About 2 years ago, I was wandering around a shopping mall in Sriracha, Thailand. I was there for about 6 weeks on business. When I went up to the 3rd or 4th floor, I came across a recruiting drive for the Triumph factory, which was undergoing a large expansion. They had posters explaining the expansion, job descriptions, and 3 bikes on display (Speedmaster, Rocket and I forget the 3rd bike (not America)). Like all large displacement engine bikes in Thailand, all 3 bikes are heavily taxed in country, interestingly enough. This is to promote the smaller engine (<500 cc) bikes/scooters. Anyway, they were impressed that I had an America (they called it something else, like a code) and we had a nice chat about bike assembly, loudness (Bubs vs stock pipes) and the Thunderbird.
I did take/post before some pictures, if interested. I can try and re-post them.
Mebbe your friend was thinking of Harleys???
