The HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES
1905 to 1975 |
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1925 Harley-Davidson JD |
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The History of the Harley-Davidson "The First Seventy
Years"
...The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle started its life in Milwaukee
Wisconsin in 1903. At that time Bill Harley and Arthur Walter
Davidson built a one-cylinder motorcycle. This motorcycle was
well built and they ended up selling it. They were now in the
motorcycle business. They continued to build motorcycles and by
1908 they had built 154. Around this time William Davidson joined
the company and it wasn't long before they had 20 employees
and a new factory.
In 1909 Bill Harley took on a project to built a V Twin engine.
It turned out to be a 1000 cubic centimeter, 45 degree V twin
engine producing seven horse power. This 45 degree V twin
became one of the most recognizable symbols of the Harley-
Davidson. The bar and shield logo came in 1910 and is still with
them today. |
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1922 Harley-Davidson JD Racer |
The F Head engine was
introduced in 1911 and
was the main power plant
until 1929 when it was
replaced by the flat head
engine. By 1912 Harley-
Davidson was ready to
expand again into a new 6
story plant. At this time
they also started
exporting. |
From 1914 to the 1920's there was much advancement, such as
the addition of a sidecar, the three-speed sliding-gear
transmission, and the change in styling, which looked more like
the motorcycles of today.
In 1928 the first twin-cam engine and front wheel brakes were
available. This enabled the motorcycle to reach speeds of more
then 85 mph.
The 1930's saw Harley-Davidson break more speed records.
In 1932 the three-wheel Servi-Car was introduced which would
become a common police and commercial vehicle. |
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In 1936 the Knucklehead was launched and the Panhead followed
in 1947. This machine made the Harley-Davidson American's
motorcycle of choice. During World War II the Harley took an
active roll. Civilian production was just about suspended and all
efforts were concentrated on war production. Once the war was
over in 1945 civilian production commenced again.
In 1949 the Hydra-Glide was introduced using hydraulic front
forks. The 1950 s were not a good time at Harley-Davidson.
The British with their Triumph and BSA motorcycles had 40% of
the market.
These were smaller, lighter and in some cases faster bikes.
This problem was met head on and in 1957 with the introduction
of the Sportster. The English stayed on the scene until the
Japanese bikes hit the market in the early 60?s.
They were small, under powered but cute and did a lot to bring
motorcycle to the attention of the general public. |
However they didn't stay
small and cute very long.
Companies like Honda,
Kawasaki and Suzuki learned
real fast and made some real
fast motorcycles.
Harley was almost put under
at this time but they fought
back. In 1969 Harley
Davidson merged with
American Machine and
Foundry Company. |
1905 Harley-Davidson |
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This merger gave them needed cash but produced some poorly
built bikes and Harley's reputation suffered greatly.
Harley-Davidson did survive and in 1971 the Cruiser was born. It
was a sporty looking bike with the frame and power train of the
FL series.
This motorcycle was a great success and enabled Harley-
Davidson to move to a 400,000 square foot plant in York,
Pennsylvania.
The 1970's saw Harley win a great many races including four
consecutive years of winning the AMA Grand National
Championships in dirt track racing.
I will leave the history of the Harley-Davidson at this point with
saying that from here on Harley-Davidson never looked back.
There are many other good web sites that will take you beyond
the 1970's. |
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