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William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson dreamed of manufacturing a motorized bicycle.
This dream would be realized with the help of Walter Davidson and William Davidson.
Their efforts were the beginning of a motorcycle legacy. |
The history of Harley-Davidson begins in 1901. In Milwaukee, William Harley, 21, and Arthur Davidson, 20, began experiments on "taking the work out of bicycling." They were soon joined by Arthur's brothers, Walter and William. In 1902, the prototype was a 10.2ci, (167cc), single with 2.125" X 2.875" bore and stroke with a 5" flywheel. Why it would blow your hat off in a good breeze plus the almost 25mph it could attain.
In 1903, the company Harley-Davidson was founded. Many changes were made to the engine design before its builders were satisfied. After the new looped frame was finalized, they were ready to begin production. The first production model was manufactured in 1903 with a 25 cubic inch (410cc) atmospheric-inlet-valve single-cylinder. Only 3 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were made in 1903.
In 1904 & 1905, production began in a shed behind the Davidson family home. The machine was a 30 cubic inch (494cc) single which was later nicknamed: The "Silent Grey Fellow" nickname coincides with the new standard grey color. In 1906, Harley-Davidson erected its first building at the current Juneau Avenue site in 1906. Catalogs are produced to advertise the new Silent Gray Fellow and in 1907, Harley-Davidson incorporated. A prototype V-twin motorcycle was built. Although only 150 motorcycles were made this year, 1907 saw the first Harley-Davidson® sold for police duty.
In 1909, the trademark 45 degree V-Twin engine was introduced; displaced 49.5 cu in and produced seven horsepower. Top speed: 60 mph. 1909 production was truly massive compared to previous years (almost 8 times the 1907 production rate) at 1,149 motorcycles. The first clutch mechanism was introduced in 1912 and by 1913, the original 28' x 80' factory had grown to 297,110 square feet. Harley-Davidson began to dominate racing events. 1913 production: 12,904 motorcycles. Other innovations introduced included a step-starter and internal expanding rear brake in 1914 and a 3-speed transmission in 1915.- Stepstarter and In 1916, the first issue of "The Enthusiast" publication was produced and distributed.
World War I (1916-1918)
After Harley-Davidson motorcycles had proven their military value in border skirmishes with Pancho Villa, they were quickly called to duty when the U.S. entered WWI. Some 20,000 cycles would see duty before the war's end. And after the war by 1920, Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, boasting dealers in 67 countries. Harley-Davidson motorcycle development was evolutionary rather than revolutionary with side-valve machines replacing inlet-over-exhaust designs in the late 1920s. 1920 production: 28,189 motorcycles.
The 1920's
In February 1921, on a Fresno, CA., board track, a Harley-Davidson became the first motorcycle ever to win a race with an average speed over 100 mph. In 1922, the 74" Twin engine debuts and in 1925, the debut of the teardrop gas tank appeared. By 1928, front wheel brakes were introduced dramatically improving the safety and handling of Harley-Davidson's cycles.
The Great Depression Years
After the stock market crash of October 1929, Harley-Davidson sales suffered with everyone else's in the industry. This year saw the introduction of the first 45 ci (750cc) side-valve V-twins, the "D" series. These used the same frame as the singles, which was made possible by mounting the generator perpendicular to the engine. Early Forty-fives lacked the power of their competition, the Indian Scout. In 1932, the 45ci Servicar model was introduced at a cost $450. In 1933, the depression hit Harley-Davidson very hard. By 1933, production in Milwaukee had dropped to 3,700 vehicles. By 1936, Harley-Davidson wasted no time building momentum out of the depression, introducing its EL model, featuring the 61 ci (1000cc) overhead valve engine, also known as the "Knucklehead." This engine, termed the "61 OHV" in factory literature and called the Sixty-one in every day circles was a mid-season 1936 model. This, in the opinion of many, is the motorcycle that saved Harley-Davidson. At that time, for the first time, a major American motorcycle company was building a big motorcycle with overhead valves (this coming shortly after the major engineering difficulties of the 1929 Forty-five and the 1930 Seventy-four. Also introduced this year was the 80ci side valve twin engine. Despite the specter of the depression Harley-Davidson produced almost 10,000 motorcycles in 1936 and in 1937, sadness struck the H-D family with the death of William A. Davidson.
World War II Years
Almost immediately after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Harley-Davidson's entire motorcycle output was produced for Allied use. By the end of World War II, 90,000 WLA army-version motorcycles had been built and shipped. During the war years, Walter Davidson died at the age of 65 in 1942 and Bill Harley died in 1943 at the age of 66.
After the World War II, Harley-Davidson once again began introducing new models to meet a growing demand. In 1947, the 74" OHV Big Twin engine was introduced and then in 1948, Harley-Davidson introduced a new 74 cu in. engine with hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum heads. The "Panhead" was born. 1948 production: 31,163 motorcycles. In 1949, The Hydra-Glide debuts.
The 1950's & 1960's
1950 marked the death of Arthur Davidson at the age 69. In 1953, Harley-Davidson celebrates its 50th anniversary while its oldest and closest competitor, Indian, went out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as the sole survivor in a once overcrowded American motorcycle marketplace. Harley-Davidson expanded its line to include two-stroke engines and even a scooter. 1953 production: 14,050 motorcycles. By 1957, the XLH Sportster debuts and in the following year, the Duo Glide (based on the earlier Hydra-Glide model) was introduced, featuring a hydraulic rear shock suspension to go with the hydraulically dampened front fork. Also in 1958, Carroll Resweber won the first of four consecutive AMA Grand National Championships. In 1959, XLCH Sportster was introduced.
In 1960, the "Topper," a fiberglass motor scooter, was introduced. 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. Italian-built lightweights were sold in America under the Harley-Davidson name. The Topper featured a pull-cord starting mechanism much like that of a lawn-mower. In 1963, Willie G. Davidson joins Harley-Davidson as design director and in 1965, George Roeder set a world land speed record of 177.225 mph for 250CC motorcycles on a modified Harley-Davidson Sprint. Bart Markel, aboard a Harley, won the second of his three AMA Grand National Championships. With the addition of an electric starter, the Duo Glide became the Electra Glide in 1965, which was also the last year of the "Panhead" engine. Harley-Davidson became a publicly-held company when it issued stock in 1965.
In 1966, The introduction of the "shovel head" engine. Production: 36,310 motorcycles. In 1967, Electric start Sportster was introduced and in 1969, Harley-Davidson merged with the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF).
The 1970's & 1980's
In 1971, the FX 1200 Super Glide, considered the first true factory custom. Joe Smith, riding a drag bike powered by a single Harley-Davidson motor, was the first to break the nine-second barrier in motorcycle drag racing and in 1972, the 1000 cc XLH/XLCH Sportster was introduced with the first disc brakes manufactured on a Harley. By 1974 and 1975, chassis manufacturing and final assembly operations moves to a plant in York, Pa. Engine and transmission operations remained in Milwaukee, along with the corporate headquarters. 1975 production: 75,403 motorcycles.
From 1976 to 1979, Harley-Davidson continued the tradition of racing dominance, Jay "Springer" Springsteen won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1976, 1977 and 1978. In 1977, the FXS 1200 Low Rider and FLHS models were introduced. In 1978, Harley-Davidson sold the Italian operation (the old Aermacchi company) and the sales of Italian motorcycles with the Harley-Davidson name was halted and H-D celebrated with the introduction of the 75th Anniversary models debuts including the FLH 80 Electra-Glide, along with the first electronic ignition on a Harley. By 1979, the FXS 80 Low Rider debuted.
In 1980, the 80 cu in FLT Tour Glide, with five-speed transmission, oil bath enclosed rear chain and a rubber-mounted engine (the predecessor to today's Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles) was introduced. In 1981, Senior executives at Harley-Davidson purchase the company from AMF. Harley-Davidson once again becomes a privately owned company. With improved manufacturing and quality process, many of the old flaws of the H-D design were resolved. A new image was forming.
In 1983, President Reagan imposes additional tariffs on all Japanese motorcycles 700 cc or larger and the The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is established. In 1984, the introduction of the "Evolution" engine debuts. The first Softail models and Air Assisted Anti-Drive are also introduced. By 1986, H-D offered common stock and subordinated notes and Harley-Davidson once again becomes a publicly owned corporation. Then in 1987 in an unprecedented move, Harley-Davidson petitions the ITC for early termination of the five year tariff imposed in 1983.
In 1988 - Patented "Springer" front-end returns and in the next year, the Spartanburg, SC Chapter # 4813 is Chartered!
The 1990's To Today
In 1990, the Dyna model is introduced and in 1991, all Harleys change to five speed transmission. In 1992, all Harleys adopt a belt drive and in 1993, H-D celebrates their "90th Anniversary" homecoming.
In 1995, the first fuel injection models were introduced and in 1998, H-D celebrates their "95th anniversary" homecoming. In 1999, the new Twin Cam 88 cu. in. motor introduced. and in 2000, the new Twin Cam 88B with internal counterbalancers were introduced. The Softail Duece makes its debut. New stiffer softail frame introduced and in 2001, the Dyna T-Sport is introduced.