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

Ben Bostrom And M1 Form Cycling Event Promotion Company

Long-time AMA rider and champion Ben Bostrom is known for his athletic endurance and stamina. A quality he attributes to the work he does training on his bicycle or on a run. And now that B-Boz is without a full-time motorcycle ride this year, he’s focusing his attention to other forms of two wheels.

Harley-Davidson World Ride Tops 10 Million Miles; Eclipses 2012 Total by 28 Percent

Motorcycle riders from around the world enthusiastically joined members of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) on June 23 and 24 to shatter last year’s record mileage total for the Harley-Davidson World Ride by collectively logging more than 10 million miles, a 28 percent increase over the 2012 total. Launched in 2008 as HOG’s Million Mile Monday, the annual event was expanded into the two-day Harley-Davidson World Ride in 2012 to give more riders worldwide an opportunity to participate. In 2012, participants logged 7,799,140 miles, but this year as riders celebrated the 110th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the 30th Anniversary of HOG that culminates this Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee, they blitzed that record by more than 25 percent, tallying an official total of 10,018,231 miles.

Pope Francis Blesses Harley-Davidson Riders for 110th Anniversary Celebrations

What do Kid Rock, UFC fighter Frank Mir and Pope Francis have in common? They’re all involved in some way with Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary. Kid Rock is headlining the big bash on Labor Day weekend while Mir is on the card for UFC 164 in Milwaukee that same weekend as part of the extended 110th anniversary celebrations.

Laconia Motorcycle Week Celebrating 90 Years In 2013

Laconia Motorcycle Week, “America’s Original Riding Rally,” turns 90 this year! Progressive wants you to celebrate with spectacular routes through the White Mountains and a classic rally experience. From Saturday June 8 through Sunday 16, expect New Hampshire’s biggest party in 90 years, filled with good grub, great gear, and fun rides.

When in Rome for Harley’s 110th

In addition to all the other goings-on scheduled for Harley-Davidson’s 110th celebration in Rome, Italy, Pirelli and LowRide magazine are teaming up to bring Italian Motor Company enthusiasts even more. During the June 13-16 celebration Pirelli is setting up shop at Lido di Ostia, transforming the Rome Nautical Club in to the Pirelli Clubhouse for this occasion. Guests at the Pirelli Clubhouse can attend tattooing sessions, where images created by Fashion Tattoo Studio will be imprinted on a range of tires. For those who want to try the thrills of driving a racing car through iconic racetracks around the world, the Formula 1 simulator will be available throughout the four-day celebration. Also on show is the new summer collection of Pzero clothing.  Pirelli technicians will hold product workshops illustrating the importance of tires on custom motorcycles.

Arlen Ness B-Day Bash At Petersen Museum

On July 12 the Petersen Automotive Museum is throwing a birthday party for one of motorcycling’s customizing icons, Arlen Ness. The B-day celebration will be followed by a V-Twin Cruise-In on July 13 and punctuated by a summer-long exhibit entitled Arlen Ness: Art on Two Wheels. The July 12th birthday party is open to the public and the $95 ticket price puts you in the company of Arlen and other customizing aristocrats and also includes cocktails and dinner.

Lorenzo Lamas To Lead ‘Ride To The Dunes’”

The second annual ‘Ride to the Dunes’ charity ride for child abuse awareness kicks off Sunday, June 2 2013, with Grand Marshal Lorenzo Lamas leading the way. The ride will start at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in Marina Del Rey, California and end at Sycamore Cove State Beach in Malibu, where guests will be treated to lunch and a concert by Alchemy. Riders of all makes and models are welcome to join.

UFC Set To Rumble For H-D’s 110th Anniversary

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon is set to ride into Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary celebration, giving fans an opportunity to witness one of the hardest-hitting live MMA fights of the year – the UFC 164 Harley-Davidson Hometown Throwdown. UFC stars including Cain Velasquez, Mike Chiesa and Matt Hughes will be at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in downtown Milwaukee on August 31 for the action-packed card, which will feature more than 10 hard-hitting bouts. “UFC and Harley-Davidson fans will experience the passion of the world’s best fighters when they duke it out in the Octagon in our backyard here in Milwaukee during our 110th Anniversary,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Chief Marketing Officer at Harley-Davidson.

105-Year-Old Woman Rides A Harley-Davidson

When you get to be 105 years old, clearly your best years are behind you. However, that didn’t stop Ella Passmore of Richmond Hill, Georgia from trying something new and daring for the first time. To celebrate over a century of living, Passmore rode on a Harley-Davidson, as reported by www.savannahnow.com.

The Roadery, A Different Kind Of Motorcycle Tour

Every motorcycle tour company promises to take you to beautiful destinations, but how many offer the same promise on custom motorcycles? The Roadery is that company. Having only been in business a few months, The Roadery, based in Los Angeles, is new to the motorcycle touring business, but it offers its customers the chance to explore some of the most scenic locations in the Western United States.