HARLEY DAVIDSON

  About the same time (1903) as Henry Ford was starting his Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI., 250 miles away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, friends Bill Harley and Walter Davidson were developing their one-cylinder motorcycle.  The gas engine was developed around the turn of the century and by 1901 there was already the soon to be famous Indian Motorcycle Co. as well as Mitschell, Merkel and Yale.  Although the previous brands were primarily built to race, the original Harley-Davidsons were reliable, more of a work of art, beautiful actually.  By 1905 they had built 11 motorcycles and by 1908 they had sold 154 from a little wooden barn that was built by Davidson’s father.  It didn’t take long after that there were an additional 20 employees and larger, newer facilities.
Timeline-wise, by 1909 they had their first 1000 CC V-Twin that provided a strong 7 horsepower and the V-Design became one of the most recognizable visions about the motorcycle.  The following year the partners purchased the legendary “Bar & Shield” logo and began to place them on the bikes.  The “F” head or Flathead engines were introduced the following year (1911) and that remained the workhorse of the stable until 1929.
More years, more growth, more innovations later, additions like sidecars, a proven racing history (called The Wrecking Crew), inclusion as a military staple during the war years (both wars) and the teardrop gas tank all made a bold presence in their field for Harley Davidson.  Add to the list of achievements that the Harley’s Servi-Car was introduced in 1932 and became a familiar police vehicle made Harley’s stand alone in the crowd. 1936 became a milestone with the intro of the Knucklehead and a victory over rival Indian.  By 1947 the Panhead was to make cycle history and Harley-Davidson The ultimate American Motorcycle.
The fifties,  That was another story.  The Brittish owned about 40+% of the bike market by then with the famous and fearsome Triumph line.  Harley’s combat stance was to make their bikes more lean without giving up their technic style, and thus, the birth of the Sportster, the fastest Harley ever (at the time).  Even though Harley, in the 50’s and 60’s, had a little “Bad-Boy” in them with references to The Hells Angles and Marlon Brando rebellious types, the line continued strong.  There was a brief merger with AMF (the bowling people) who paid little attention initially to quality in favor of sales numbers out the door. Once corrected that problem as well as all others seemed to only be in the rear-view mirror.
Since then there has been the creation of the HOG (Harley Owners Group), the “Fat Boy”, Softail and many more marketable icons all know the be Harleyisms especially Sturgis. Additionally, today Harley-Davidson owns about 60+% of the over 850cc motorcycle market and has a new,330,000 sq. ft plant in Milwaukee, WI.  A long cry from a small barn in the backyard.