100 Years Of Harley-Davidson

100 Years Of Harley-Davidson

Around a century ago, a company named “Harley-Davidson” (or HD) was founded. In 1903, two friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin named William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, joined forces to create motorcycles. Together, they started working on the prototype and eventually sought the help of Arthur’s brothers, Walter and William Davidson. Walter was a skilled mechanic. William was an experienced toolmaker. The group established the HD Company, which was later incorporated.

That same year (1903) the company released 3 motorcycles. Each one was purchased before it had been finished. Originally, the standard color of these new HD motorcycles was gray. They were even nicknamed “The Silent Gray Fellows.”

Towards the end of 1905, the Harley-Davidson company was selling their bikes for $200. However, the company had also begun selling motorcycle motors, marine motors, reversible propellers and float feed carburetors.

Throughout the next decade popularity of the HD motorcycles continued to grow. By 1914, nine departments of the federal government of the United States used HDs. One particular department, the U.S. Postal service, single-handedly used over 4,800 Harley-Davidson motorcycles for rural mail delivery.

The military began using HDs around 1916 in battles at the border with Pancho Villa. Equipped with machine guns, these motorcycles meant business. At this same time, half of all HD bikes produced were being shipped overseas to be used in World War I. Due to the war, the first Harley-Davidson Service School was organized- yet another need that HD was able to capitalize on.

The war ended and a new era was ushered in by the 1920s – the era of racing. HD was a dominant force in this aspect as well. Although the Great Depression struck in the early 1930s, Harley-Davidson was able to pull through and continue to prosper.

During the Second World War in the 1940s, HD was once again called upon by the U.S. military.

In the 1950s, the company started employing newer and more aggressive marketing strategies. Although war had broke out in Korea, Harley-Davidson motorcycles had lost popularity with the military with the development of the Jeep. Unfazed by this change, HD turned its complete focus on the rest of society.

The HD company did not escape the changes that the world went through during the 1960s. Branching out into an unrelated field, 3-wheeled golf carts were produced. These golf carts made up about a third of the entire U.S. golf cart market by 1969, and were even exported to foreign countries. At the same time, an impressive line of motorcycle accessories were being manufactured and sold.

Racing during the 1970s continued to flourish. Powerful innovations were incorporated in the HD racing bikes. In late 1970, the company also showcased its brand new snowmobile. The biggest change around this time might have been the unification between HD and the AMF (American Machinery and Foundry).

Harley-Davidson was bought back from AMF in the 1980s and returned to being privately owned. With a fresh spark of interest, they began building bigger and better machines. For the majority of the 80s, HD held a contract with the California Highway Patrol.

The 1990s brought the emergence of HD’s most customized factory custom motorcycle to date, the FLSTF Fat Boy. While using new parts and technology, the Fat Boy boasted a classic look.

To this day, Harley-Davidson is going strong. Current bikes such as the Sporster, the Dyna, the Softail, and the VRSC keep the company revived with the same passionate spirit that inspired William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Several models are available for each line, with bikes now ranging from $6,000 to $25,000.