Harley-Davidson is the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded
out of a small shed in 1903 by William S. Harley and brothers Arthur and
Walter Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Motor Company produces
traditional cruiser motorcycles utilizing air-cooled V-Twin engines.
When Harley and Davidson produced and sold their first motorcycle in
1903, they were one of many small motorcycle marques springing up across
the country. Flash forward more than a century and the Harley-Davidson
brand is so rooted in American culture that the history of the company
intertwines with the history of America itself.
Harley-Davidson incorporated in 1907, with William Davidson officially
joining forces with his two brothers and Harley. Setting down roots in
Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson began hiring employees and by the end of the
decade were producing bikes using its signature 45-degree air-cooled
V-Twin.
During the next decade H-D continued to expand. Many sales were
generated by Uncle Sam, with the American military sourcing Harley
motorcycles during the First World War.
The Bar and Shield continued to grow and by the early ‘30s, its only
surviving domestic rival was Indian. Again H-D expanded in peacetime and
found itself producing high quantities of bikes for the American
military during World War II. Harley-Davidson press material cites its
wartime motorcycle production at 90,000 units.
Post-war Harley-Davidson developments include the introduction of the
Sportster in 1957, the oldest production model in the current H-D
lineup, as well as other signature H-D models.
Harley experienced changes in ownership in the ‘60s, going public in 1965 and eventually merging with American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. A decline in fortunes saw AMF sell its stake back to current ownership, which included members of the founding families, in the early ‘80s. The Davidson family’s involvement in the day-to-day running of H-D continues, with direct descendent Willie G. Davidson serving as President of Styling.
The ‘80s and ‘90s saw the introduction of model families that continue
to this day, like the Softail, FLT and Road King lines, joining classic
models like the Electra Glide. In the ‘90s Harley-Davidson also
solidified its hold over Buell motorcycles, taking a controlling stake
in the American sportbike/street bike manufacturer and selling Buell
motorcycles at many H-D dealers.
Since the turn of the century, Harley-Davidson has retained its image as
a classic American icon. But the Motor Co is reaching out to other
riders with the introduction of more performance-oriented models, like
the V-Rod – significant as the first liquid-cooled production Harley. As
the riding demographic ages, H-D is also realizing it must break into
the younger market with the release of edgier makeovers of its classic
models like the Cross Bones and other members of its Dark Custom line
like the Iron 883.
Harley-Davidson has also been working hard to improve the riding quality
of its touring bikes. In 2009, it did away with the stamped and welded
single-piece frame that anchored Harley touring motorcycles for the last
30 years and replaced it with a cast, single-spar, rigid-backbone
frame. It also went with a wider, longer swingarm. H-D also introduced a
new three-wheel motorcycle called the Tri Glide that has the classic
styling and popular touring features of its best-selling Ultra Classic
Electra Glide.
Harley-Davidson also demonstrates what can be done with products from
its vast Genuine Motor Accessories and Motor Parts catalog in the form
of its CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) line. The CVO motorcycles are
models from Harley’s standard lineup that have received the royal
treatment, like the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, show-topping
custom paint and top-shelf H-D controls and components.
ENGINES
One constant of Harley-Davidson, since almost the very beginning, has been the use of 45-degree air-cooled V-Twins. Popular Harley powerplants and their service timelines are seen below, courtesy of the Harley-Davidson archives.
Twin Cam 103 1999-2006
Twin Cam 96 2007-Present
Twin Cam 88B (counter balanced version of the Twin Cam 88) 2000-2006
Twin Cam 88 2000-2006
Evolution 1340cc 1984-1999
Shovelhead 1966-1985
Panhead 1948-1965
Knucklehead 1936-1947
Flathead 1930 -1948
F-Head, aka JD, pocket valve and IOE (intake over exhaust) 1914-1929 (1000cc), and 1922-1929 (1200cc)
Revolution Engine 2001-Present
Evolution Sportster 1986-Present
Ironhead Sportster 1957-1985 Flathead K Model 1952-1956
RACING
The public best knows Harley-Davidson for is cruisers, but the American
firm does have a storied racing past. Pre-WWII riders like Joe Petrali
made a name for himself campaigning the Bar and Shield in AMA Hillclimb
and Dirt Track races, with Petrali scoring numerous Grand National
titles.
Post war, H-D continued to wreak havoc on dirt tracks and the American
marque found success in road racing as well. One name forever linked
with Harley-Davidson is Cal Rayborn. The AMA Hall of Famer won
back-to-back Daytona 200s for Harley and also set the ultimate
motorcycle land speed record at Bonneville with a 265.492 mph run in a
Harley-Davidson-powered streamliner.
On the dirt track, the Harley-Davidson XR750 dominated the AMA series.
The most successful dirt tracker in H-D history was Scott Parker, who
tallied 93 wins and nine championship titles under the Bar and Shield
banner. Another Flat Track racer linked to the Harley name and the XR750
is Chris Carr, a seven-time Flat Track champion.
Present racing success is focused in the NHRA drag and AMA Flat Track
series. Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec lead the factory Vance &
Hines NHRA squad. Krawiec won his first NHRA title in 2009, while
factory rider and defending champion Kenny Coolbeth continues to be the
rider to beat in the AMA Flat Track series.
