Harley Davidson History of the Company and Motorcycle

July 15th, 2008 admin Posted in Blog | No Comments »

In 1903, Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson developed a one-cylinder motorcycle in Milwaukee. It was a reliable and good looking enough for people to want to buy their own. By 1908 they had built 154 bikes in a little wooden barn built by Davidson's father. Soon, another member of the Davidson family, William, joined them and they hired about 20 employees in an specially built stone factory.

In 1909 Bill Harley made a project of the first 1000 CC V-Twin. It was a modest seven horsepower. The 45-degree V-twin would become one of the more recognizable images of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle because it stayed with them for so long. Harley-Davidson didn't invent the V-twin, he just adapted the technology of the time.

1910 brought the legendary "Bar and Shield" logo design that was placed on their models. This is the symbol of Harley-Davidson to this day.

The "F-head" engine is introduced in 1911. It was the workhorse engine until 1929, when the "Flathead" engine was introduced. Numerous first place winnings in races, endurance contests and hill climbs give Harley-Davidson more recognition.

Construction began on a new 6-story factory in 1912. Harley-Davidson also became an exporter this year and their first overseas sale was made in Japan. In the United States, there were now over 200 dealerships.

The sidecar was added for the first time in 1914. Harley-Davidson also formally began 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. 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 WWI (most were Harley-Davidsons). By this time Harley-Davidson was the biggest motorcycle factory in the world with nearly 2,000 dealerships worldwide. In 1918 Harley-Davidson was the biggest motorcycle factory in the world.

This period the toughest on business, because the motorcycles were perceived as out of date and the prices of automobiles decreased (the T-Ford was born). Harley Davidson tried other technical enterprises, like manufacturing parts, side cars and even airplane motor-engines to help keep them a cut above their main competitor... Indian.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was sold by dealers in 67 countries. Production was 28,189 machines. The 1920's saw some changes to the appearance of the motorcycle. One change was the teardrop shaped gas tank. In 1926, single-cylinder engines were available again, 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.

Sales plummeted from 21,000 in 1929 to less than 4,000 in 1933. In order to survive, the company manufactured industrial powerplants based on their motorcycle engines. In 1932, the three-wheel Servi-Car was introduced and would become a familiar commercial and police vehicle. The "eagle" design was now painted on all Harley-Davidson gas tanks.

Soon the biggest Harley ever appeared, the 1340 CC. This motorcycle became Harley Davidson's trademark. 1936 also became a milestone. Knucklehead was launched and this motorcycle also became the victory over the Indian.

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 the fifty's Harley survived another bad period. The Brittish owned 40% of motorcycle market share. In 1957, the Sportster was born, the fastest Harley ever. Just like the English motorcycle industry, Harley stuck to its character. That's why this motorcycle was so popular, even years later.

Due to the enormous attack from the Japanees from the Far East, the English dissapeared without a trace and the American were almost dead.

In 1960, Harley-Davidson consolidated the Model 165 and Hummer lines into the Super-10, introduced the Topper scooter, and bought fifty percent of Aeronautica Macchi's motorcycle division. Importation of Aermacchi's 250 cc horizontal single began the following year. The bike bore Harley-Davidson badges and was marketed as the Harley-Davidson Sprint.

1969 became time for a merger with the American Machine and Foudry Company (AMF).
However, the quality decreased ernormously and the Super Glide and the SLCR Caféracer of 1970 got a bad name. Harley Davidson bought itself out and launched the new Evolution-motor in 1984, the company managed to create the modern motorcycle.

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.

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.

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 the company.

In the early 1990's the Fat Boy design was introduced. The name 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 a year later.

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.

In 1999, Ford Motor Company added a Harley-Davidson edition to the Ford F-Series F-150 line, complete with the Harley-Davidson logo. This truck was an extended-cab for model year 1999. In 2000, Ford changed the truck to a crew cab and in 2002 added a super-charged engine (5.4L) which continued until 2003. In 2004, the Ford/Harley was changed to a Super-Duty, which continues through 2006. Ford again produced a Harley-Davidson Edition F-150 for their 2006 model-year, as well.

These days, in America, Harley Davidson owns 62% of the market and is popular among enthusiasts for the classic appeal of the bikes. For these people, despite of age and appearance, a Harley is the one and only. It is tempting for Harley Davidson to participate in commercial hype, but when the hype is over, they know the company will still be there and will still sell motorcycles.

Check out this Harley Davidson Memorabilia on eBay.