| From an uncertain beginning in a Milwaukee basement | | | | Since the inception of the 1984 FXST Softail, the |
| in 1903, Harley Davidson has witnessed and been | | | | company was able to innovate and come up with a |
| through everything from the Great Depression to | | | | whole new marketing concept that center around |
| two world wars. It was once the world's largest | | | | motorcycle style and design. This brought about the |
| producer of motorcycles, but as a result of increasing | | | | age of the Retro-Tech in the motorcycle industries. |
| competition from Europe and Japan, Harley's sales | | | | Almost overnight, designers at the company created |
| had once shrunk to a mere 10,000 units per year | | | | a credible range of motorcycles and together with |
| during the 1950s. These nearly bought about the | | | | the rescue package from Heller Financial Corporation |
| downfall of the once-proud giant in the motorcycle | | | | and the promising stance of the lively new Harley-D, |
| industries. | | | | the new management is able to reverse the tides |
| With a set of new management taking over the | | | | and overtake Honda in 1986 as the top producer in |
| company in the 1970s, confusion about its markets | | | | the motorcycle industries. |
| and almost vintage model range made the Harley | | | | Now, the company with its inspired styling and brilliant |
| Davidson almost a joke in the whole motorcycle | | | | marketing technique, together with modern |
| industries. In the mid-1980s, the formerly vivacious | | | | manufacturing techniques is booming once again. |
| dream factory was effectively penniless and near | | | | Harley Davidson has once again trail blaze confidently |
| bankruptcy. | | | | into the future in the motorcycle industries. |