"Harry D" wrote:

I think they went tits up because they didn't keep up with what the market
wanted and people were dazzled by what the japs were offering.

Similar things happened to Harley-Davidson in the U.S. Plus, quality
control had got so bad, buying one of their machines was a work in
progress:
"What does it mean when a Harley stops leaking oil?"
"It's out of oil."

U.S. auto manufacturers are finally making pretty good stuff, but it took
years and years of the Japanese eating their lunch to get their attention.

And my ancient Troy-Bilt Rotovator (They never crossed the pond, did they?)
is going strong with the occasional oil seal and bearing (and a Chinese
motor).


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G