A Summary History Of Harley-Davidson

In 1905 Harley-Davidson wins it's first race and hiresmajor modernization and a new larger production
it's first emplyee. Three years later, in 1908,plant in Milwaukee.
Harley-Davidson sold the first motorcycle to be usedHarley's have been known to always have oil leaks
in police servic to the Detroit Police Department. Inand vibrate massively, sort of an attraction with
1912 H-D started building it's 6 story factory andHarley afficianado's. The 80's came in with a huge
exports it's first bikes to Japan, the first time salesturn around with the motorcycle company, in
were extended outrside of the United States.dampening the vibration, quelling the oil leaks and
1914 marks the year H-D formally enters itself intomaking them oil tight. This coupled with a new belt
the national racing circuit, and is quickly known asdrive instead of chain drive and the new "Softtail"
"The Wrecking Crew" for it's dominance in the racingframe with hidden rear end shocks, Harley's became
industry. By 1917 one-thrid of all motorcyclesa very smooth and comfortable ride. 1981 was also
produced would be sold to the military, and was alsothe year Harley-Davidson bought out the merger
the start of the Service School for Harley-DavidsonAMC and took control back of the company.
Mechanics, for both military and civilian bikes.The Motorcycle Company is traded on the American
By 1918 half of all bikes produced were shipped offStock Exchange, the first time since 1969, the year
to military for service in World War 1, and CorporalAMF merged with H-D. 1987 is the year H-D is traded
Roy Holtz would be the first soldier to ride aon the New York Stock Exchange, and is publicly
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in Germany. 1920 markstraded and the companies confidence in itself as a
the year that the motorcycle company is the largestleader in teh motorcycle industry is evident in this
in the world in the motorcycle industry, and has overmove, as well as starting the "Buy Back Program" in
2,000 dealers in 67 countries worldwide.which owners of older Harleys can trade in their old
1931 is the year that almost all of Harleysmodels and get full trade-in price on a new "HOG".
competitors are gone, with the exception of theHarley celebrates it's 90 birthday and has a family
Indian Motorcycle Company. Harley-Davidson andreunion in Milwaukee, also taking a financial interest in
Indian are the only two motorcycle companies inBuell Motorcycles started by Erik Buell to manufacture
America, until 1953. As the world enters into WorldAmerican sport motorcycles using Harley-Davidson
War 2, so does Harley go back into MilitaryEngines and in 1994 enters into the superbike racing
motorcycle production, and the service school isindustry with it's first liquid cooled bike called the
turned back into the military motorcycle serviceVR1000. Harley celebrates 95 years in 1998 and
school, also known as the Quartermaster School for140,000 riders come to Milwaukee to help with the
military mechanics. During this time the public couldparty and celebration. Harley buys another 49% of
hardly get their hands on a Harley-DavidsonBuell motorcyles making them the majority owner in
Motorcycle.the company and making the founder Erik Buell
In 1945 The wartime production slows to a halt andchairman of operations.
a civilian production starts up again, and in 1947 H-DIn 2003, more than 250,000 riders converge on
starts to sell what is now the classic black leatherMilwaukee for the final stop of the "Open Road
motorcycle jacket. Throughout this whole time HarleyTour" and to celebrate Harley-Davidson's 100th
is consistantly winning races on street and dirt overAnniversary and Party. Harley-Davidson and the
and over and still dominates the racing circuit.Muscular Dystrophy Association(MDA) mark 25 years
1952 was the year the Harley Sportster made it'stogether as partners in the fight against Muscular
debut, but as the "K" series. It would not be untilDystrophy. In 2006 Harley annouces plans to open a
1957 that it wouldn't be named as such. In 1953museum for the motorcycle company and plans for
Halrey-Davidson would become the sole motorcyclethe opening to be in 2008.
manufacturer in the United States when HendeeThrough this time H-D has been winning races and
Manufacturing, the the Indian motorcycle company,helping charities and people to make life better. This
goes out of business.brief history on the building of the company is just a
Elvis Presley poses for a cover shot of Enthusiast,part of the Harley-Davidson legacy. Most people
the motorcycle enthusiast magazone, in 1956. Theassociate H-D with outlaw bikers and black leather
1960's showed Harley winning race ofter race afterjackets but many people don't know the otherside
race, and he merge with the American Machine andof things with Harley-Davidson. The work with
Foundry Campany, or AMF.charities and racinf through out the whole growth of
The 1970s ushered in a customizing craze amongstthe company are things many people don't realize
ehtusiasts, and Harley-Davidson going through aabout this little family owned company, that is now
company and factory wide renovation andAmericas biggest motorcycle manufacturer.
restructuring. All production machinery goes through a