Harley-Davidson History

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Product

The company sells heavyweight (over 750 cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on the highway. Harley-Davidson motorcycles (popularly known as "Harleys") have a distinctive design and exhaust note. They are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customization that gave rise to the chopper-style of motorcycle. Harley-Davidson also supplies many American police forces with their motorcycle fleets.

History

HD considers 1903 to be its year of founding, though the Harley-Davidson enterprise could be considered to have started in 1901 when 21-year-old William S. Harley drew up plans for a small engine that displaced 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and had four-inch flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame.

Harley and his boyhood friend Arthur Davidson labored on their motor-bicycle using the northside machine shop at the home of their friend, Henry Melk. It was finished in 1903 with the help of Arthur's brother, Walter Davidson. Upon completion the boys found their power-cycle unable to conquer Milwaukee's modest hills without pedal assistance. Will Harley and the Davidsons quickly wrote off their first motor-bicycle as a valuable learning experiment

See also: List of Harley motorcycles

1907 Harley Davidson