The History of Harley Davidson Motorcycles

The beginnings of the present largest motor company started over a century ago in the year 1901 with the plans of a small engine made by 21 year old William S. Harley to fit in a regular pedal bicycle. He then was joined by his childhood friend Arthur Davidson two years later for the development of a one cylinder engine, but that engine failed to climb higher hills.

Their failure forced them to develop a new motor and they came up with the first “real” Harley Davidson motorcycle that was a 405 cc engine and weighed about 28 pounds. It participated in a race a year later and ended up with the fourth position making it the first ever noticeable appearance of Harley Davidson. Their 10 x 15 feet area factory shifted to Chestnut Street in the year 1906.  

The year 1907 saw William S. Harley graduate and being a Mechanical engineer helped him to add new developed facilities that increased the sales of Harley Davidson to 150 in the year 1907. The year introduced us to a 45-degree V-Twin engine that ruled the market until the introduction of an improved V-Twin model in 1911.

In the meantime sales increased to 1,149 machines in the year 1909. The improved V-Twin engines were smaller in size but its better performance made it the major model from 1913 and in the year 1914 the sales touched 16,284. 

World War I led to devastation and loss for many nations but proved to be beneficial for the sales of Harley Davidson as they fulfilled the need of 20.000 machines for combat service during the War. At the end of 1920 Harley rose to the top position in the World producing over 28,189 machines.

By then the Harley was being sold in 67 countries. With the advent of years new improvements took place in the Machines with the introduction of 1200 cc V-Twin engines followed by a “teardrop” gas tank and a front brake. But the depression began with the introduction of 45 inches model that cut down the sales from 21,000 to 4,000 in the year 1933. To overcome this huge loss the company began to manufacture industrial power plants and a three wheeled Servi-Car.

In the 3rd decade all the flat head engines were replaced by dry-sump oil recirculation system and in the year 1941 74 cubic inch engines were introduced, replacing the 80cubic inch flathead engines.  With the advent of the 2^nd World War they again had to produce a large number of motor cycles for the US army.

Harley Davidson copied the BMW engine and produced the 750 cc 1942 Harley-Davidson XA model to provide for the needs of the US army.  In the early 1970’s the company was purchased by American Machinery and Foundry. With the changed policies it led to labor strikes which resulted in low production, damaging the popularity and reputation of the company.

In the 1980’s it was purchased by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals and since then Harley Davidson has thrived.