Hey ICE

Here's a litle something to keep you reading

History of Harley-Davidson Motor Company

In 1903, three men from Milwaukee had a really unique view of what they thought motorized bicycling should be. In a 10 X 13 foot shed, with borrowed tools, and some metal, Arthur and Walter Davidson along with Bill Harley set out to build the very first Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Using only a three horsepower engine, the trio designed a unique loop frame, which would set it apart from any other cycle in its time. They would go on to build a total of three bikes in their first year. In 1907, the eldest Davidson brother, William, joined the team. Later that same year, after building 150 bikes, these four men followed their vision and incorporated what is today The Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

The following year found the company employing a total of 18 people and expanding into a 2,380 square foot production facility. In 1920, Harley Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, boasting dealers in 67 countries. Also that same year, only thirteen years since incorporation, Harley Davidson enjoyed an incredible 5000 percent increase in sales.

Through the years, the Harley Davidson would prove to be the benchmark for all other motorcycles. By the end of World War I, 20,000 cycles were used in military duty. Harley Davidson would continue to dominate racing events, eventually becoming the first motorcycle ever to win a race with a top speed of over 100 mph.

Though we look back and see many changes in its design, Harley Davidson has not changed. It has remained successful by remembering its heritage.

1903 Harley-Davidson is founded
1903 The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle is manufactured
1905 The "Silent Grey Fellow" nickname coincides with the new standard grey color.
1907 The first Harley-Davidsons sold for police duty
1909 First "V-Twin" engine
1912 First clutch mechanism
1914 Stepstarter and internal expanding rear brake
1915 Three speed transmission
1916 The first issue of "The Enthusiast" publication
1922 74" Twin engine debuts
1928 Front wheel brake appears
1929 WL 45" Twin engine
1932 45" Servicar
1936 80" Side Valve Twin engine and the first "Knuckle Head" 61" engine
1937 William A. Davidson dies
1941 74" OHV Super Power engine
1942 Walter Davidson dies at age 65
1943 Bill Harley dies at age 66
1947 74" OHV Big Twin engine
1948 74" "Panhead" engine is introduced
1949 The Hydra-Glide debuts
1950 Arthur Davidson dies at age 69
1957 XLH Sportster
1958 The Hydra-Glide turns into the Duo-Glide
1959 XLCH Sportster
1960 The "Topper," a fiberglass motorscooter, was introduced.
1960 Harley-Davidson teams up with Italian manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi S.p.A. to produce a line of smaller bikes including the Shortster and Sprint models.
1965 The Electra-Glide debuts
1965 George Roeder sets a world land speed record (177.225 m.p.h.) for 250 cc motorcycles on a much modified Harley-Davidson Sprint.
1965 After being privately held for over 60 years, Harley-Davidson goes public.
1966 The introduction of the "shovel head" engine
1967 Electric start Sportster
1969 Merger with American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF)
1971 FX 1200 Super Glide
1972 1000 cc XLH/XLCH Sportster
1972 First disc brakes on a Harley
1977 FXS 1200 Low Rider and FLHS
1978 75th Anniversary models
1978 FLH 80 Electra-Glide
1978 First electronic ignition on a Harley
1979 FXS 80 Low Rider
1980 FLT rubber mounted engine
1981 Senior executives at Harley-Davidson purchase the company from AMF. Harley-Davidson once again becomes a privately owned company.
1983 President Reagan imposes additional tariffs on all Japanese motorcycles 700 cc or larger.
1983 The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is established.
1984 The Introduction of the "Evolu

 

Oh really?............

 

A bit more in depth for ICE


1901-1903
A 10' x 15' shed in the Davidson family’s Milwaukee backyard serves as the birthplace to an American icon. Arthur Davidson, 20, and William Harley, 21, began experiments on "taking the work out of bicycling." Now if you doubt that bicycling was any work, try and remember what people were riding 100 years ago and you soon get the picture. In all honesty, they were mechanics and inventors who came upon the idea to motorize a bike rather easily. At that time in history there was a new invention called the horseless carriage so it was a logical progression to come up with the idea to fit a smaller combustion engine to a bicycle. Soon after, the duo were joined by Arthur's two brothers Walter and William. In two years they produced 3 motorcycles and the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Co. was born.
1929-1933
After the stock market crash of October 1929, Harley-Davidson sales suffered with everyone else's in the industry. By 1933, production in Milwaukee had dropped to 3,700 motorcycles. Only two motorcycle manufacturers survived the depression, Harley Davidson and Indian. They survived because of strong dealer networks, police and military use, conservative management, and steady exports. The Harley was becoming truly world class.
1936
Harley-Davidson wasted no time building momentum out of the depression, introducing its EL model, featuring the 61 cu in. overhead valve engine, also known as the "Knucklehead." 1936 production: 9,812 motorcycles.
1941-1945
Almost immediately after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Harley-Davidson's entire motorcycle output was produced for Allied use. By the end of World War II, 90,000 WLA army-version motorcycles had been built and shipped. Harley Davidson earned the coveted Navy "E" award for it's contribution.
1948
After the war, motorcyclists were eager to get back to their sport. To feed their desire for more motorcycles, Harley-Davidson introduced a new 74 cu in. engine with hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum heads. The "Panhead" was born. 1948 production: 31,163 motorcycles. Further expansion was in the cards and manufacturing facilities in the suburb of Wauwatosa were acquired in 1947. The push was on to sell to the public and marketing was more pronounced.
1953
As Harley-Davidson celebrated its 50th anniversary, its oldest and closest competitor, Indian, went out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as the sole survivor in a once overcrowded American motorcycle marketplace. 1953 production: 14,050 motorcycles. The 1940s and ‘50s brought changes for Harley-Davidson. The second generation of management rose through the corporate ranks as the original founders died. Harley-Davidson now was the undisputed "king of the road". But the company did not rest on its laurels.
1957-1958
The Sportster, father of the superbikes, was introduced in 1957, followed in 1958 by the Duo Glide, featuring a hydraulic rear shock suspension to go with the hydraulically dampened front fork. Also in 1958, Carroll Resweber won the first of four consecutive AMA Grand National Championships. Also introduced for the aspiring motorcyclist was the 125 as seen in this ad from the 50's. New marketing and new models were broadening Hareley's coverage of the motorcycling public.
1963
When it became apparent that fiberglass was becoming a versatile material for golf cars and motorcycles, Harley-Davidson purchased and converted a fiberglass boat company in Tomahawk, Wis.The 1950s and ‘60s also saw the explosion of the American "motorcycle culture", with black leather jackets becoming not only a statement of fashion, but of a lifestyle. The tough "Wild Ones" image, made popular by the Marlon Brando movie of the same name, labeled motorcycle enthusiasts as "outlaws". In truth the phenomenen started in the late 40's with returning servicemen who had backpay and a yearn to see the country while trying to deal with the pain and horror of war.
1963

 

Right on Mrkicks
Big shout out to Bill. With such information I can
now go to a dealer and know what I'm talking about.
Instead of taking there usual answer of "oh it's normal"
I can now challenge them to a better answer.

Crazy Canuck[sm=smokin.gif]

 

TC--Your incredible !!!!!!! Very interesting.I love my Harley,but it makes it more special knowing some about the history and tradition that goes along with it.I appreciate the effort you put into your response to my question.I have to say though....if you typed all that for memory...off the top of your head....I will eat your boots !!!!!. One more question...Did'nt the "flathead" engine come before the first "panhead" ? I did,nt notice that on your first post with the time table? Or just tell me I don't have a clue what I'm talking about.I meet someone who said he had a old "flathead",or What is the true meaning of such ?

Thanks dude....you ROCK !!!!!!!!!

 

I think we are appreciative to TCSTD, major kudo's.......

He has made all our lives easier and we have saved major dollars. If you notice, he's generally one of the first to welcome new members also.

Our hats (helments, d-rags) off to you, TCSTD......

Thanks for all the help,
Pete

 

Hey... thanks guys and gal, You're going to make my head so big, I'm going to have to get a new helmet soon.


I'm just very happy that the DIY forum can be of help to most here, as I told Mac way back when, I enjoy helping people with knowledge that I have acquired over the years and especially when I see these dealers taking advantage of most people because they can! If your armed with some knowledge on how things work, even just a basic understanding, they think twice then when you correct them. THATS what I like to see and it makes it all worthwile to me then.

Take the time and just go roam through the DIY forums to see what's in there for the future.

Thanks all!

Bill

 

It's about time we heard from you Bill! What's been occupying your time?

 

Well.........Heather.........Ya see it's like this...I've undertaken a special mission and it takes a lot of my time, I really don't mind it at all, as a matter of fact, it's rather enjoyable, I've been sworn to secrecy and the president will disavow any knowledge of my being, so I really can't get into it any deeper unfortunately, even though I'd really like to.....

 

It must be pretty important to you!