Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, a Short History

 William Harley & Arthur Davidson made the humblest start for Harley-Davidson in 1903 when they produced their first motorcycle. It was intended to be a race bike and built inside a small wooden shed. Harley-Davidson Motor Company was written across the door. Harley-Davidson was able to produce 3 motorcycles within a year. See myhdfs to get more info.

Harley-Davidson hired it's very first employee and won their first race. Detroit Police Department received the Harley-Davidson police motorcycle three years later in 1908. H-D's six-story manufacturing facility was built in 1912; the company exported its first bikes to Japan. It is the first export outside of the United States.

H-D's entry into racing in 1914 is marked by the birth of "The Wrecking Crew". The company quickly became known for their dominance on the racetrack. In 1917, the Military would purchase one-third the motorcycles that were produced. A Service School for Harley-Davidson Mechanics for civilians and military machines was opened.

In Germany the first Harley-Davidson Motorcycle would be ridden by Corporal Roy Holtz in 1918. As of 1920, the Harley-Davidson company has more than 2,00 dealers across the globe and is the world's largest motorcycle producer.

In 1931 Harley-Davidson was the sole motorcycle manufacturer in America, except for Indian Motorcycle Company. Harley-Davidson & Indian was the sole motorcycle manufacturer in America from 1953. Harley moves back to Military production and turns the service-school into the Military motorcycle service school. At this time Harley-Davidson Motorcycles could not be purchased by the general public.

In 1945 wartime production is put on hold and civilian production resumes. H.D. begins to produce the now classic black leather biker jacket. Harley-Davidson continues to win races both on dirt and street.

Harley Sportster first appeared in 1952 under the name "K series". This would change in 1957. Harley-Davidson was the only manufacturer of motorcycles in the United States until 1953, when Hendee Manufacturing - the Indian motorcycle company - went out-of-business.

Elvis Presley poses on the cover of Enthusiast (the motorcycle enthusiast magazine) in 1956. Harley-Davidson was winning races over and over again in the 1960s. Harley merged into AMF.

Harley-Davidson, which underwent an overhaul and restructuring of the entire factory and business in 1970s brought about a craze for customizing among enthusiasts. In Milwaukee, all the production machinery undergoes major modernization.

Harley's were known to have massive vibrations and oil leaks. Harley enthusiasts find this an attractive feature. As the 80's arrived, the company made huge strides in dampening their vibrations, reducing oil leaks and oil-tightening them. Harley's became very comfortable with a combination of this and a new "Softail", frame, with rear-end shocks that were hidden. Harley-Davidson purchased the AMC merging company and took back control in 1981.