Special 1957 Model FL Makes Its Debut at Harley Museum

Stunt Bike

The Harley-Davidson Museum is constantly adding to and changing its array of motorcycles and exhibits, and the latest is a pretty cool one - a 1957 Model FL that was ridden by the famed Mexican stunt rider and racer Alfonso Sotomayor Canales. After racing from the 1930s into the 1960s, Sotomayor launched his own stunt riding career by performing the famed "Salto de la Muerte" or Jump of Death.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum

Long History

Harley-Davidson's history in Mexico dates back to at least 1913. In the 1920s, the brand was more frequently spotted throughout Mexico City as its motorcycles proved popular with the local traffic police who would also perform stunts with their H-D bikes. Now, H-D Museum guests can learn more about Sotomayor's feats of derring-do and Harley-Davidson's early entry into Mexico courtesy of this new display.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum



>>Join the conversation about the '57 FL debuting in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Off-Roading

Other new exhibits include "Off-Road Harley-Davidson," which is open now. In the decades before America paved its highways, early riders had to be prepared for all sorts of terrain, including sand, clay, or dirt - and wandering those makeshift byways were Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This spirit lives on today, but in a much different form.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum



>>Join the conversation about the '57 FL debuting in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Telling a Story

Today, it's called off-road or adventure touring. Back then it was just called riding. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson motorcycles proved their toughness by riding over wooded hills, through stone-choked creek beds, and up mountainsides. "Off-Road Harley-Davidson," tells the history of motorcycles designed for rough roads, the people who rode them, and the adventures they shared.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum


>>Join the conversation about the '57 FL debuting in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Building an Icon

Joining the off-road exhibit is "Building a Milwaukee Icon: Harley-Davidson’s Juneau Avenue Factory," which consists of a recently recovered cache of architectural drawings that includes plans for the original Juneau Avenue facility. "Building a Milwaukee Icon" provides a snapshot of Harley-Davidson's formative years and illustrates a chapter of Milwaukee history when the city was known as the "Machine Shop to the World."

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum



>>Join the conversation about the '57 FL debuting in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Virtual Experience

The H-D Museum is still in the midst of its first step of phased reopening, but it's also offering Virtual Gallery Talks that are ideal for those who are hoping to take a deep dive into Harley-Davidson history from the comfort of home. Each Gallery Talk topic covers an integral chapter in Harley-Davidson’s story. Get an up-close view of artifacts, check out historical footage pulled from H-D's massive archives collection, and connect with its team of experts who will host a Q&A during each session by heading over here.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Museum

>>Join the conversation about the '57 FL debuting in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

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