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The History of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company 1903

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company began in 1903 and set the stage for all motorcycle companies thereafter. The first production of the Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle occurred in a small wooden shack in 1903 through the efforts of two men by the names of William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. The two had named their company and called it the “Harley-Davidson Motor Company.”

William A. Davidson, Arthur’s brother, joined them around this time. This bike was built to be a racer and as such, it utilised a 3½-inch stroke and a 3½-inch bore.

In 1904, the very first dealer for Harley-Davidson was opened C.H. Lang of Chicago, Illinois. That year, he sold one of the first three Harley-Davidson motorcycles that had been created.

The next year in Chicago, a 15-mile race was held. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle won the race with a time of only 19 hours and 2 minutes. A new employee is hired at Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

In 1906, the wooden shack is exchanged for a new factory that measured 28 by 80 feet, vastly improving the amount of space they had to work with. At this point, the number of employees increased to six full-time workers. It was during this year that the first motorcycle catalog is printed by Harley-Davidson. The nickname, “Silent Gray Fellow” comes into existence.

Walter C. Davidson, another brother, decides to quit the Milwaukee Road Railroad and join the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in the year 1907. On September 17th, the company is incorporated. The four founders split the stock among themselves equally. Dealer recruitment begins in earnest as the factory continues to increase production and grow.

In 1908, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle begins to gain steam as Walter Davidson participates in the 7th Annual Federation of American Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability Contest. He receives a perfect score. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle continues to gain momentum in the gossip circles as Walter Davidson sets a record for the FAM economy at less than 189 miles per gallon. The Detroit Police Department makes a purchase of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the first one ever sold for police use.

Spare parts and a V-twin powered motorcycle make their debut on the market in 1909. The year 1910 is an exciting one for this motorcycle. At least seven winning riders for a variety of races are riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the bar and shield logo is used for the first time.

In 1911, the famous bar and shield logo is trademarked at the patent office for the company. The company implements the F-head engine for the motorcycle for the next 18 years.

In 1912, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company goes abroad, beginning with Japan. The factory grows in leaps and bounds to a six-story facility. Plus, a parts and accessories department is formed.

The next few years bring more firsts to the company. A racing department is formed in 1913. The Forecar delivery van and sidecars are made available to customers. Brake pedals and clutches are now available. The company enters motorcycle racing with its own engineer, William S. Harley. The team receives the nickname, the “Wrecking Crew,” because of its ability to win.

Three speed sliding-gear transmissions are placed on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. On 1916, a new motorcycle magazine enters the world as the “Enthusiast.” In 1917, about 30% of the available Harley-Davidson motorcycles are sold to the military. Training is offered to mechanics in the military. The sale of motorcycles to the military continues to increase throughout 1918.

By the year 1920, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has become the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world and it is located in 67 different countries. In 1925, Joe Petralo begins to race for the company. He becomes one of the most successful and well-known racers.

Front wheel brakes now accompany the rest of the motorcycle in 1929. Indian is the only American competition left by the year 1931. Sales slump. Graphic designs enter the picture as a means of enticing new customers. The first eagle is painted on Harley-Davidson gas tanks.

The Rikuo motorcycle is manufactured in Japan in 1935 once Harley-Davidson sells licensing blueprints, dies, tools, and machinery to the Sankyo Company. In 1941, production again caters to the military. In 1946, one of the best racing motorcycles is produced, the 45 cubic inch flathead WR racing motorcycle.

The classic black motorcycle jacket walks onto the stage in 1947. A new logo is created in 1953 to commemorate 50 years of superior technology and winning racing. In 1957, the Sportster® is introduced.

The next few years bring the Harley-Davidson Topper motor scooter, the Sprint, the use of more fiberglass in production, the Electra-Glide, more racing wins, and the shovelhead engine. In 1969, the company forms a merger with AMF, the American Machine and Foundry Company.

With the 1970s, a new Sportster®-based motorcycle enters the picture along with the FX 1200 Super Glide®. Plus, 1971 issues in Harley-Davidson snowmobiles. On 1973, assembly production moves to Pennsylvania, although everything else remains in Milwaukee.

In 1980, the FXB Sturgis is introduced along with the FXWG Wide Glide. Thirteen senior executives decide to buy back the company form AMF. In 1983, the Harley Owners Group® is formed, becoming the largest motorcycle club sponsored by a factory.

During the 1990s, the company continues to expand and grow. In 1991, a paint facility joins the assembly operation in Pennsylvania. In 1996, Wisconsin becomes home to the Parts and Accessories Department. A new Product Development center opened in Milwaukee in 1997 and the Powertrain Operations also expanded.

From 2000 to 2007 lots of new models appear including the FXSTD Softail® Deuce, the Balst®, the CRSCA V-Rod®, the Buell® Firebolt®, the Lightning® XB9S, the FLHRSI Road King® Custom, the XL 883L Sportster® 883, the FLSTNI Softail® Deluxe, the FXDB/I Street Bob™, and the FLHX/I Street Glide™.

During the year 2008, a museum is scheduled to open in Milwaukee.

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