Harley-Davidson

William A. Davidson, one of the co-founders of Harley-Davidson, was born in Milwaukee, WI.

William S. Harley, the main founder of Harley-Davidson, was born in Milwaukee, WI. He was given the middle name 'Sylvester' as he was born just after Christmas.

At the age of 21, William S. Harley finalizes a blueprint for an engine meant to be fitted onto a bicycle, marking a significant step in the creation of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, after being inspired by a vaudeville show featuring Anna Held, started experimenting with single-cylinder engines adapted to bicycles, leading to the founding of Harley-Davidson in 1903.

In 1906, Harley and the Davidson brothers constructed their first factory on Chestnut Street in Milwaukee, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1909, Harley-Davidson introduced the V-Twin engine, a two-cylinder engine that could reach speeds as high as 60 mph, marking a significant advancement in motorcycle technology.

Harley-Davidson starts exporting motorcycles to Japan and begins construction on a six-storey headquarters. The Parts and Accessories Dept. is established, and the company expands its dealer network to over 200 across America.

In 1917, approximately one-third of Harley-Davidson's production is acquired by the Army, leading to the initiation of the Quartermasters School to train Army mechanics. This school later transforms into the Service School, ensuring the availability of skilled mechanics for Harley-Davidson dealers post-war.

During World War I, almost half of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced were sold for use by the U.S. military. Corporal Roy Holtz, after the Armistice is signed, becomes the first American soldier to enter Germany on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson becomes the largest motorcycle manufacturer with over 2,000 dealers in 67 countries. The factory racing team, known as 'The Wrecking Crew', gains dominance in American racing and adopts a small pig as a mascot, leading to the nickname 'hogs' for their bikes.

In 1946, the 45 cubic-inch, flathead, WR production racer was introduced to comply with the stricter Class C AMA rules. The racer aimed to reduce costs for competitors by utilizing a flathead design, which allowed for a displacement of 750cc in Class C.

The Panhead engine was introduced by Harley-Davidson in 1948 as a replacement for the Knucklehead engine. It came in two variants, 61ci and 74ci, and was primarily used on EL, FL, and FLH models.

Arthur Davidson played a crucial role in building the first Harley-Davidson bikes, establishing the company, and solidifying the brand's iconic status in American history and popular culture.

The Ironhead engine was introduced in 1952 as the last in the series of Harley-Davidson engines to be called something-head. It featured cylinder heads made from iron instead of aluminum and powered the Sportsters motorcycles.

In 1953, Harley-Davidson introduces the KR racer in response to the British 500s dominating the dirt tracks and road courses in America. The KR, a 750cc flat-head, replaces the aging WR and WRTT production racers.

In 1955, the new KR begins a streak of winning seven consecutive Daytona 200 races. This period includes the transition from racing on the old beach course to the new Daytona International Speedway.

In 1960, Harley-Davidson recognized the potential of smaller motorcycles and launched its first and only scooter called the Topper. Additionally, the company bought a 50% stake in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aermacchi, known for producing fast and stylish single-cylinder bikes up to 350cc.

Harley Davidson ceased production of the Panhead engine in 1965. Despite this, Panhead engines are still in use today, produced by third-party manufacturers and commonly utilized in custom motorcycle builds due to their appealing engineering and design.

In 1966, Harley-Davidson updated the old Panhead motor to meet the demand for more power, introducing the Shovelhead engine with distinctive rocker boxes resembling coal shovels.

In 1968, the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) changed the rules regarding motorcycle engine displacement, allowing bikes with overhead valves to displace up to 750cc. This decision was influenced by lobbying efforts from import manufacturers who argued against the previous 250cc displacement advantage given to flathead motors.

In 1969, Harley-Davidson, sensing competition from Japanese motorcycle manufacturers like Honda, was sold to the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF). Unfortunately, under AMF ownership, the quality of Harley-Davidson motorcycles declined significantly, leading to negative reviews and a decrease in customer satisfaction.

In 1970, the racing department of Harley-Davidson introduced the XR-750 production racer, which featured a motor based on a destroked Sportster unit. Despite facing challenges initially, the XR-750 marked a significant development in Harley-Davidson's racing history.

In 1971, Harley-Davidson created the FX 1200 Super Glide by combining the spare front end of the XL series with the frame and motor of the FL series. This innovative approach led to the birth of the first cruiser model by the company.

In 1977, Harley-Davidson introduced the 1977 XLCR, a Cafe Racer model designed by Willie G. Davidson, which despite being highly sought-after by collectors today, was rejected by customers at the time. Additionally, the FXS Low Rider was also introduced in the same year.

In 1979, Harley-Davidson introduced the FXEF 'Fat Bob' motorcycle, known for its dual gas tanks and bobbed fenders.

After years of mismanagement by AMF, Harley-Davidson faces loss of customer loyalty and profits. Vaughn Beals leads a successful corporate turnaround by buying the division for $75 million, funding new product development, and implementing quality control.

The Evolution engine, also known as the Evo, was launched in 1984 as one of the most famous Harley engines. It was an evolution of the Shovelhead and powered the new Softail motorcycles.

In 1986, Harley-Davidson diversified its business by acquiring the Holiday Rambler motorhome company.

In 1987, Harley-Davidson made its Initial Public Offering and started trading on the NYSE with the ticker symbol HOG. The company also petitioned the ITC to relax the tariff on imported motorcycles, showcasing its ability to compete in the market.

By 1990, Harley-Davidson introduced the 'Fat Boy' model, becoming the sales leader in the heavyweight market once again. The false etymology of the name 'Fat Boy' was debunked, clarifying that it refers to the motorcycle's width when viewed head-on.

By 1992, Harley-Davidson became the first company to equip all its models (except for a few racing motorcycles) with drive belts, offering riders a smoother ride, longer-lasting alternative to chains, and eliminating the need for chain maintenance.

On February 1, 1994, Harley-Davidson submitted a trademark application for the distinct exhaust sound of their V-twin engine motorcycles. Despite facing opposition from competitors, the company aimed to protect the unique sound of their bikes.

In 1995, Harley-Davidson equipped their motorcycles with fuel injection for the first time. This technological advancement marked a significant shift in the performance and efficiency of Harley-Davidson bikes.

In 1998, Harley-Davidson establishes its first foreign factory in Manaus, Brazil. The company also acquires the remaining shares of Buell.

Since 1999, Harley-Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) team has been customizing the company's base models with higher-displacement engines, performance upgrades, special paint jobs, and more to create premium customizations for the factory custom market.

In 2000, Harley-Davidson decided to drop its U.S. Patent Office application for trademarking the iconic 'potato-potato' sound of its motors. Despite previous efforts and legal fees in the mid-90s, the company abandoned the application, with the vice president of marketing emphasizing the unique sound's importance to Harley-Davidson owners worldwide.

Harley-Davidson celebrated their 100th anniversary on September 1, 2003, with a grand event and concert featuring performances from various artists like Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, Kid Rock, and Tim McGraw.

In April 2004, the price of HOG shares dropped significantly from more than $60 to less than $40 due to softening demand following the unique 2003 model year, which was attributed to the practice of channel stuffing.

Construction began on the $75 million, 130,000 square-foot Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 1, 2006. The museum opened in 2008, showcasing the company's historic motorcycles and archives.

On July 11, 2008, Harley-Davidson announced the acquisition of the MV Agusta Group, which includes the MV Agusta and Cagiva motorcycle brands, for $109 million. The deal was finalized on August 8.

A $1,000 or $2,000 incentive is offered for the purchase of select 2022 or 2023 Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring, Adventure Touring, Trike, and Cruiser motorcycles at participating dealerships in the U.S. between April 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024.