MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 11, 2003) ? Harley-Davidson’s Engine RemanufacturingProgram aims to give Evolution engines a second chance at life. So, it was fitting thatHarley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories provided GaryWetzel with a complimentary remanufactured engine for his 1993 Electra Glide. After all,Wetzel knows all about second chances.
A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Wetzel, now 55, was only 21 years old when hissecond chance came around. In January 1968, while flying door gunner with the U.S.Army’s 173rd Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, Private First Class Wetzel and his crew were shot down deep in enemy territory. The next 12 or so hours would prove to bea defining period of time for the young man.While trying to get his injured commander out of the cockpit, a grenade landed only afew feet from him. The explosion ripped his left arm to shreds. Despite the horrific injuryand loss of blood, Wetzel was able to use a machine gun and keep the enemy at bay forseveral hours.
“You don’t quit,” he said recalling his actions that day. “I didn’t want to die, not in themud, not in the slop.”
Wetzel’s heroic actions distinguished him, not only in the eyes of his fellow troops, but inthe eyes of his country. In November 1968, he received the highest U.S. military honor,the Congressional Medal of Honor, from President Lyndon Johnson. Since 1861, morethan 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation’s bravest Soldiers, Sailors,Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, but there are only 137 recipients alive today.
Wetzel, of South Milwaukee, Wis., remains steadfast to his love of country and his militaryties. Memorial Day marked the 14th consecutive year that Wetzel lead the Rolling Thunderparade in Washington D.C. on his Harley-Davidson. More than 500,000 riders rode in theparade to publicize the POW/MIA issue and assist disabled veterans from all wars.
“I lead the parade off,” Wetzel said. “Everyone goes behind me. We have helped get theremains of more than 400 GIs back to their families so they can get on with life. Is itworth it? Yeah, it’s worth it.
“People don’t realize when you look at freedom and what it stands for, sometimes theytend to forget the sacrifices our forefathers, and men and women have given up for youand I to be here.”
At a time when our country’s liberty is once again being put to the test, it was an easydecision for Harley-Davidson to honor an American hero with a remanufactured engine.
“Gary epitomizes the true meaning of what an American hero is,” said Paul James,Harley-Davidson communications manager. “His story of survival is incredible. We areproud to have Gary be a Harley-Davidson rider, and his new remanufactured engineshould keep him on the road for years to come.”
“I’m extremely happy with the new engine,” Wetzel said. “The FLHTC had 91,000 mileson it and it was getting to be time ? it was starting to shake around a bit. But, I like mybike. I’m partial to it and wanted to keep the old girl around.
“The remanufacturing program is a good deal in the sense that you’re basically gettingback a brand new engine.”Launched as a pilot program in 1998, the engine-remanufacturing program allowscustomers to get back in touch with their bikes’ initial power and performance bytargeting all 1340 Evolution engines on Harley-Davidson motorcycles built between1984 and 1999.
The program’s design is easy and convenient for customers. Once the motorcycle is takento an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership, mechanics remove the engine, package it ina specially designed container and ship it to Milwaukee. The engine is then completelytaken apart and inspected. The heads, cylinders and flywheels are all remanufactured tooriginal factory specifications. In nearly all instances, components are installed into newcrankcases as original crankcases typically do not pass the inspection criteria.
All paint is stripped off, allowing technicians to further inspect engine components.Customers can choose between three finishes: Black and Chrome; Silver and Polished;and Silver and Chrome for their engines. The process comes with many new componentssuch as rocker boxes, gear cover, valve train, fasteners, gaskets, bearings and more. Aremanufactured engine with black and chrome finish costs $2,195, whereas the silverfinish costs $1,995.
As Wetzel prepares to ride in Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary Parade, he said noquestion, there’s a definite tie with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and military veterans.
“It’s an American product, made here by American labor,” he said. “It’s a good feeling ?pride. You get on the H-D, it’s pride, and it?s American.”
For more information on the 1340 Evolution Engine Remanufacturing Program, visit anyU.S. Harley-Davidson dealership. To locate the nearest dealer, call (800) 443-2153, or access its Web site, www.harley-davidson.com. Harley-Davidson Honors Veterans with Genuine Hero Award
Through a new contest, an American legend is looking to honor an American hero.Harley-Davidson will present its inaugural Genuine Hero Award to a veteran fordedication and service to our country. Veterans, or family and friends of veterans areasked to write about how someone has made a positive impact on the country orcommunity through such characteristics as patriotism, citizenship, wartime heroism orcommunity service. Veterans may nominate themselves.
The winning veteran will receive $1,000 in Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts andGenuine Motor Accessories. Two other winners will receive $500 and $250 Harley-Davidson Genuine P&A prize packages.
Letters of 200 words or less should be sent to Harley-Davidson Genuine Hero Award,c/o Bellwether Communications, 510 College Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Include thenominee’s name, address, phone number, age, branch of service, dates of time in service,and year and model of Harley-Davidson motorcycle. All entries must be received byOct. 24, 2003.
