Harley-Davidson History

The history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles encapsulates the development of the American motor industry. The company began in the Milwaukee backyard of its founder. It eventually grew to dominate world production. It faltered in the mid 20th century, but then recovered and is once again the world standard for high-powered highway cruising bikes.

In 1901, William S. Harley was 21 years old when he and a childhood friend, Arthur Davidson, began tinkering with an engine to power bicycles. Their first try was a seven-cubic-inch design that proved not powerful enough to push a bike up Milwaukee’s hills without peddling help from the rider. Then, they developed a 24 cubic inch engine in consultation with Ole Evinrude, who would develop the outboard boat motor. They also devised a loop-frame pattern similar to their cross-town competitor, Milwaukee Merkel. Together, these pioneering companies developed the modern motorcycle. The motorized peddle-bike was relegated to history.

Harley-Davidson continued to develop new models through the 1930s, expanding briefly into Japan. After World War II, Harley got two German firms as war reparations and incorporated their designs into a new line called Hummer, which sold through the 1950s and 60s.

Not long after the war, motorcycles and Harley, in particular, got a bad reputation from films like “The Wild One,” which was about motorcycle gangs terrorizing small towns. The Hell’s Angels and other outlaw gangs that sprung up in the 50s favored Harleys, which they chopped down into so-called devil machines. In the late 1960s, quality declined under new ownership.

Recovery came in 1983 with new owners. Rebel riders became romantic with films like “Easy Rider” and “Wild Hogs.” This caused middle and upper middle class baby boomers to begin riding together for adventure and holding mass rallies.