I bought it from paid around 36k for it. I got it for 18k . Chrome pkg, diamond cut heads higher level paint, matching wheels & brake rotors. I couldn’t have built this bikemyself for what I paid for it and it sure wouldn’t have come out as nice looking. Everywhere I go I get Thumbs up from little kids , hot chicks and grandma’s & grandpa’s. I’d like to see more aftermarket parts for them in my area. (Detroit). Theres not even a dealer in the area. I have to go to the middle of the state and that place just was doing warranty repairs. No aftermarket stuff.
Thanks bongo, Damn we look good! For the rest of you, I just got the word from Thunderheart, that for $200, they would update your fuel injection. you getit back with the necessary usb cable and software cd, to fully program your fuel injection. These guys are very friendly and seem 100% supportive. Thier number is 615-616-1129.
hey i bought the 04 stalker this this bitch is bad except for the fucking speedo ive sent it to brooke @ thunderhart still no luck i found a loose wire under the bike but cant find were it goes. any you guys had the same problem there is no conection to the tranny it sucks it reads zero all the time. hey also in everyone trashing scott he bought at a bad time don’t blame him . you’d do the same thing if you were in his shoes. hes sunk millons in aih i hope every thing works out .you guys that got em love em. we need to stick together. and help each other with our problems.thanks i had a couple micros tonite and had to vent aih forever doug 406-465-0168 i need my speedo weres the pick up on the y2kframe
Well I just found out the bad news today and it is NOV 12. Due to being swamped with work, school and recovering from an accident I am kind of behind in the news category. But oh well my bike runs great, looks great and is just awesome. Some people just get pissy and bitch bitch bitch because they have nothing better to do. Thank god I got my bike at an ARLEN NESS shop………hahahahaha the warranty is still honored there. Oh yeah can you guess the model????????
When I purchased my bike in ‘07, I went with the the longest extended warranty available. Fortunately the company that provided the warranty was not American Ironhorse and it is still honored. Although I have never used it, it is comforting to know it is there if ever needed.
I recently put my Slammer up for the winter after logging 4500 miles on it this summer. I know that does not seem like much, but that is in addition to the 8000 miles I put on my Road King and 2000 miles I put on my Softail. It is nice to have a spare bike or two in case of emergencies! The Slammer is not a bike that I consider taking on the 2000 mile trek to Sturgis because I haul everything I need for two weeks with me. There is no room to strap a tent or clothes on it.
I love my Ironhorse and don’t regret buying it one bit. It will be a long winter here in New Hampshire.
I have an AIH bike and it’s been a pleasure to own & ride. I met Scott M. in Daytona Beach in ‘08 and he seemed set on getting AIH Co. back up and running. Bad situation to try and go thru with the economy in the state its in.
If the is indeed the “final farewell” its been a helluva ride.
For those that have had good experiences, consider yourselves lucky.
I own a 2007 Slammer. There are numerous problems with the bike I purchased. From what I have heard from former AIH workers, AIH knew there were many problems, but AIH was just trying to offload as many vehicles as possible, regardless.
Motor: The lifter when out on the motor at 500 miles. This in turn damaged other parts leaving me with a $1400 repair.
The gas tank labeled at 5 gallon capacity would only allow usage of a little less that one gallon before the bike stalled for lack of available fuel.
The fuel tank was unvented causing the tank to pressure up and fuel to ’spray out and leak at the filler openings and o-rings underneath the left tank.
When I rode it the first time, the rear caliper clamped down on the rear rotor and would not release, burning up the rear rotor bluing the steel. Had to replace the rear rotor and brake pad.
Rear suspension collapsed, so fender dropped on rear tire scoring the tire deeply.
Mirrors won’t stay in place a flop around wildly.
Speedometer went out twice.
Looks great standing still!
I own a 2007 Tx Chopper. Spedo took a dump with about 130 miles. Thunder Heart fixed it and have had no other problems. Ebay is really dragging down the value, but I guess just keep riding!
Another AIH owner here with NO issues at all. 06 Tx Chopper w the 117 engine.
All I get is the looks of AWW when Im riding down the road.
GREAT bike.. and for the long trips.. the Road King is my ride!
See you all on the road.
To Viper:
I had to push my bike a couple of times before I realized that the tank only holds about 3 gallons of gas and not 5. Because the gas gauge was not working, I had no early warning. Fortunately I was within a stone’s throw from a gas station and it wasn’t that big of a deal. It was just a little embarrassing pushing a $50K ride. The 2nd time I was next to a house where I bummed some gas. My tanks would also spray gas at fill-ups because of the cheap caps. Go to bikergarage101.com for an easy $15 fix.
Your other problems seem to be a little bit out of the norm, but your warranty should have covered them all. With only 500 miles on the bike, I’m guessing that your troubles began within the first month of your 2 year warranty. Good luck!
I own a 06 Texas Chopper, I live in Wichita, KS ho,e of you know who. my bike is different and runs great no issues. I hope and would love to see AIH make a come back and would even be an advicor to help them make that come back this is a great bike, Oh and dont forget to get your parts at AIH in Huntville, TX.
I own a 05 texas chopper with a 124ci. Love my bike and wouldn`t part with it fow a million dollars. Its not the bike, Its the company. Those of you slammy the bike probably don`t own 1, and if you do and are still complaining about warruntee`s you shouldn`t have bought it in the 1st place. If you can`t afford to fix it don`t buy it. What were you going to do when your waruntee ran out? Wine because they wouldn`t fix your bike? Get over it. Its still the best looking chopper comparable to the big designers for half the price. Take of your sleds and stop wining.
I own a 2001 Tejas, the first year for that bike. I just put a starter on it and replace the ignition switch but other than that no problems. I love the bike and will never get rid of it even though its a hardtail on bad Michigan rds. I hope they do come back better than ever. I work for GM so I know all about shi**y mgmt. I hope they get people that care about quality and not quantity.
I have an 07slammer and have loved every minute of it. Yes, I have had a few issues with it like some have mentioned but for the most part it has been and still is a great ride. I am 54 and have put 14K on it! No, I would not ride it cross country but who knows maybe I will try it one day. I get compliments all the time and someone is always taking a pic of it wherever I am. Nobody evern just passes me on the rode until they spend their 5 minutes pacing me from behind gauking at it. Yes it sucks about the AIH company for sure, but as for the bike goes, I still luv it as much as I did the day I drove it off the lot. Hey the ZUMO 550 GPS takes care of any issues with the speedo as I use it for speed and mileage so I know when to get gas and I actually read it.
Gents;
I own a 07 Outlaw, S&S117….and the bike is a ton of fun…I’ve built 5 hardtail choppers from 70’s or older doners and let me say the Ironhorse is the most fun to ride. My old stuff gets a ton of looks but when I want to go somewhere give me the softail. Yes, the speedo went out…I mailed it to Thunderheart and it’s worked great since….other than that it’s the same stuff all bike have issues with so I keep my ears and eyes open and keep things tight and in tollerence. If you want a extremely reliable bike then buy something slow and boring….what do you expect the result would be when you put a 120HP vibrator on two wheels…the damn thing ain’t a cadallac….it’s a pro street drag bike…jheeeezzze…
I own a 07AIH slammer and its the best bike i seen yet under 50k, im planning on keeping it and never selling it may be one day 25 years from now it would probably go down as a classic.
well, i have an 04 texas chopper. and as many horror stories ive heard maybe ive been lucky. i enjoy the bike.
i guess everyone has there own likes and dislikes.
For those of you with an Ironhorse with no problems, I am thrilled for you. I own an o4 AIH Outlaw, I love that bike in a way only another AIH owner will understand. BUT I have had problem after problem with that bike. I do understand its a custom and there is always gonna be something that needs to be tinkered with. I have no problem with that. but 6 months after buying my dream bike my inner primary bearing and seal went out, then my shocks went bad, I have a vibration that is so bad it has broken 3 sets of mirrors. I am about to put my 3rd starter in it. I have spent well over $5000 dollars in repairs that should have been covered by a warranty that was voided shortly after buying the bike. And by the way my Dealer (who is a snake)is the only one in CT. who someone earlier spoke so highly of. As much trouble as I have had I still love that motorcycle. Whats not yo like 27 shows, 31 trophies. it is one stunning motorcycle.
Oh yea and by the way on the bike mentioned above I forgot to mention that the weld on the tank has broken twice. The tank had to be removed, welded and then repainted on the bottom to cover the grey primer. And then put back on the bike! Sure wish I had a warranty!!!!!!!!
My biggest maintenance investment seems to be tires. The Metzeler 300 wears out around 5000 miles, and it’s $500 to get it changed every summer. I get about 10K on the front. Does anyone recommend any other brands like Avon? Does Dunlop sell 300 series tires?
i put a new set of vance and hine big radius pipes on my 04 texas chopper.
the sound and performance has been enhanced. and i think it looks better too.
thinking of changing speedo though. works ok until it gets wet.
any suggestion as to what to replace it with? thanks!