Harley-Davidson History
"Harley-Davidson Began in a shed, went to war, became symbol of Ameican indivusualism and ended up "King of the road", all in 90 years..."
"In Milwaukee of 1901, William Harley,21, and Arthur Davidson,20, wanted to the the work out of bicycling. "They were soon joined by Arthur's brothers, William and and Walter".
By 1903 the four men had procued three cycles which were all gloss black and single-cylinder.
Soon in 1906 they had erected their first buliding in Milwaukee.
By 1907 they had incortorated. By the years end they had produced 150 motorcycles.
By 1917 the U.S. had entered WWI, before the wars end some 20,000 cycles would see duty.
By 1920 Harley had becom the worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. In this year 28,189 cycles had been produced.
Harley-Davidson had also become the first motorcycle ever to win a race with an average of 100 mph in 1921.
The twenties were a decade of innovation for Harley- Davidson. they also produced the front brake (1928).
Soon Harley-Davidson suffered along with everyone else when the stock market crashed in 1929.
In 1933 Harley only produced 3,700 cycles.
In 1936 Harley made the "Knucklehead" engine.
By 1941 Harley was producing cycles for Allied use during World War two. By the end of the war 90,000 WLA army-version motorcycles had been built and shipped.
In 1953 Harley-Davidson celebrated it's 50th anniversary, It's oldest and closest competitor, Indian, went out of business. The Sportster, "Father of superbikes", was introduced in 1957. Harley-Davidson purchased and converted a fiberglass boat companny in Tomahawk Wis.
In 1965 George Roeder set a world land speed record of 177.225 mph for 250CC motorcycles on a modified Harley-Davidson Sprint. With the additio n of an electric starter the Duo Glide became the Electra Glide in 1965, this was also the last year of the panhead engine.
Harley was the first to break the nine-second barrier in motorcycle Drag Racing in 1971. This year also marked the introduction of the Super Glide, which was considered the first true factory custom.
The 80 cu in. FLT Tour Guide inherited the title of, "King of the Highway" in 1980 and was the predecessor of today's Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles.
In 1983 the Harley- Davidson Owners Group (H.O.G.) was formed and is now the largest factory-sponsered motorcycle club in the world.
In 1987 Harley was approved for listin in the New York stock exchange.
In 1988 Harley celebrated its 85th anniversary with a cross country ride benefiting the musclar distrophy.
"In 1990 the Fat Boy became a favorite among Harleys when it was made.
On June 12, ten rides were riden in Milaukee in honor of harley's 90th anniversary.
1995 was a record year for the company with sales of 105,104 bikes."
Harley- Davidson forged into the future by staking its biggest claim to it's biggest asset--the past."
HAVE FUN AND SAFE RIDING!!!
My Favorite Cycle Links
Ray Williams Harley sales
Harley Davidson's offical page
Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.)
Campy's Harley site
Email: sumbum1@aol.com
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