Old Harley davidson - history begins part 1

History of the Great Harley Davidson Motorcycles

The origin of the motorcycle came from the existence of Harley Davidson. Who does not know Harley Davison (?) History of Harley Davidson originally from a simple idea, namely the intention of William Harley and Arthur Davidson to create a motor that can gobble up the hill in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The most important breakthrough is the machine configured V, which is then also known as the Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, Twin Cam up. This machine is a benchmark for other companies, especially from Japan, in making a big motor. Start with a 60 cc engine, Harley and Davidson started this long journey in 1903, when they were still at the early age of 20. The results of this first of two young men is a single cylinder engine with a capacity of 60 cc. their products can be managed to devour the road and climbs with ease. Later, because of this success, two of the brothers Arthur, Walter and William Davidson, joined. Two years later, they agreed to institutionalize their business into the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Co. When established, the company produces three units of the new motor. The third motor is generated from the'' factory'' in the Davidson family's home page. The so-called factory was a small shed behind the Davidson family home.



In 1906, the company moved to Juneau Avenue to occupy a larger space. Because they can work more freely, the year that Harley-Davidson motorcycles can produce 150 units. Most motorcycle they bought the local police. The reason, Harley-Davidson can be driven at high speed and reserve the agile movement. Six years after being founded, Harley-Davidson introduced a two-cylinder V configuration with a 45 degree angle. Engine capacity is 49.5 cubic inches (about 790 cc) and is able to produce about seven horsepower. With the machine, the speed of 60 miles per hour can be achieved. At that time, Harley-Davidson did not think it would be a model of the machine one of the characteristics of their products. That same year, Harley-Davidson managed to crack the 1,000-unit production, exactly 1149 units. Competition from other factories began to be felt, two years later. Apparently, the success of Harley-Davidson became the inspiration for other manufacturers to start a business. In 1911, at least there were up around 150 brands of motorcycles. They would be a competitor of Harley-Davidson, though not really heavy. The proof, Harley-Davidson is not difficult to increase production.

Old Harley davidson - history begins part 2

In 1913, when the plant was expanded, the old Harley Davidson almost reached 13,000 units. The number was increased again during the period 1916 to 1918, to around 20,000 units. This is mainly because the United States Government ordered two-wheeled vehicles for purposes of World War I. Entering the 1920's, Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with total production of 28 189 units. To market its products, Harley-Davidson has agents in 67 countries.



In this decade, Harley Davidson introduced a number of innovations. V engine developed capacity to 74 cubic inches (about 1184 cc). Gas tank teardrop design was introduced in 1925. In 1928, Harley-Davidson equipped with front brakes started. All the achievements were quite a Harley-Davidson of capital in the face of the Great Depression, economic recession in 1933. Although the number of production units declined until 3700, Harley-Davidson is able to survive. Other bike makers who also survived were the Indians. The company later became the only competitor of Harley-Davidson until the 1950s. When depression is complete, Harley-Davidson immediately step on the gas.



They introduced the EL model with a capacity of 976 cc. This popular engine models such as the Knucklehead. With Knucklehead, Harley-Davidson rose slowly. In 1936, total production reached 9812 Harley-Davidson unit.

Old Harley davidson - history begins part 3

World War II brought its own blessings, as well as a new milestone for the old Harley Davidson. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the entire production capacity allocated to the Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced for the benefit of the Allied forces. The need for civilian consumers abandoned altogether. During 1941-1945, approximately 90,000 units of Harley-Davidson WML series are made. For this achievement, Harley-Davidson got the medal'' E'' of the United States Navy. After the war, Harley-Davidson re-opened the tap of its civilian production. Many veterans were interested in motor performance, and want to restore the romance of riding a Harley-Davidson. Thousands of Harley-Davidson unit, both the production after the war as well as older models, the veterans moved into the house, the forerunner of Harley-Davidson fans.

In 1948, Harley-Davidson production rates became 31,163 units. That year, Harley-Davidson introduced a new innovation, which is 74 cubic inch engine equipped with hydraulic valve lifters that and aluminum cylinder head. The Panhead engine was called because the cylinder head cover resembling the frying pan upside down. Entering the 1950s, second generation of the founding family began to become the motor of the company. When celebrating the 50th anniversary, Harley-Davidson lived alone in the American motorcycle market. Traditional rivals, Indian, had gone out of business. In 1957, Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster, which is touted as the Father of Superbikes. A year later, Harley Davidson introduced the Duo Glide, which uses a hydraulic rear suspension to complement the front suspension fork model.

Old Harley davidson - history begins part 4

Next, in 1963, old Harley Davidson adopted the use of fiberglass in the motor-bike. For this purpose, they buy 60% stake in Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of fiberglass in Wisconsin. 1950-1960 year was also marked by the presence of bikers’ community, who introduced the biker culture. They are easily recognizable because it uses a leather jacket, covered in tattoos, and long hair. Wild Ones image of Marlon Brando was introduced through the film of the same appearances.


Harley-Davidson's official community itself was only established in 1983, with the name Harley Owner Group (HOG). It became the community's largest Harley-Davidson owners are supported directly by the manufacturer. Currently, the numbers of members of HOG close to one million people around the world. In 1965, Harley-Davidson went public. Four years later, American Machine and Foundry (AMF) a merger with Harley-Davidson. However, the merger is considered as the darkest period in the history of Harley-Davidson. The reason, in 1970 and 1980, motorcycles made in Japan that the price is very cheap to enter the market. When Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki entered the U.S. market, Harley-Davidson's market share has fallen dramatically, off the original 80% in 1969, to 20% ten years later.



Harley-Davidson executives react to the decline in market share. They are also looking for ways to save the company. To return Harley-Davidson to its originality, they submitted a proposal to Citicorp. With the funding support of U.S. $ 80 million from Citicorp, they buy back shares held by AMF (Citicorp stock was sold to Heller Financial Corporation, in 1986). The concept and philosophy of production and sales of Harley-Davidson was repaired. Initially, Harley-Davidson is a product that is affordable and easy to use and modify. That changed with the Harley-Davidson products are expensive and hard to find spare parts. To replace the rear lights, for example, Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners cannot just buy the shell, but having to buy whole parts.