harley davidson timeline
#1
04-17-2007, 10:17 AM
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harley davidson timeline
Don't know if this has been posted before. If it has, sorry. I thought it was interesting though
[color=#191970][size=2]Harley-Davidson Historical Timeline
1903 21 year old William S. Harley and 20 year old Arthur Davidson, with the help of Walter Davidson, build their first practical motorcycle in a wooden shed in the backyard of the Davidson home in Milwaukee,. Their first machine, sold to Henry Meyer of Chicago, reportedly went 100,000 miles through a series of five successive owners without a major repair. -.
1904 The first Harley-Davidson Dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago, IL opens for business and sells every motorcycle H-D makes that year.
1905 On July 4th, an H-D motorcycle wins a 15 mile race in Chicago with a time of 19:02. In Milwaukee, the first full-time employee is hired.
1906 A new factory, measuring 28x80 ft., is built on the Chestnut St. site, later renamed Juneau Avenue. Staff size is increased to six full-time employees. Also, the first motorcycle catalog is produced by the Company and the nickname “Silent Gray Fellow” is used for the first time.
1907 William A. Davidson, brother to Arthur and Walter Davidson, quits his job as tool foreman for the Milwaukee Road railroad and joins the company.
1907 Harley-Davidson Motor Company is incorporated on September 17th. The stock is split four ways between the four founders, and staff size has more than doubled from the previous year to eighteen employees. Factory size is doubled as well. Also begun is dealer recruitment, targeting the New England region.
1908 Walter Davidson scores a perfect 1,000 points at the 7th Annual Federation of American Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability Contest. Three days after the contest, Walter sets the FAM economy record at 188.234 miles per gallon. Word of Harley-Davidson's extremely tough motorcycle spreads rapidly.
1908 The first motorcycle sold for police duty is delivered to the Detroit, MI police dept.
1909 The six-year old Harley-Davidson Motor Company introduces its first V-twin engine powered motorcycle. With a displacement of 49.5 cubic inches, the bike provided seven horsepower. Though that initial V-twin motor was not successful, the image of two cylinders in a 45-degree configuration would fast become one of the most enduring icons of Harley-Davidson history. Also available for the first time from the Motor Company are spare parts for motorcycles.
1910 The famed “Bar & Shield” logo is used for the first time. It is trademarked with the U.S. Patent office one year later.
1910 At least 7 different first place finishes are captured across America at races, endurance contests and hillclimbs. All seven winners are riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
1911 The “F-head” engine becomes a workhorse of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle until 1929.
1912 Construction begins on what will become the six story headquarters and main factory building at Juneau Ave. in Milwaukee. A separate Parts and Accessories Department is formed.
1912 H-D exports motorcycles to Japan, marking the first ever sales outside of the U.S. Dealer network has now grown to over 200 nationwide.
1913 The Racing Department is formed, with William Ottaway as its first Assistant Engineer to racing engineer William S. Harley. Also, the Forecar delivery vehicle is offered for the first time.
1914 Sidecars are made available to Harley-Davidson buyers. Clutch and brake pedals now available on f-head singles and twins.
1914 The Motor Company also formally enters motorcycle racing this year. The first Racing Engineer is William S. Harley. Within a few short years, team Harley-Davidson is referred to informally as the “Wrecking Crew” because of their incredible dominance of the sport.
19
[color=#191970][size=2]Harley-Davidson Historical Timeline
1903 21 year old William S. Harley and 20 year old Arthur Davidson, with the help of Walter Davidson, build their first practical motorcycle in a wooden shed in the backyard of the Davidson home in Milwaukee,. Their first machine, sold to Henry Meyer of Chicago, reportedly went 100,000 miles through a series of five successive owners without a major repair. -.
1904 The first Harley-Davidson Dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago, IL opens for business and sells every motorcycle H-D makes that year.
1905 On July 4th, an H-D motorcycle wins a 15 mile race in Chicago with a time of 19:02. In Milwaukee, the first full-time employee is hired.
1906 A new factory, measuring 28x80 ft., is built on the Chestnut St. site, later renamed Juneau Avenue. Staff size is increased to six full-time employees. Also, the first motorcycle catalog is produced by the Company and the nickname “Silent Gray Fellow” is used for the first time.
1907 William A. Davidson, brother to Arthur and Walter Davidson, quits his job as tool foreman for the Milwaukee Road railroad and joins the company.
1907 Harley-Davidson Motor Company is incorporated on September 17th. The stock is split four ways between the four founders, and staff size has more than doubled from the previous year to eighteen employees. Factory size is doubled as well. Also begun is dealer recruitment, targeting the New England region.
1908 Walter Davidson scores a perfect 1,000 points at the 7th Annual Federation of American Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability Contest. Three days after the contest, Walter sets the FAM economy record at 188.234 miles per gallon. Word of Harley-Davidson's extremely tough motorcycle spreads rapidly.
1908 The first motorcycle sold for police duty is delivered to the Detroit, MI police dept.
1909 The six-year old Harley-Davidson Motor Company introduces its first V-twin engine powered motorcycle. With a displacement of 49.5 cubic inches, the bike provided seven horsepower. Though that initial V-twin motor was not successful, the image of two cylinders in a 45-degree configuration would fast become one of the most enduring icons of Harley-Davidson history. Also available for the first time from the Motor Company are spare parts for motorcycles.
1910 The famed “Bar & Shield” logo is used for the first time. It is trademarked with the U.S. Patent office one year later.
1910 At least 7 different first place finishes are captured across America at races, endurance contests and hillclimbs. All seven winners are riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
1911 The “F-head” engine becomes a workhorse of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle until 1929.
1912 Construction begins on what will become the six story headquarters and main factory building at Juneau Ave. in Milwaukee. A separate Parts and Accessories Department is formed.
1912 H-D exports motorcycles to Japan, marking the first ever sales outside of the U.S. Dealer network has now grown to over 200 nationwide.
1913 The Racing Department is formed, with William Ottaway as its first Assistant Engineer to racing engineer William S. Harley. Also, the Forecar delivery vehicle is offered for the first time.
1914 Sidecars are made available to Harley-Davidson buyers. Clutch and brake pedals now available on f-head singles and twins.
1914 The Motor Company also formally enters motorcycle racing this year. The first Racing Engineer is William S. Harley. Within a few short years, team Harley-Davidson is referred to informally as the “Wrecking Crew” because of their incredible dominance of the sport.
19
#6
04-19-2007, 02:43 AM
RE: harley davidson timeline
"1980 A kevlar belt replaces the chain as the final drive on the new FXB Sturgis. The belt is cleaner running, and needs less adjustments and maintenance. Shortly, belt final drive is on all Harley-Davidson motorcycles."
As I remember, the Sportsters didn't get a belt drive until about '91. Until that, the belt drive was an expensive "add-on" option.
As I remember, the Sportsters didn't get a belt drive until about '91. Until that, the belt drive was an expensive "add-on" option.
#7
04-19-2007, 02:50 AM
RE: harley davidson timeline
Well, it's still pretty cool. I always got a kick outof 900 and 1000 Sportsters . They were 882 cc's the whole time.
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