Restructuring Expense (Restructuring Plan Reserve Recorded In Accrued Liabilities Related To The 2011 Plan) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 12,856
Restructuring expense	3,561
Utilized - cash	(517)
Utilized - noncash	(2,099)
Balance, end of period	13,801
2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	4,123
Restructuring expense	542	6,516
Utilized - cash		(134)
Utilized - noncash		(236)
Balance, end of period	4,665	6,146
2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] | Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	4,123
Restructuring expense	542	6,382
Utilized - noncash		(236)
Balance, end of period	4,665	6,146
2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Restructuring expense		134
Utilized - cash		(134)
Utilized - noncash
Balance, end of period
2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Utilized - noncash	(30,000)
2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	8,733
Restructuring expense	3,019
Utilized - cash	(517)
Utilized - noncash	(2,099)
Balance, end of period	9,136
2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] | Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	8,428
Restructuring expense	571
Utilized - cash	(156)
Utilized - noncash
Balance, end of period	8,843
2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] | Accelerated Depreciation [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Restructuring expense	2,099
Utilized - cash
Utilized - noncash	(2,099)
Balance, end of period
2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	305
Restructuring expense	349
Utilized - cash	(361)
Utilized - noncash
Balance, end of period	$ 293