Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson developed in the year 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a one cylinder motorcycle. The gasoline engine was introduced around the turn of the century and then the one cylinder engine was born. Indian Motorcycles were the first in 1901 and Mitschell, Merkel and Yale in 1903.
Built for racing and powered by the one cylinder combustion engine 1903 was the year of the very first one cylinder motorcycle. It was beautiful and it worked well and somebody purchased it. By 1905 Harley Davidson had made 11 and in 1908, 154. They were a motorcycle company. The company was located in a small wooden barn made of wood for them by Davidson’s dad. They grew quickly and soon had 20 employees.
1909 saw the first 1000 cc V-twin engine. Bill Harley was very interested in this engine, it produced seen horsepower. Harley Davidson didn’t invent it, they just went with the flow, but the 45 degree V twin was one of the most easy to recognize of the Harley Davidson, they stayed with it for quite a long time.
“Bar and Shield” that is the Harley Davidson logo today was first seen in 1910. However, winning first place in lots of endurance trials, races and hill climbs brought fame to Harley Davidson.
In 1911 the F head engine was developed. It was the engine of choice until the flat head in 1929.
1912 was a year of big growth for the company. They began to build a brand new 6 floor factory building. This year saw them in over 200 dealerships in the United States and the first time to export to Japan.
The sidecar came to be in 1912 and Harley Davidson came to dominate motorcycle racing. They became known as the Wrecking Crew.
By 1917 around a third of the Harley Davidson motorcycles were sent to the United States military to help in the war effort. By the end of the war, 20,000 most of them Harley motorcycles were used in the war.
1918 found Harley Davidson as the largest motorcycle maker in the world. They even made it through the depression when many others did not. Due to the T Ford, automobile prices dropped and motorcycles fell out of favor. During this time, Harley Davidson did other things like, making side cars, airplane motor engines and parts, but they were also working to make their own product better.
The teardrop gas tank showed up around 1920 and there were some other changes to the motorcycle’s appearance. The single cylinder engine was again available in 1926 and in 1928; front wheel brakes and twin cam engines came along making it possible for the motorcycle to go 85 mph or more.
1930 and beyond showed much growth for the Harley Davidson motorcycle. The 1340 cc is the biggest Harley ever and has become the company’s trademark. 1936 was however, a big year. The Knucklehead came about and claimed victory over the Indian, then in 1947, Harley Davidson became the American motorcycle when the Panhead was driven out.
