
Picture from 1916
The history of the
Harley-Davidson motorcycle began in Milwaukee in 1903. In Milwaukee, Bill
Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson developed a one-cylinder motorcycle.
Around the turn of the century the gasoline engine was developed and the
one-cylinder motor was introduced. In 1901 the Indians were the first
motorcycles and in 1903 Mitschell, Merkel and Yale.
This motorcycle was
initially built for racing and was powered by a one-cylinder gasoline
combustion engine.
In 1903 in Milwaukee, Bill Harley and Arthur Walter
Davidson developed a one-cylinder motorcycle. It was a reliable and even a
beautiful cycle. And ... someone bought it !! In 1905 they had made 11
motorcycles, in 1908 it was 154 and ... they had a company, in a little wooden
barn, that was build by Davidson's father.
The small company extended quickly
and another member of the Davidson family, William, joined them. In no time they
hired about 20 employees in an especcially build stone-factory.
In 1909 Bill Harley made a
project of the first 1000 CC V-Twin. It produced a modest seven
horsepower. The 45-degree V-twin would become one of the more recognizable
images of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This V-Twin stayed with HD for a
long, long time. Maybe it's hard to believe, but Harley-Davidson didn't
invent the V-twin !! When Bill Harley developed one, he just followed the
tendency of the time.
|
|
|

Arthur & Walter Davidson, William
S. Harley and William A Davidson (1915)
| 1910 brought the legendary "Bar
and Shield" logo that was placed on their motorcycle. This would become
the defining symbol of Harley-Davidson to this day. Numerous first place
winnings in races, endurance contests and hill climbs give Harley-Davidson
more recognition. The "F-head" engine is introduced in 1911. It will be
the power workhorse until 1929, when the "Flathead" engine is introduced.
|
|
The year 1912 saw further growth of the
Harley-Davidson Company. Construction began on a new 6-story factory.
Harley-Davidson also became an exporter this year and their first overseas sale
was made in Japan. In the states there were now over 200 dealerships.
1914 saw the addition on the
sidecar to the Harley-Davidson. The Company also formally put their hand
in the ring of motorcycle racing this year and would soon dominate the
sport and become known as the "Wrecking Crew".
1915 saw the
emergence of the three-speed sliding-gear transmission. In 1917, one-third
of all Harley-Davidsons were sent overseas to the U.S. Military to fulfill
their patriotic call and to aid in the war effort. The following year,
roughly half of the motorcycles produced were sold to the U.S. military.
In the end, about 20,000 motorcycles were used in the war, most of them
Harley-Davidsons. By this time Harley-Davidson was the biggest motorcycle
factory in the world with nearly 2,000 dealerships worldwide.
| 
The F-Twin "Silent Gray Fellow" from
1915 was called that way due to its color and its silent
motor
|
|
| In 1918 Harley-Davidson was the
biggest motorcycle factory in the world. They even survived the
depression. The V-twin was Harley's specialty, so the company tried to
defeat its only remaining rival ... Indian. But these days were the
thoughest, because the motorcycles got out of date and the prices of
automobiles decreased (the T-Ford was born).
Indian
|
|
Therefore, Harley Davidson tried
other technical enterprises, like manufacturing parts, side cars and even
airplane motor-engines, but they also improved their own products.
The 1920's saw some changes to the appearance of the motorcycle,
which are more recognizable today. One such change was the identifiable
teardrop shape gas tank. In 1926, single-cylinder engines were once again
available, having been discontinued in 1918. In 1928, the first twin-cam
engine and front wheel brakes were available on the Harley-Davidson. With
this modification, the motorcycle could reach speeds in excess of 85 mph.
|
V-Twin from 1923
|
|
The 1930's and subsequent years saw more record
breaking and award winning Harley-Davidson's. In 1932, the three-wheel Servi-Car
was introduced and would become a familiar commercial and police vehicle. Along
with appearance changes such as the "eagle" design, which was painted on all
Harley-Davidson gas tanks, changes were also made to the engine.
These
days the biggest Harley ever appeared , the 1340 CC. This motorcycle became
Harley Davidson's trademark. 1936 also became a milestone. That year the
Knucklehead was launched and this motorcycle also became the victory over the
Indian. And when in 1947 the Panhead was driven out of the factory, Harley
Davidson was THE American Motorcycle.
Advertising the V-Twin from 1935
|
First Hydra Glide in 1949
|
|
In the 1940's, the Harley-Davidson once
again answered the patriotic call and sent its motorcycles overseas to aid in
the war effort. In 1941, civilian production on the motorcycle was mostly
suspended as the company turned out motorcycles for the war. Because of their
commitment and excellence, Harley-Davidson received the Army-Navy "E" award;
this wouldn't be the last time. In November of 1945, civilian production once
again started. In 1947, Harley-Davidson purchased the old A.O. Smith Propeller
Plant and used it as a machine shop. The parts made here were shipped back to
the old factory on Juneau Avenue for final assembly. In 1949, hydraulic front
brakes were introduced on the Hydra-Glide models.
Fred Warr,
the oldest Harley dealer of
Europe
In the fifty's Harley survived another bad
period. The Brittish owned 40 % of the motorcycle market with their Triumph ! In
1957 fortunately the Sportster was born, the fastest Harley ever. A great
success !! Just like the English motorcycle industry, Harley stuck to its
technic, style and caracter. That's why this motorcycle was so populair for
many, many years.
In opposite to the English manufacturors, Harley Davidson
survived this decision. Due to the enormous attack from the Japanees from the
Far East, the English dissapeared without a trace and the American were almost
dead. Even the Shovelhead couldn't save its ass.

Historic
Factory
| 1969, Time for a merger with the
American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF). However, the quality
decreased ernormously and the Super Glide and the SLCR Caféracer of 1970
got a bad name. But Harley Davidson bought itself out and survived and
with launching the new Evolution-motor in 1984, the company managed to
create a modern motorcycle, which was still a Harley Davidson.
|
|
The beginning of the 1970's saw a revolution of the
Harley-Davidson. In 1971, the cruiser was born. This machine united a sporty
front end with the frame and power train of the FL series. 1973 saw the move of
assembly operations to a new 400,000 square foot plant in York, Pennsylvania.
The year 1975 was the first of four consecutive years that the Harley-Davidson
won the AMA Grand National Championships in dirt track racing. In 1977, the FXS
Low Rider and the FLHS Electra Glide Sport were introduced to the public. The
FXS featured a special lower seat position (hence the distinguishing term Low
Rider...). The FLHS was a low cost base line FLH Electra Glide with
modifications intended to make the model sportier.
The beginning of the
1980's saw another change in the partnership of the engine and transmission. In
1980, the FLT model was born with a 5-speed transmission hard bolted to the
engine. Also this year, the drive train was replaced with a Kevlar belt. In 1981
senior members of Harley-Davidson bought back Harley-Davidson Motor Company from
AMF.
In 1982 Harley-Davidson enacted the Materials as Needed (MAN)
application in their production. This would cut production costs and improve the
quality of the parts. In 1983 the group H.O.G was founded and became the largest
factory-sponsored motorcycle club in the world. By the year 2000, the club had
over 500,000 members. In 1984 the 1340 cc V-twin engine was introduced, seven
years in the making. Also this year, the Softail model became available. The
Softail was most primarily distinguishable by hidden rear shock absorbers.
In 1987 Harley-Davidson began its "Buy Back Program" which offered full
trade in value within two years on certain models. Also at this time, the
Harley-Davidson Company obtained a place on the New York Stock Exchange for
those interested in taking a financial stake in the company. In 1988
Harley-Davidson celebrated their 85th Anniversary in Milwaukee, an event that
brought forth 60,000 aficionados of the Harley-Davidson. At the end of this
revolutionary decade for Harley-Davidson, the FXSTS Springer Softail model was
introduced into the lineup. The FXSTS Springer Softail was a modern day
recreation of the 1940's Harley-Davidson. It had the classic biker look with the
1340 cc engine symbolizing the new era of Harley-Davidson.
In the early 1990's the Fat Boy
design was introduced and quickly caught on. The name Fatboy was derived
by combining the names of the two atomic bombs "Fat man" and "Little Boy"
which were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. It was destined from the
start to become a Collector's item among biking enthusiasts and definitely
achieved that status throughout its existence. Also in 1990, Construction
on a 31 million dollar state of the art paint facility began in York,
Pennsylvania. It was finished the following year.
|
|
In 1991, The Dyna line of Harley-Davidson's was
introduced with the FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis. 1994 saw the jump of
Harley-Davidson into the Superbike racing with the VR1000. The VR1000 featured a
dual overhead cam and a liquid cooled engine and showed that Harley-Davidson was
not fully averse to manufacturing a race inspired sport bike.
In 1996 a
state of the art Parts and Accessories distribution plant was opened in
Franklin, Wisconsin. The following year a new Product Development Center opened
in Milwaukee. Also in 1997, a 330,000 square foot plant in Kansas City made its
first Sportster. In 1998, assembly operations were taking place in another part
of the world, Brazil. In the year 2001 Fuel injection was available on the
Softail models.
These days, in America, Harley Davidson owns 62 % of the
market of motorcycles with 850 CC or more !!