Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG, formerly HDI), often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression.

The company sells today only heavyweight motorcycles with over 700 cc, designed for cruising on highways. Harley-Davidson motorcycles, or "Harleys", are noted for the tradition of heavy customization. Harley-Davidson's attempts to establish itself in the light motorcycle market have met little success and have largely been abandoned since the 1978 sale of its Italian Aermacchi subsidiary.

In 1901, William S. Harley, age 20, drew up plans for a small engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (102 mm) flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. On a practice, though, it was only experiment, somewhat unsuccessful but a start for more. So first "real" Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with 9.75 inches (25 cm) flywheels weighing 28 lb (13 kg).

In September 8, 1904, Harley competed in a Milwaukee motorcycle race held at State Fair Park. This is the first documented appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the historical record.

Production in 1905 and 1906 were all single-cylinder models with 26.84 cubic inches (440 cc) engines. Starting from 1907, V-Twin engines appeared, having 53.68 cubic inches (880 cc) and producing about 7 horsepower (5.2 kW).

In 1911, an improved V-Twin model was introduced. The new engine had mechanically operated intake valves, as opposed to the "automatic" intake valves used on earlier V-Twins that opened by engine vacuum. With a displacement of 49.48 cubic inches (811 cc), the 1911 V-Twin was smaller than earlier twins, but gave better performance. After 1913 the majority of bikes produced by Harley-Davidson would be V-Twin models.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with 28,189 machines produced, and dealers in 67 countries.

During the 1920s, several improvements were put in place, such as a new 74 cubic inch (1,212.6 cc) V-Twin, introduced in 1922, and the "Teardrop" gas tank in 1925. A front brake was added in 1928 although notably only on the J/JD models. In the late summer of 1929, Harley-Davidson introduced its 45 cubic inches (737 cc) flathead V-Twin, "D" model. An 80 cubic inches (1,300 cc) flathead engine was added to the line in 1935, by which time the single-cylinder motorcycles had been discontinued.

After World War II, as part of war reparations, Harley-Davidson acquired the design of a small German motorcycle, the DKW RT 125, which they adapted, manufactured, and sold from 1948 to 1966. Harley experienced changes in ownership in the ‘60s, going public in 1965 and eventually merging with American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. 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. The story continues today.

Moto blog

Harley-Davidson Street 750 Featured in New Captain America Film

The new Harley-Davidson Street 750 was only just revealed last week at the 2013 EICMA show in Milan, but many of you may have already seen the new motorcycle even earlier and not have realized it. Harley-Davidson announced the new Street 750 will appear in Marvel Comics’ movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” set to hit theaters April 4, 2014. The company also revealed the Street 750 is featured in the film’s official trailer which was released online on Oct.

Harley-Davidson Hiring 400 Temporary Workers

Harley-Davidson is looking for 400 casual workers for its factory in York, Pa., to help with a planned seasonal surge in production. The jobs begin in January 2014 and will run through until the end of May. “When we ramp up production to meet customer demands, it allows us the manufacturing flexibility to build the right bike, the right time for the right person,” Harley-Davidson Spokesperson Bernadette Lauer tells the York Daily Record.

EICMA 2013: Harley-Davidson Revolution X 750 & 500 First Impressions Video

Bred in America, built in India the new Revolution X platform is meant to be Harley’s new price point model. The two motorcycles feature the new liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a narrow, agile chassis with a low seat height (26.3 inches), new suspension, a wide handlebar and minimalist styling. Not all markets will get both engine sizes, but the U.S. will. The 500 costs $6700 and the 750 is $7500.

EICMA 2013: Harley-Davidson Revolution X 750 & 500

The Street 750 and Street 500 from Harley-Davidson represent the first all-new platform from Harley-Davidson in 13 years. Built for urban environments, the Street series machines fall under the Dark Custom design and are intended for young, urban riders. The two motorcycles feature the new liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a narrow, agile chassis with a low seat height (26.3 inches), new suspension, a wide handlebar and minimalist styling. Not all markets will get both engine sizes, but the U.S.

Q3 2013 US Motorcycle Sales Results

Motorcycle and scooter sales in the U.S. in 2013 remain consistent with last year’s figures, according to data released by the Motorcycle Industry Council. Several manufacturers blamed poor weather for the poor start this year, and the rebounding sales in the third quarter helped to negate the slow sales from earlier in the year.

Harley-Davidson Reports Q3 2013 Sales Results

Harley-Davidson reported a 15.5% increase in motorcycle sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013 compared to the same quarter last year. The news caps off an important quarter for Harley-Davidson that included the company’s 110th anniversary celebrations and the launch of its 2014 lineup including the new Twin-Cooled engines and Project Rushmore enhancements.

2013 AIMExpo: Sumo-X – Video

Harley-Davidson riders like to customize their rides and Sumo-X gives them some interesting storage and style options, which we saw at the 2013 American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, Fla. The Sumo-X Tour Pack offers an incredible amount of storage behind and around the seat for Harley dressers. It allows you to access two bags or whatever else you’d like to keep in its cavernous opening.

2013 AIMExpo: Rekluse Clutches – Video

Perhaps the biggest name is aftermarket clutches, Rekluse Motorsports featured two new Harley-Davidson clutch systems at the American International Motorcycle Expo. The Rekluse Torq Drive auto clutch system is designed to increase torque capacity by 17% to the general clutch system. This is a very simple system and no modifications are needed to install the auto clutch.

Homemade Electric “Batpod” For Sale On Ebay – Video

Direct from the “OMG” folder comes this: an electric motorcycle modeled after Batman’s two-wheeler, the Batpod. Complete with flame thrower and machine gun! Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique motorcycles I’ve ever come across.

Pope Francis To Auction Harley-Davidson For Charity

During Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary celebrations earlier this year, Pope Francis was given not one, but two Harley-Davidsons, a 2013 Heritage Softail Classic and Dyna Super Glide Custom. Not one for gaudy excess (or a motorcycle ride for that matter), Pope Francis has decided to put both up for auction. Specifically, the Pope has donated the bikes to the Caritas charity near Rome.