Get the rest of the story
Even Harley-Davidson can’t fit 100-plus years of history into a single museum.
-
1900s
Serial Number One
William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson make available to the public the first production Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.-
1901
William S. Harley, age 21, completes a blueprint drawing of an engine designed to fit into a bicycle.
-
1903
-
1904
-
1905
-
1906
A new factory, measuring 28 x 80 feet, is built on the Chestnut Street site, later renamed Juneau Avenue.
-
1907
William A. Davidson, brother to Arthur and Walter Davidson, quits his job for the Milwaukee Road railroad and joins the Motor Company.
-
1908
-
1909
-
-
1910s
“Bar & Shield” Logo
The famed “Bar & Shield” logo is used for the first time. It is trademarked at the U.S. Patent office one year later.-
1910
-
1911
The “F-head” engine becomes a workhorse of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle until 1929.
-
1912
-
1913
-
1914
The Motor Company formally enters motorcycle racing this year.
-
1915
-
1916
-
1917
-
1918
Almost half of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced are sold for use by the U.S. military in World War I.
-
1919
-
-
1920s
Racer Ray Weishaar with pig mascot
The “hog” association starts when the racing team’s mascot, a pig, is carried on a victory lap after each race won by the team. -
1930s
Graphic Designs On Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles
An art-deco “eagle” design is painted on all gas tanks. This styling decision was made in part to stimulate low sales numbers caused by the Great Depression.-
1930
-
1931
All of Harley-Davidson’s remaining American competition is now gone except Indian (Hendee Manufacturing).
-
1932
-
1933
-
1935
Joe Petrali begins a five-year streak of winning the AMA Grand National Championship.
-
1936
-
1937
-
1938
The Jack Pine Gypsies Motorcycle Club holds the first Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, SD.
-
-
1940s
Army rider on Harley-Davidson WLA model
America is plunged into World War II. Production of civilian motorcycles is almost entirely suspended in favor of military production. -
1950s
Elvis Presley on the cover of The Enthusiast®
The new young star Elvis Presley poses for the cover of the May Enthusiast sitting on a 1956 model KH. -
1960s
Aermacchi Harley-Davidson logo
Harley-Davidson purchases a half interest in Aeronatica-Macchi, forming Aermacchi Harley-Davidson, a European division that will produce small, single-cylinder motorcycles. -
1970s
FX Super Glide®
In response to the customizing craze, Harley-Davidson introduces the FX 1200 Super Glide®.-
1970
-
1971
-
1972
-
1973
Motorcycle production is upgraded when all assembly operations are moved to a modern 400,000 square-foot plant in York, PA.
-
1975
Gary Scott wins the Harley-Davidson AMA Grand National Championships in dirt track racing.
-
1977
-
1979
Introduction of the FXEF Fat Bob, “Fat” because of the dual gas tanks, “Bob” for the bobbed fenders.
-
-
1980s
The Harley-Davidson Buyback
Harley-Davidson senior executives sign a letter of intent to purchase Harley-Davidson Motor Company from AMF. By mid-June, the buyback is official, and the phrase “The Eagle Soars Alone” becomes a rallying cry. -
1990s
Product Development Center
A new 217,000 square-foot Product Development Center opens next to the Capitol Drive plant in Milwaukee. The building is dedicated to Willie G. Davidson.-
1990
-
1991
-
1992
-
1993
Harley-Davidson celebrates its 90TH Anniversary in Milwaukee with a Family Reunion. An estimated 100,000 people ride in a parade of motorcycles.
-
1994
Harley-Davidson enters Superbike racing with the introduction of the VR1000.
-
1995
-
1996
-
1997
Powertrain Operations at Capitol Drive expanded its capacity by moving FL engine and transmission production to a newly purchased plant located in Menomonee Falls, WI.
-
1998
-
1999
-
-
2000s
Fuel Injected Twin Cam 88™
The 2000 model year Softail models are outfitted with the Twin Cam 88B™ engine, a counter-balanced version of the Twin Cam 88.-
2000
-
2001
-
2002
The Open Road Tour debuts in Atlanta, GA in July to celebrate the upcoming Harley-Davidson 100TH Anniversary.
-
2003
-
2004
Andrew Hines of the Screamin' Eagle®/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson drag racing team clinches his first NHRA Powerade Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship.
-
2005
-
2006
-
2007
The new FXCWC Rocker introduces Harley-Davidson’s first swingarm-mounted rear fender and 2-into-1 Trick seat.
-
2008
-
2009
-
-
2010s
The Sportster® Forty-Eight®
The XL Forty-Eight is introduced, recalling the raw, custom Sportsters of earlier days.
