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Harley Davidson History
Nov 28th
In 1903 in Milwaukee is the beginning of history of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Arthur Walter Davidson and Bill Harley developed a one-cylinder motorcycle in Milwaukee. They build the motorbike which is powered by a one-cylinder gasoline combustion engine for racing. The small company extended quickly and another member of the Davidson.
The project of first 1000 cc V-Twin was made by Bill Harley in 1909. The more recognizable images of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle are the 45-degree V-Twin. Actually, Harley-Davidson did not invent the V-Twin, it is hard to believe. Harley-Davidson is more recognize when they winnings in races, endurance contest, and hill climbs. For a long, long time this V-Twin stayed with Harley Davidson motorcycle.
The Harley-Davidson Company saw further growth in the year of 1912. They also became a motorcycle exporter this year and their first overseas sale was made in Japan. About 20,000 motorcycles were used in the war, and most of them Harley-Davidsons. Harley Davidson was the biggest motorcycle factory in the world and they have nearly 2,000 dealerships worldwide in 1918. A long with appearance changes such as the “eagle” design, which was painted on all Harley-Davidson gas tanks, changes were also made to the engine.
Now on, the 1340 cc is the biggest Harley Davidson motorbike that ever appeared. Civilian production on the motorcycle was mostly suspended in 1941 because the company turned out motorcycles for the world war. Harley-Davidson received the army-Navy “E” award because of their commitment and excellent, this would not be the last time. For machine shop, they purchased the old A.O Smith Propeller Plant in 1947. Hydraulic front brakes were introduces on the Hydra-Glide models in the year of 1949.
In the 1950’s the British owned 40 % of the motorcycle market with their Triumph motorbike. This is another bad period to the Harley-Davidson company, but they still survived at the period. Fortunately the Harley Davidson Sportster was born in 1957. It is the fastest Harley Davidson ever. In 1970’s is the beginning of revolution of Harley Davidson. They introduced FXS Low Rider and the FLHS Electra Glide Sport to the public in 1977.
In 1987 The Harley-Davidson Company obtained a place on the New York Stock Exchange for those interested in taking a financial stake in the company. The FXTS Springer Softail model was introduced into the lineup at the end of the revolutionary decade for Harley-Davidson.
With FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis, the Dyna line of Harley-Davidson’s was introduced in 1991. In 1994, with the VR1000 is the jump of Harley-Davidson into the superbike racing. Harley-Davidson was not fully averse to manufacturing a race inspired sport bike, and they made the VR 1000 featured a dual overhead cam and liquid cooled engine and showed.
By: marikxon manurung
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Harley Davidson – History, Myth, Legend
Oct 10th
Born in Milwaukee in 1903 by an intuition of William Harley and Arthur Davidson, the Harley Davidson legend grows progressively over time passing through the boom in two wars, the consecration of the postwar period, the celebration of the centenary and the birth of the first Harley Davidson Museum of the world.
Like all great things, even the myth Harley Davidson was born in silence by an idea, a passion, a hope almost impossible. The dream takes the form of a small motorized bicycle, made in the small garage of Arthur Davidson, flanked by his friend William Harley. And this is the first Harley in history. We are in 1901, in Milwaukee (United States) a small town that gets the notoriety thanks to the adventures of Ricky Cunningham and Fonzie, legendary stars of American TV series “Happy Days”. Two years later (August 28, 1903), and after only three copies sold the company Harley Davidson was founded. The growth is gradual but unabated: in 1907 the motorcycles produced were 150, while in 1917 even 12,904.
The boom of the two conflicts
The first real boom was in 1917, when the United States entered officially in the First World War. The U.S. military requires the company 45 thousand pieces well, which include five models of about 1000 cc. This increase in production allows the Harley Davidson to become, in the ’20s, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, present in 67 countries. The first real milestone, however, is reached in 1921, when it comes to light the first motorcycle that can reach 160 km / h. Meanwhile, the post-war crisis and, more importantly, the Great Depression, remove many small production houses, leaving only two major players competing activities: Harley Davidson and Indian. With the advent of World War II, the increase in production is repeating: the motorcycles made for the military this time are 88.000!
Postwar era and the birth of the myth
After the war, the company reached two new milestones: in 1954, with the disappearance of the Indian, the only real competitor, Harley Davidson is found to be the only major company in the motorcycle market in circulation and in January 1957 is also made the “Sportster”, one of the most successful models in the history of Harley Davidson, characterized by a simple line greatly appreciated by the public. But in 1969 another important event occurs: the Harley Davidson was purchased by AMF (American Machine and Foundry), who decides to drastically reduce its workforce, with devastating effects on product quality, which inevitably leads to a decline in sales and even at the risk of bankruptcy. A very difficult situation, only partly alleviated by the conquest of the world titles at the World Championship Speed in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Then, in 1981, another turning point: AMF sells Harley Davidson to a group of 13 investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie G. Davidson. To continue the pace, the company of Milwaukee takes a bit: Harley Davidson back to being a market leader in large displacement motorcycles only with the introduction of the “Softail Custom” in 1984, but the story becomes Legend officially in 1990 with the launch of the new model “Fat Boy”, which perfectly embodies the new retro style chosen by the new management to revitalize the brand, which relies entirely on the possibility for customers to customize their motorcycles.
Meanwhile, the legend comes increasingly become part of everyday life for millions of fans around the world, by creating a series of jewelry and accessories designed entirely by Harley Davidson like watches (by Bulova), rings in silver or steel, the bracelet in silver or steel pins, pendants, neck, zippo lighters, but also patches for jackets, key rings, leather bags, door lock, rims, motorcycle covers, stickers, and more.
One hundred of these years
In 2003, Harley Davidson, a brand now transformed into a real myth, is celebrating its hundredth birthday, celebrated in style in Milwaukee with the largest gathering in the history of the company and, very probably, in the history of motorcycling ever. To commemorate the event, throughout the 2003 models are marketed in Edition “Century,” with special colors and tanks, accompanied by a new set of clothes.
But there’s more. At Milwaukee in July 12, 2008 is created the first Harley Davidson Museum in the world, offering visitors the chance to live, between past and present, that atmosphere of freedom, passion and pride “on the road” that represent the soul of the company. Divided into three buildings on a total area of 12 thousand square meters placed in a green area of 81mila square meters, the museum contains models of motorcycles, photographs, videos, clothing, rare documents, in addition to the collection of thousands of plaques “Living the Legend” personalized with messages from fans around the world.
By: Alessandro Manea
About the Author:
Alessandro Manea
Harley-Davidson History
Sep 4th
Harley-Davidson history is long and proud and began at the start of the 20th century. The beginnings of this American icon were very humble. In 1903, Davidson brothers Arthur and Walter along with William S. Harley built a single cylinder motorcycle in a wooden shed built by cabinet making William C. Davidson. The Davidson brother’s aunt Janet painted the pin-stripes on the first few Harleys.
In 1905 the first Harley to be produced in significant numbers was the Silent Gray Fellow named for its quite operation and gray color. These were 450cc single cylinder bikes using a bicycle-style frame.To slow down and stop the rider had to peddle backwards.
Following the official formation of the company in 1907, Arthur signed up over 800 dealers in ten years. These dealers were in all of America’s then 48 states. Just five years after the first Harleys were made and sold the Detroit Police bought a fleet of motorcycles. By 1925, over 2,500 police units in the US were riding Harley-Davidsons.
The first V-Twin Harley was produced in 1909. It was an inlet-over-exhaust belt-driven engine. This first V-Twin was the Model 5-D. This was the engine that would go on to make Harley famous.
A big part of Harley-Davidson history is Harleys contribution to U.S. Military efforts. In 1918 Harley supplied thousands of motorcycles to the military to be used in World War I. Almost half of all Harley-Davidsons produced that year were sold to the military. The first American GI to enter Germany was Roy Holtz, riding a Harley-Davidson.
Harley became involved in racing to prove the dependability of their bikes. Harley’s first and notable success was in 1908. Walter Davidson won the Jack Pine Endurance run. Not only did the bike prove its dependability, the bike won the economy contest with 188 miles per gallon. In 1921 Harley becomes the first motorcycle to win a race with an average speed of 100PMH on a board track in Fresno, CA. Another early sucess story was the record of Joe Petrali, who set a record of 136.183MPH at Daytona Beach in 1937. Early Harley racing teams adopted a pig as their mascot and carried it on victory laps. This might have been the start of the term HOG. Racing was not always a priority for Harley but their riders have had great success over the years.
In 1941 America joins World War II. Harley produces the Model WLA which features blackout lights, high clearence fenders and metal leg shields. Almost all of Harley-Davidsons output was devoted to the military from 1941 to 1945. By the end of the war, Harley produced 88,000 WLA models for the U.S. Military and around 20,000 for the Canadians.
When looking at Harley-Davidson history, we can’t forget the many World War II ex-servicemen who came back to small town America. While Harley-Davidson’s civilian production had all but ceased during the war, there were plenty of army surplus motorcycles to be bought. Many of these ex-servicemen started a trend by buying and customizing these bikes. They removed or shortened the fenders to reduce weight. These bikes became known as Bobbers. These changes ultimately lead to the evolution of the Chopper.
After a post-war boom, the company’s sales were damaged by the influx of cheaper Japanese and British imports. This competition ironically caused a resurgence of interest in motorcycles, which the company profited from. Harley was bought by American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. Harley-Davidson history is full of ups and downs. Some of us are old enough to remember that Harley went through some hard times during the AMF years. In 1981 senior management bought the company back from AMF.
Harley slowly came back in the 80s and now Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognized names in the world. In 1983 Harley Owners Group (HOG) was formed with 30,000 members in the first year. Now there are about a million HOG members world wide. After 105 years, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles are more popular than ever.
By: B Corcoran
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Written by Brian from Harley Riders Guide.com Copyright http://www.harley-riders-guide.com
This article can only be used in its entirety with a link back to http://www.harley-riders-guide.com