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 |
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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 "Evolution" engine |
| 1984 First Softail models and Air Assisted Anti-Drive |
| 1986 By offering common stock and subordinated notes, Harley-Davidson once again becomes a publically owned corporation. |
| 1987 In an unprecedented move, Harley-Davidson petitions the ITC for early termination of the five year tariff imposed in 1983. |
| 1988 Patented "Springer" front-end returns |
| 1990 Dyna model is introduced |
| 1991 All Harleys change to five speed transmission |
| 1992 All Harleys adopt a belt drive |
| 1992 Harley-Davidson buys a minority interest in the Buell Motorcycle Company |
| 1993 "90th Anniversary" homecoming in Milwaukee 100,000 est. parade |
| 1995 First fuel injection models |
| 1998 Harley-Davidson buys a remaining 49% interest in Buell Motorcycle Company |
| 1998 Harley-Davidson celebrates its 95th Anniversary. 140,000 plus riders are warmly received by Milwaukee to help with the celebration |
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2001 Harley introduces the V-Rod |
| 2003 Happy 100th birthday |