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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 Recalls 25,000 2014 Touring Models

Wed, 16 Oct 2013

Harley-Davidson is acting quickly to address  potential safety issues by voluntarily recalling certain 2014 Touring motorcycles equipped with a hydraulic clutch system that may pose a safety issue for riders and/or passengers. The recalls include a Do Not Ride notice to owners and a Do Not Deliver notice to Harley-Davidson dealers until the motorcycle is fixed. “The safety of our customers is our highest priority,” said Tony Wilcox, Harley-Davidson General Manager of Motorcycle New Product Delivery.

Harley-Davidson Consolidates Businesses in Spain, Portugal and Italy

Wed, 16 Oct 2013

In response to the continuing economic struggles in southern Europe, Harley-Davidson announced it will combine its operations in Spain, Portugal and Italy into a single business unit to be called SPI Motor Company. Harley-Davidson says the new company, which officially begins operating immediately, will be better positioned to respond to the challenges of the market. The new company will be led by Regional Managing Director of Operations Yves-Olivier Allamagny, formerly the director of Harley-Davidson Italy.

Enterprise Offering Harley-Davidsons For Rent In Las Vegas

Wed, 16 Oct 2013

Enterprise Rent-A-Car today announced a new pilot program, offering select Harley-Davidson motorcycles for rent in Las Vegas. The bikes will be available at a specific location at 4517 W. Flamingo Road, right near the Las Vegas strip.

Watch As Motorcyclist Gets Chased By Elk – Video

Mon, 14 Oct 2013

Apparently, elks aren’t too keen on motorcyclists, as the video below demonstrates. This couple, aboard what sounds like a Harley-Davidson (that potato-potato exhaust note is unmistakeable), were riding along in Missoula, Montana when this elk decided he wanted to take the road for himself. As traffic slowed and eventually passed, the elk took a growing interest in the couple on the motorcycle, approaching them.

2014 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic Recalled

Tue, 08 Oct 2013

Harley-Davidson is recalling the 2014 Tri Glide Ultra Classic trike  because of a problem with . At the moment, a recall has only been announced by Transport Canada; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to announce the recall due to the federal government shutdown, but recall notices are already being sent out to dealers in the U.S. According to the Canadian agency, the upper fork stem bracket was machined incorrectly, allowing for more steering angle than intended by the trike’s specifications.

Bonhams To Auction Wayne Pierce Family Collection Of Motorcycles Jan. 9, 2014, In Las Vegas

Fri, 04 Oct 2013

On January 9, 2014, during the fourth annual Las Vegas Sale of motorcycles at Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Bonhams, the world’s largest auction house for cars, motorcycles and memorabilia, will be auctioning off over 50 motorcycles from the extensive Wayne Pierce family museum collection, all offered at no reserve. Among the machines is a first-year Harley-Davidson Sportster believed to be the 10th XL883 produced in 1957, a 1933 Harley VLE police bike that saw actual duty on the streets of Chicago before being cast in the 1987 Kevin Costner gangster movie, “The Untouchables,” and an authentic and unrestored 1947 Harley Knucklehead wearing period aftermarket accessories. Wayne “Pappy” Pierce started his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1957, run out of a one-room tin shed in DeKalb, Illinois.

Harley Riders Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Wed, 02 Oct 2013

The Harley-Davidson family of riders and fans has a promise for women affected by breast cancer: You’re not alone, because we ride with you. These riders and fans added extra horsepower to that promise by raising more than $1 million for organizations that support and empower women affected by breast cancer through the purchase of Harley-Davidson Genuine MotorClothes Pink Label Collection apparel and merchandise. “The brave and courageous women who have shared with us stories of battling breast cancer are the inspiration for the Pink Label Collection,” said Karen Davidson (right), Creative Director of General Merchandise and granddaughter of a Harley-Davidson Motor Company founder.

The TwinTrax Is A Machine Straight From Mad Max

Fri, 27 Sep 2013

Just look at this motorcycle for a moment. A creation of the German Motorcycle Authority, the TwinTrax is nearly 107 inches long, weighs 882 pounds, and took owner/builder Christoph Madaus 12 years to complete. Oh, and don’t forget the two Harley-Davidson V-Twins powering this thing.

Dashboard Camera Footage Shows State Trooper Rear-Ending Motorcycle

Fri, 13 Sep 2013

Newly-released footage from a police cruiser’s dashboard camera shows the car rear-ending a couple on a motorcycle. Ohio State Police are investigating the Aug. 17 crash which resulted in serious but non-life-threatening injuries to Beavercreek, Ohio, residents Corey Waldman and his wife Amy Waldman.

Fundraising Harley Prints By 8-year-old MDA Ambassador On Sale

Tue, 10 Sep 2013

MDA Ambassador Reagan Imhoff wanted the artwork she created with Harley-Davidson designer Mathew Hintz to “raise a lot of money for MDA so we can have more scientists to make medicines.” The original drawing of a purple Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout motorcycle brought in $3500 on August 31 at the MDA auction during the 110th Anniversary Celebration. The pair hopes to raise even more with sales of the limited edition, signed prints, available through www.HintzStudios.com. “I’m happy our artwork raised some money, and hope we sell all of the prints!” said Reagan, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a painful neuromuscular disease.