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.
Welcome to my Harley Website!
This page was last updated on
2003-08-13
I will turn 40 in the year of 2003.
Harley Davidson will turn 100 years in 2003.
This will be the year to make the dream come true.
Getting a Harley Davidson.
The long-life dream has come true!
See at bottom!
If you want to send me some nice photos, interesting stories or a
bargain for a Harley,
send me an e-mail at:
harleydavidson@janesten.com
The following is the history of Harley Davidson, compliments to the Harley Davidson Motor Company.
I have added some information from my life and experiences with Harley
Davidson,
my memories and dreams.
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.
1903
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. 1903 production: 3
motorcycles.
1906-1907
Harley-Davidson erected its first building at the current Juneau Avenue site in 1906 and
they incorporated in 1907. 1907 production: 150 motorcycles.
1909
The trademark 45 degree V-Twin engine, introduced in 1909, displaced 49.5 cu in and
produced seven horsepower. Top speed: 60 mph. 1909 production: 1,149 motorcycles.
1913
The original 28' x 80' factory had grown to 297,110 square feet. Harley began to dominate
racing events. 1913 production: 12,904 motorcycles.
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.
1920
Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, boasting dealers
in 67 countries. 1920 production: 28,189 motorcycles.
1921
In February 1921, on a Fresno, Calif., board track, a Harley-Davidson became the first
motorcycle ever to win a race with an average speed over 100 mph. 1921 also saw the
development of the first 74 cu in. V-Twin engine.
1922-1928 - My father was born in 1925
The Twenties were a decade of innovation for Harley-Davidson, including the Teardrop gas
tank (1925) and the front brake (1928).
1929-1933 - My mother was born in 1929
After the stock market crash of October 1929, Harley-Davidson sales suffered with everyone
else's in the industry. By 1933, production in Milwaukee had dropped to 3,700 motorcycles.
1936
Harley-Davidson wasted no time building momentum out of the depression, introducing its EL
model, featuring the 61 cu in. overhead valve engine, also known as the
"Knucklehead." 1936 production: 9,812 motorcycles.
1941-1945
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.
1948
After the war, motorcyclists were eager to get back to their sport. To feed their desire
for more motorcycles, 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.
1953 - My sister was born
As Harley-Davidson celebrated its 50th nniversary, its oldest and closest competitor,
Indian, went out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as the sole survivor in a once
overcrowded American motorcycle marketplace. 1953 production: 14,050 motorcycles.
1957-1958 - My brother was born in 1956
The Sportster, father of the superbikes, was introduced in 1957, followed in 1958 by the
Duo Glide, 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.
1963 - A year to be proud of? Well, I was born!
In 1962, when it became apparent that fiberglass was becoming a versatile material for
golf cars and motorcycles, Harley-Davidson purchased and converted a fiberglass boat
company in Tomahawk, Wis.
1963 - Design director
Willie G. Davidson joined Harley-Davidson as design director.
1965 - Now we are talking about speed
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.
1965-1966
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. The "Shovelhead"
engine took over the V-Twin mantle in 1966. 1966 production: 36,310 motorcycles.
1969
After going public for the first time in 1965, Harley-Davidson took a new turn in 1969 by
merging with the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF). Rodney Gott, AMF's chairman,
had been a Harley fan since pre-World War II.
1971
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. 1971 also marked the introduction
of the Super Glide, considered the first true factory custom.
1974-1975
To help meet the demand of a booming motorcycle marketplace, chassis manufacturing and
final assembly operations moved to a plant in York, Pa. Engine and transmission operations
remained in Milwaukee, along with the corporate headquarters. 1975 production: 75,403
motorcycles.
1976-1978
Continuing the Harley-Davidson tradition of racing dominance, Jay "Springer"
Springsteen won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
1980
The 80 cu in FLT Tour Glide, with five-speed transmission, oil bath enclosed rear chain
and a vibration isolated engine, inherited the title of "King of the Highway"
and was the predecessor to today's Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles.
1981 - I graduated from High School in Waldoboro, Maine - Class of '81
On February 26, 1981, a group of thirteen senior Harley-Davidson executives, led by Vaughn
Beals, signed a letter of intent to purchase the company from AMF. Settled by June 16,
1981, the executives celebrated with a ride from York to Milwaukee. 1981 production:
41,586 motorcycles.
1982
I was engaged to my girlfriend (who had been my friend since 1974)
1983 - The year that my father-in-law became a Harley owner
To get Harley owners more involved in the sport, the company formed the Harley Owners
Group (H.O.G.), now the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle club in the world. Also in
1983, tariffs were imposed on Japanese motorcycles 700CC or larger in response to unfair
trade practices.
1984
After seven years of development, Harley-Davidson introduced the 1340CC V2 Evolution
engine. Designed for high reliability with a minimum of scheduled maintenance, the engine
produced more power at every speed.
1984
Getting two weeks of absence from the services, visiting a friend in Denmark.
(Itīs not my Harley, itīs my father-in-lawīs)
1985
Here with my father-in-law, mother-in-law and my feance on our bikes traveling through
Norway.
I also began working at my first job.
1986 - My first son was born
Harley-Davidson returned to public ownership by offering two million shares of common
stock and a concurrent offering of $70 million principal amounts of subordinated notes due
1996.
1987 - I married my lovely wife
In March 1987, Harley-Davidson petitioned the International Trade Commission for early
termination of the tariffs on Japanese motorcycles. In July, Harley-Davidson was approved
for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
1988 - My daughter was born
The 1988 product line featured the first 74 cu in Sportster, with 1200 CCs of power. Also,
to mark the company's 85th anniversary, a cross-country ride was held, benefiting the
Muscular Dystrophy Association. 1988 production: 47,325 motorcycles.
1990 - My second son was born and I have been working with the same company for five
years.
The Fat Boy became a favorite the second it was introduced.
1991-1992
Scott Parker became only the second rider in history to win four consecutive AMA Grand
National Championships, 1988-91. The following year, he was dethroned by Chris Carr, who
now races Superbikes with Harley-Davidson's VR1000, but he came back to win the title
again in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
1993
On June 12, ten rides converged on Milwaukee for a festival to commemorate the company's
90th anniversary. More than 100,000 enthusiasts came for the event, highlighted by an
eight-mile long parade featuring 60,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
1994
After a short hiatus from superbike racing, Harley stormed back into road racing with the
introduction of the VR1000, ridden in its inaugural season by Miguel Duhamel.
1994 - This is the year that I start to get the urge for a V-twin
(above is my substitute - Honda VT 600 Shadow)
1995 - I have been working ten years with the same company.
1995 was a record year for the company, with record sales from the production of 105,104
motorcycles.
1996-1997
With the introduction of the Heritage Springer Softail, Harley-Davidson forged into the
future by staking claim to its biggest asset -- the past.
2000
This will be the fiftheenth year that I work for the same company, still enjoying it.
My dreams are bigger than ever. Are they closer than ever?
Some of my friends have got their own Harleyīs.
When will it be my turn?
I just read in the newspaper that Harley Davidson and Porsche is doing a joint adventure
on developing an engine that will probably be released in 2003. I hope not.
October 2000
The dream has come true already!
I am now the proud owner of a Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 C 2001.
Since my wife started to drive motorcycle, I "had to" get a new bike (for me),
so she can take the Honda Shadow.
I donīt mind............
! ! ! ! !
October 2002
Iīve done it, after more than two and half years of waiting (thatīs how long
since I pre-booked the 100:th anniversary)!
Weīve sold the Honda and the Sportster and will now ride 2 on 1.
Iīve got us a brand new Ultra Classic Electra Glide 2003, in Sterling Silver/Vivid
Black.
Imagine how surprised my wife turned out to be when there was a new bike on the
driveway!
I will give here some time to get used to it.......
Just look at the pictures below and enjoy.
Thatīs what I do.
I wonder how it will do as a christmas tree in the livingroom?
I just have to get it through the door!
! ! ! ! !
2003
I will turn 40, and so will my lovely wife.
Letīs spend the time together...... (Rolling Stones?)
To be continued...............