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

Original Viva Knievel Harley Davidsons For Sale On Ebay

For sale on Ebay right now are two original Harley-Davidson Sportsters ridden by legendary stuntman Evel Knievel in the film “Viva Knievel!“ Click here to see the Ebay listing, which ends on Monday, August 12. The first is the “Flying Eagle” Strato-Cycle, which is one of two used in the movie. The bike is complete with full documentation including original sales invoice from Harley-Davidson in 1977, which certified (with matching VIN numbers) and specifies that it was used in the Viva Knievel movie.

Zach Ness TV Show Let It Ride To Premiere August 14

Zach Ness, grandson of legendary custom bike builder, Arlen Ness, and his team are on a mission to break new ground in the custom motorcycle world. National Geographic Channel is going to capture Ness’ attempts on its new show, Let It Ride, With Zach Ness, premiering Wednesday, August 14 at 9pm EST. Coming from one of the most well-known names in motorcycling carries with it significant pressure, but Zach welcomes the challenge.

Legends Ride Stops Sturgis Traffic

This is a small sample of the participants in Monday’s annual Legends Ride from Deadwood to Sturgis. Hundreds of bikes thundered through the Black Hills toward Sturgis on Monday afternoon, creating a cacophony not heard in these parts since, well, last year. The sixth annual Legends Ride draws thousands of riders, spectators and celebrities to the historic city of Deadwood, South Dakota each year on a charitable pilgrimage to the Buffalo Chip Campground, and organizers said Monday’s edition was likely the largest ever.

Budding Artist and MDA Ambassador Create Motorcycle Painting to Benefit MDA

Reagan Imhoff dreams of a career in art, and the determined 8-year-old and MDA Ambassador won’t let Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II get in the way of those dreams. Her parents’ New Berlin, WI, home is plastered with hundreds of her drawings, and a painting of hers sold for $5,000 at the MDA Black-N-Blue Ball in May. Local artist and Harley-Davidson designer Mathew Hintz is encouraging her passion.

H-D Confirms Road Glide Dump

In a conference call with investors yesterday, Harley-Davidson Inc. admitted the rumors are true: the Motor Company is dropping the Road Glide. According to the Milwaukee Business Journal, during the investor call Thursday discussing second-quarter results Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) Senior Vice President and CFO John Olin publicly confirmed the previously reported model dump to the Motor Company’s Touring lineup.

Harley-Davidson Reports Q2 2013 Results

Harley-Davidson reported a net profit of $271.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013, up from the profit of $247.3 million reported in the same period in 2012. For the first half of 2013, Harley-Davidson has recorded $495.9 million in profit, compared to $419.3 million reported in the opening six months last year. “Harley-Davidson again drove strong financial performance in the second quarter, reflecting the many improvements in operations we have made throughout the Company over the past few years as well as our brand strength globally,” says Keith Wandell, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

New Indian Commercial Pokes Fun At Harley-Davidson

The big news in the motorcycle world this year is the return of Indian motorcycles. Earlier this year, parent company Polaris unveiled the all-new Thunderstroke 111 engine as a sneak peak to the 2014 Chief which is set to make its official debut at Sturgis at the beginning of August. To prepare for this momentous occasion, Indian produced this commercial, which takes a nice, healthy jab at the iconic Motor Company.

Man Waits 38 Years To Buy Motorcycle, Dies Three Miles Later

Barry Strang’s story is a tragic case of being careful what you wish for. Since they were newlyweds, Strang would ask his wife, Pam, if he could get a motorcycle. Fearful of the dangers involved, she said no.

Harley Adds John Fogerty, Uncle Kracker, 2-Day Tix for 110th

100,000 thundering motorcycles. 60-plus bands. All the food and drink you can handle.

Best Western Debuts Global Partnership with Harley-Davidson at 110th Anniversary Event in Rome

Best Western International debuted its new global partnership with Harley-Davidson in style at Harley’s 110th Celebration in Rome. The 67-year-old hotel company presented hundreds of thousands of attendees with its “Motorcycle-Friendly Hotel” program as part of a four-day celebration at the famous Port of Ostia. Riders in the US, Canada and Mexico already know Best Western is the hotel of choice for real moto-travelers.