| s a decisive day in the history of American | | | | power plant was producing 10bhp which gave the |
| automobile culture in 1902, when two young friends | | | | bike a top speed of 60mph. |
| left their stable jobs at a Milwaukee engineering firm | | | | Initially Harley-Davidson was reluctant to get |
| to embark upon a venture that would irrevocably | | | | themselves involved in racing, such as reliability runs |
| shape the course of motorcycle history forever. | | | | however, by 1914 they changed their minds and |
| This was the day when William S Harley and Arthur | | | | entered a factory team. The firm’s |
| Davidson designed and built the first single-cylinder | | | | Milwaukee crew, the “Wrecking |
| engine (400CC) right out of a toolshed in Davidson's | | | | Crew” rode powerful 8-valve V-twins which |
| backyard. | | | | were very competitive against the rival Merkel and |
| Although though the first motor was reliable, it was | | | | Excelsior, and Indian. This became a great period for |
| enlarged because it was underpowered. The initial | | | | Harley-Davidson as production rose to more than |
| frame was too weak to hold the new engine so it | | | | 22,000 bikes and 16,000 sidecars in 1919. These |
| was replaced with a stronger, more substantial | | | | numbers were cut in half in the upcoming 2 years |
| structure that was built similar to the prototype. In | | | | mainly because of the Model T Ford, which put the |
| 1903 they produced two more bikes and three the | | | | majority of American motorcycle companies out of |
| following year. By 1907, Harley Davidson’s | | | | business. |
| growing reputation for their reliable product helped to | | | | Harley-Davidson is known for its large capacity |
| push their annual production rate to over 150. The | | | | V-twins but the smaller 45ci Forty Five played a vital |
| year was also 1907 when Harley Davidson decided it | | | | part in the history of the company. The Forty Five, |
| was time to raise money for expansion. They | | | | produced in 1928, was the first machine with a total |
| became a corporation and divided the shares among | | | | loss oil system. It was restyled and updated 9 years |
| seventeen employees. They moved themselves out | | | | later to create the W series. It was the simple and |
| of the Davidson’s shed and into a much | | | | strong Forty Five that kept Harley-Davidson in |
| bigger premise which is still their location – | | | | business through the Depression of the |
| Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee. | | | | 1930’s. The WLA model proved to be a |
| The early models of Harley-Davidson motorbikes had | | | | useful military machine in which close to 80,000 were |
| no lights and no suspension. Within a few years after | | | | being used in the Second World War. These |
| production began, Harley’s soon had fitted | | | | “war bikes” were converted for |
| leading link forks a magneto ignition and a carbide gas | | | | civilian use after the war was over which helped to |
| headlamp. The model 5 produced in 1909 had about | | | | popularize Harley-Davidson worldwide. |
| 4bhp from its 494cc inlet over exhaust engine, with a | | | | In 1936, while still suffering the effects of the |
| speed of 45mph. Bicycle petals were used to start | | | | Depression, Harley-Davidson introduced the Model |
| the engine. Once the bike was in motion the leather | | | | 61E. This model’s 61cc V-twin engine was a |
| drive belt was tightened using a hand lever. (To have | | | | huge advancement over other models due to its |
| a more contemporary view of what harley davidson | | | | overhead valve design and recirculating oil system. |
| parts now look like, please visit our website). | | | | The neat style of the 61E helped it become a huge |
| The first V-twin Harley was built in 1909. It was the | | | | success. It became known as the knucklehead |
| model 5D but was not an immediate success. The | | | | because of the shape of the engines rocker covers. |
| V-twin produced close to 7bhp, which was almost | | | | It gave it a technical advantage over its rival Indian |
| twice as much as the single engine but it was difficult | | | | and became the ancestor to modern Harley’s. |
| to start and suffered from a slipping drive belt. Two | | | | Harley-Davidson will forever be synonymous with |
| years later, in 1911, they introduced the 45-degree | | | | producing great bikes. What started as a dream, |
| V-twin with a revised valve gear, new frame and had | | | | survived the Depression, and is still going strong |
| been fitted with a full floating seat and chain drive. | | | | today. There is nothing quite like hearing the rumble |
| These new improvements made a huge difference | | | | of a Harley as you’re heading for the |
| which caused the V-twin’s popularity to grow. | | | | highway. |
| By the year 1913 the model 9E’s 1000cc | | | | |