Where are Harley-Davidson Motorcycles made?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In 1903, Harley-Davidson’s first factory was a 10X15 wooden shed situated in the Davidson’s backyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

• Ten years later, the company manufactured motorcycles in a then-cutting-edge, six-story brick factory .

• Fast forward to the present day, and Harley-Davidson has U.S.-based plants in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Tomahawk, Wisconsin, and York, Pennsylvania 

• Harley-Davidson’s manufacturing process combines the precision of high-tech machinery with the care, passion, and expertise of dedicated workers. 

Harley-Davidson's Historical Manufacturing Roots

The history of Harley is a classic tale of American entrepreneurship and innovation. Founded in 1903 by William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, William Davidson, and Walter Davidson, the famous motorcycle maker got its start in a 10-by-15 wooden shed located in the Davidson’s backyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

In 1906, Harley-Davidson moved into its first proper factory and produced 50 motorcycles. The company continued to expand quickly over the next few years, and by 1913, it occupied a six-story factory to keep up with demand.  

In 1920, the company moved into the seven-story Juneau Avenue facility, which is still in use as an office building today. Two decades later, Harley-Davidson contributed significantly to the war effort, producing 88,000 motorcycles for the United States military during World War II. 

The history of Harley engines is also rich. Until 1918, Harley-Davidson® motorcycles often came with a single-cylinder engine (though V-twin motors debuted in 1909). After some trial and error, Harley perfected the V-twin motor, with their flathead V-twin being used in production from 1929 to 1973. 

Many other legendary engines enjoyed a decade-long (or multiple-decade-long) run. Today, you can choose from the Screamin’ Eagle® crate engine, the Milwaukee-Eight® V-twin, or the Revolution® Max V-twin.

Current Production Facilities 

Today, Harley-Davidson owns and operates four U.S.-based production facilities: 

• The engines are manufactured in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.  

• Plastic and fiberglass components are manufactured at two locations in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.  

• Most motorcycles are assembled in York, Pennsylvania.  

To keep up with international demand, Harley-Davidson also has production facilities in Brazil and Thailand.

Inside the Harley-Davidson Manufacturing Process

Now that we’ve covered where Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are made, let’s get into how the motorcycles are made. Like many automobile manufacturers, Harley-Davidson uses the assembly line method to produce its vehicles. 

Each stop along the line adds a critical component to the motorcycle. State-of-the-art machinery and human technicians work side by side, expediting the process, while ensuring quality. For instance, robotic arms weld parts together, and live workers inspect and test the motorcycle. 

Harley-Davidson leverages technology to ensure each motorcycle off the line is identical and meets specifications.” The motorcycle creation process involves computer-aided design (CAD), computer numerical control (CNC) machine work, laser cutters, and other manufacturing innovations.

PARTS SOURCING: DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL 

In today’s global economy, Harley-Davidson sources motorcycle parts from the United States and other countries, including Australia, China, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. The company develops and maintains relationships with quality suppliers, ensuring each motorcycle is the best it can be.