Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson

Now open at Harley-Davidson, design and engineering work together to create machines with big emotional impact. Functional improvements fuel changes in look and feel, yet visual or market desires also shape operating innovations. The process of how ideas move from concept to prototype, and production involves a lot of talented people and many kinds of materials. From pencil and paper to CAD, clay, and 3-D printing, see how Harley-Davidson design and engineering teams have envisioned iconic products for over 120 years.

Ezy Ryders: History & Tradition, Heart & Soul

This exhibition is a celebration of life on two wheels. Photographer Cate Dingley interviewed and photographed Black riders in New York City over a five-year period. Her work became a book, Ezy Ryders, titled after the Jimi Hendrix tune.   

The riders are from all walks of life and ride all kinds of machines. Some come from motorcycling families while others are recent adopters of the sport. Many are members of motorcycle clubs (MCs), but some are independent riders. They are represented here through Dingley’s photographs and the riders’ own words.   

From sharing the source of their biker names, to stories of how they came to riding and why they stay, this is a compelling portrait of a passionate and vibrant motorcycling community.

The Motorcycle Galleries

1st and 2nd Floors

Permanent Exhibit

As you begin your tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum® you'll find yourself on the Museum's second floor staring down a line of bikes, three wide and 180 feet long. These bikes begin to tell the story of the company's first fifty years. Each bike in the gallery was specifically chosen for its noteworthy heritage, as well as its unique expression of signature Harley-Davidson elements – beauty, performance, functionality and style. Complete your trip through the Harley-Davidson collection of classic models from the late 1940’s to the present in the first-floor gallery.

The Harley-Davidson Journey

1st and 2nd Floors
Permanent Exhibit

Our story starts with the oldest known Harley-Davidson® motorcycle in existence, known as "Serial Number One." In the following galleries on the entrance floor, stories unfold of the people, products, culture and history that made the Harley-Davidson Motor Company what it is today. Continuing downstairs, experience some of Harley-Davidson's most successful and challenging events of more recent years – from the launch of the Sportster® model in 1957 to the merger with AMF and the buyback to regain control of Harley-Davidson's destiny.

Engine Room

2nd Floor
Permanent Exhibit

Don’t miss this family tree of Harley-Davidson engines from the earliest iterations down to the modern-day Milwaukee Eight. See a selection of historic engines and do a deep dive into their inner workings through touchscreen interactives. The Exploded Bike, a 1940s Knucklehead displayed in parts, is a mechanical drawing brought to life.

Clubs & Competition

2nd Floor
Permanent Exhibit

From board track racing and hill climbs to club rides and endurance trials, this gallery explores the grassroots movements of the early 20th century that revolved around the camaraderie, thrill-seeking and competitive spirit that drove the motorcycle culture of the day.

TSUNAMI MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY

1st Floor
Permanent Exhibit

A Harley-Davidson® motorcycle was recovered in 2012 on an isolated beach in British Columbia. The bike had drifted over 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean after being washed away in a storage container during the devastating tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. The remains of this 2004 Harley-Davidson® Night Train™ are on display as a memorial to the tragedy that claimed more than 15,000 lives.

Tank Wall

2nd Floor
Permanent Exhibit

The Tank Wall showcases some of the most iconic Harley-Davidson tank designs ever created since the company’s founding in 1903. Each is a piece of H-D history and a testament to the deep-rooted creative freedom Harley-Davidson inspires for generations the world over.

HANDS-ON INTERACTIVES

All Floors
Permanent Exhibit

On the first floor, enjoy games, books, puzzles and more. In this space designed especially for our youngest visitors, smaller kids can get decked out in pint-sized Harley-Davidson gear and rev up the engine of a Knucklehead motorcycle.

Throughout our galleries, touchscreen interactives provide fun for visitors of all ages. Compete against each other or learn more about beloved topics. Customize Harley-Davidson motorcycles by swapping parts, listen to engines, then test your knowledge of engine purrs, or try your hand at digital hill climbing or stunt riding.

The Experience Gallery on the first floor is the place where you can throw a leg over a new Harley-Davidson Freedom Machine. Plus, hear inspiring stories from riders who have turned their dream of learning to ride into reality and take a look at the epic journeys you can only experience behind the bars of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.