What Year Did Hd Start Building Motorcycles Again

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Anniversary bluecoat on a 2003 Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Type	Public company
Founded	1903
Headquarters	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Key people	James L. Ziemer, CEO Thomas Due east. Bergmann, CFO James A. McCaslin, Div. President & Div. COO Donna F. Zarcone, Div. President & Div. COO
Industry	recreational vehicles
Products	Motorcycles
Revenue	$5,015 million USD ( 2004)
Employees	9,000 ( 2004)
Website	http://www.harley-davidson.com/

The Harley-Davidson Motor Visitor ( NYSE: Squealer) is an American manufacturer of motorcycles based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Usa. Information technology is one of the two remaining American mass-producers of motorcycles (along with Victory Motorcycles). The visitor emphasizes heavy bikes designed for cruising and known for their distinctive exhaust note.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles (popularly known as "Harleys") are distinctive in both design and sound. Harley-Davidson motorcycles attract a loyal following (in marketing terms, the owners class a make community).

The Motor Company supplies many domestic police forces with their motorcycle fleets. Harleys are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customization that gave rise to the chopper-way of motorcycle. It besides licenses its logo, which is a profitable side business concern ($41 meg of revenue in 2004, or almost v% of internet income).

Since 1998 Harley-Davidson has besides owned Buell Motorcycle Company.

The Harley-Davidson V-twin engine

Harley-Davidson 45° Five-twin, Evo Sportster.

The classic Harley-Davidson engines are ii- cylinder, V-twin engines with the pistons placed at a 45 degree angle. The crankshaft has a single pin, and both pistons are connected to this pin through their connecting rods. This pattern causes the pistons to fire at uneven intervals.

On the V-twin, the sequence is as follows:

the first piston fires (this is the 0° position)
the other piston fires at 315° into the stroke
there is a 405° gap (every bit both cylinders go through their exhaust stroke) until the beginning piston fires once again

This design, which is covered under several United states of america patents, gives the Harley-Davidson V-twin its unique "irish potato-tater" sound.

On 1 February 1994, the visitor filed a trademark application for the distinctive sound of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine: "The mark consists of the exhaust audio of applicant'due south motorcycles, produced by V-twin, common crankpin motorcycle engines when the goods are in use". Nine of Harley-Davidson'due south competitors filed comments opposing the application, arguing that cruiser-style motorcycles of various brands employ a single-crankpin V-twin engine which produce a similar audio. These objections were followed by litigation. After 6 years, Harley-Davidson withdrew their trademark application.

The Big V-Twins

Harley-Davidson Electra Glide "Ultra Classic".

F-head, also known as JD, pocket valve and IOE (intake over exhaust), 1914-29 (1000ccm), and 1922-29 (1200ccm)
Flathead, 1930-1948 (1200ccm) and 1935-41 (1300ccm).
Knucklehead, 1936-47 61 cubic inches (1000cc)grand, and 1941-47 74 cubic inches (1200ccm)
Panhead, 1948-52 61 cubic inches (1000ccm), and 1948-65, 74 cubic inches (1200ccm)
Shovelhead, 1966-85, 74 cubic inches (1200ccm) and 82 cubic (1340ccm) inches since late 1978
Evolution (aka "Evo" and "Blockhead"), 1984-99, 82 cubic inches (1340ccm)
Twin Cam 88 (aka "Fathead") 1999-present, 88 cubic inches (1450ccm)
Twin Cam 88B (counter balanced version of the Twin Cam 88) 2000-2006, 88 cubic inches (1450ccm)
Twin Cam 96, 2006-present, 96 cubic inches (1584ccm)

All Big Twins are air-cooled 45-degree V-Twins.

The Small V-Twins

D Model, 1929-31 750cc
R Model, 1932-36 750cc
W Model, 1937-52 750cc, solo (ii cycle) frame only)
One thousand (Servi-Car) Model, 750cc 1932-73

Evolution Sportster cruising around downtown Buenos Aires

K Model, 1952-53 750cc
KH Model, 1954-56 900cc
Ironhead, 1957-1970 900 cc, and 1971-85 one thousand cc
Evolution, 1986-present, 883, 1100 and 1200 cc

All Sportster engines are air-cooled 45-degree 5-Twins.

Revolution h2o-cooled engine

Revolution, Designed and developed by Porsche in Deutschland, 2002-present, 69 cubic inches (1.13 Fifty), 60 degree V-twin, Liquid cooled.
Used in VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) models. At outset it was used in a single model called the V-Rod. By 2006, the line had been expanded to v consumer model V-Rods, including the standard V-Rod, the "roadster-styled" Street Rod, the long and low Night Rod, and the VRSCSE² Screamin' Eagle V-Rod.
At that place is also a non-street variant: the VRXSE SE Destroyer. The Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer is a 165+hp, professional-level drag racing motorbike designed exclusively for contest by Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations; information technology comes stock with larger 79 in³ engine, air shifter and wheelie bar, amongst other features. The Destroyer is tuned to make sub 10-2d quarter mile runs in the hands of an experienced rider.

V-Rod

Model designations

Harley model designations are a sequence of letters and numbers, combined in limited ways. The sequences can be long, as in the 2006 model designation FLHTCUSE.

The first letter may be i of the following:

E, F, J, U, V (Large Twin), D, G, R, W (Pocket-size Twin), X (Sportster), or V (VRSC)

Letters are appended singly or in pairs, as follows:

B (Chugalug Drive), C (Classic or Custom), D (Dyna Glide), DG (Disk Glide), E (Electric start), F (Fat Boy (1990-present) or Foot-shift (1972 and prior)), H (Loftier pinch), L (Hydra Glide forks), LR (Low Rider), P (Police), R (Race or Safe-mount), S (Sport or Springer), SB (Single belt final bulldoze), ST ( Softail), T (Touring), WG (Broad Glide), I (Fuel injection), SE (Screamin' Eagle), U (Ultra)

Custom Vehicle Operations models can also have a number (2,3,4) added.

Note that these conventions for model designations are broken regularly by the company.

Model families

Modernistic Harley-branded motorcycles fall into 1 of half dozen model families: Touring, Softail, Dyna, FXR, Sportster, and VRSC (or V-Rod). Model families are primarily distinguished by the model frame. Some are also distinguished by engine, suspension, and other characteristics.

Touring

The touring family, besides known equally "dressers", includes three Route King models, and five Glide models offered in diverse trim. The Road Kings have a "retro cruiser" appearance and most models are equipped with a big clear windshield. Road Kings are reminiscent of big-twin models from the 1940s and '50s. Glides tin be identified by their full front fairings. Virtually Glides sport a unique fairing referred to as the "Batwing" due to its unmistakeable shape. Touring models are distinguishable by their big baggage, rear coil-over air suspension and are the only models to offer full fairings with Radios/CBs.

Softail

These large-twin motorcycles capitalize on Harley's strong value on tradition. With the rear-cycle break invisible on the lesser of the frame, they are visibly similar to the "hardtail" choppers popular in the 1960s and '70s, as well every bit from their own earlier history. In keeping with that tradition, Harley offers Softail models with "springer" forepart ends and "heritage" styling that comprise design cues from throughout their history.

Dyna

Dyna motorcycles feature big-twin engines and traditional styling. They tin can be distinguished from the Softail by the traditional coil-over break that connects the swingarm to the frame, and from the Sportster by their larger engines. On these models, the transmission also houses the engine's oil reservoir.

In 2007, Harley-Davidson released a line-up of five Dyna models: Super Glide, Super Glide Custom, Street Bob, Low Rider, and Wide Glide.

FXR

The FXR frame was effectively replaced past the Dyna frame in 1995, but was revived in special express editions in 1999 and 2000.

Sportster

Introduced in 1957, the Sportster is the longest-running model family in the Harley-Davidson lineup. They were conceived as racing motorcycles, and were popular on dirt and flat-runway race courses through the 1960s and '70s. Smaller and lighter than the other Harley models, they make utilise of 883 or 1200cc engines and, though ofttimes modified, remain similar in appearance to their racing ancestors.

In 2007, Harley Davidson celebrated the 50th ceremony of the Sportster and produced a collectors' edition called the XL50 1200 Custom, of which only 2000 were made for sale globe wide. Each motorcycle is individually numbered and the colors came in two versions (Delusion Pearl Orangish and Vivid Black).

VRSC

Introduced in 2001, the VRSC family bears niggling resemblance to Harley's more than traditional lineup. Competing against Japanese and American musclebikes, the "Five-Rod" makes use of a new Porsche-designed engine that, for the commencement time in Harley history, incorporates fuel injection, overhead cams, and liquid cooling. It is visually distinctive, easily identified by the hydroformed frame members that support the round-topped fuel tank. Based on the VR-1000 racing motorcycle, information technology continues to be a platform effectually which Harley-Davidson builds drag-racing competition machines.

History

Company founding

The visitor considers 1903 to be its year of founding, though the Harley-Davidson enterprise could exist considered to have started in 1901 when William S. Harley, age 21, drew up plans for a small engine that displaced 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and had 4-inch flywheels. The engine was designed for apply in a regular pedal-bicycle frame.

Over the next ii years Harley and his boyhood friend Arthur Davidson labored on their motor-bicycle using the northside machine store of their friend Henry Melk. It was finished in 1903 with the assistance of Arthur's brother, Walter Davidson. Upon completion the boys found their ability-cycle unable to conquer Milwaukee'due south modest hills without pedal assistance. Will Harley and the Davidsons quickly wrote off their first motor-cycle as a valuable learning experiment.

Piece of work was immediately begun on a new and improved machine. This first "existent" Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with ix-3/iv inch flywheels weighing 28 pounds. The machine'due south avant-garde loop-frame was similar to the 1903 Milwaukee Merkel motorcycle. They as well got aid with their new engine from outboard motor pioneer Ole Evinrude. Elderberry brother William A. Davidson besides lent a paw.

The epitome of the new improved loop-frame model was assembled in a 10 by 15 foot (three by v meter) shed in the Davidson family unit backyard. The machine was functional by 8 September 1904 when it was entered in a Milwaukee motorcycle race, the offset known advent of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

In January 1905 minor advertisements were placed in the "Automobile and Cycle Merchandise Journal" that offered bare Harley-Davidson engines to the do-it-yourself trade. By April, consummate motorcycles were in production on a very limited ground. In 1905 no more than a dozen machines were built in the backyard shed. (Some years later the original shed was taken to the Juneau Artery manufactory where information technology would stand up for many decades as a tribute to the Motor Company's humble origins. Unfortunately, the beginning shed was accidentally destroyed by contractors in the early 1970s during a clean-upward of the factory yard.)

In 1906 Harley and the Davidsons congenital their first manufacturing plant on Chestnut Street (later Juneau Avenue). This location remains the Motor Company's corporate headquarters today. The first Juneau Artery plant was a modest forty by 60 foot unmarried-story wooden structure. That year around 50 motorcycles were produced.

1907 model.

In 1907 William Due south. Harley graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mechanical applied science. That yr additional factory expansion came with a 2d floor and afterward with facings and additions of Milwaukee pale yellow ("cream") brick. With the new facilities production increased to 150 motorcycles in 1907. That September a milestone was reached when the fledgling company was officially incorporated. They as well began selling their motorcycles to police departments around this time, a tradition that continues today.

Product in 1905 and 1906 were all single-cylinder models with 26.84 cubic inch (440 cc) engines but every bit early on every bit February of 1907 a prototype model with a 45-caste 5-Twin engine was displayed at the Chicago Automobile Testify. Although shown and advertised, very few dual cylinder Five-Twin models were built between 1907 and 1910. These first V-Twins displaced 53.68 cubic inches (880 cc) and produced most vii horsepower (5 kW). This gave nearly double the loma-climbing power of the start singles. Superlative speed was virtually 60 mph (97 km/h). Production jumped from 450 motorcycles in 1908 to 1,149 machines in 1909.

The success of Harley-Davidson (along with Indian's success) had attracted many imitators. By 1911 some 150 makes of motorcycles had already been congenital in the U.s.a. -- although just a scattering would survive the 1910s.

In 1911 an improved 5-Twin model with mechanically operated intake valves was introduced. (Earlier V-Twins had used "automatic" intake valves that opened past engine vacuum). Displacing 49.48 cubic inches (810 cc), the 1911 Five-Twin was actually smaller than earlier twins, but gave better performance. Afterwards 1913 the majority of bikes produced past Harley-Davidson would be V-Twin models.

Past 1913 the yellow brick factory had been demolished and on the site a new 5-story structure of reinforced concrete and red brick had been built. Begun in 1910, the red brick factory with its many additions would have up ii blocks along Juneau Avenue and around the corner on 38th Street. Despite the contest, Harley-Davidson was already pulling ahead of Indian and would boss motorbike racing afterward 1914. Production that year swelled to 16,284 machines.

World State of war I

Ralph Hepburn races his Harley in this 1919 photograph.

In 1917, the United States was drawn into World State of war I and the armed services demanded motorcycles for the war effort. Harleys had already been used by the military in border skirmishes with Pancho Villa but Globe War I was the start time the motorcycle had been adopted for gainsay service. Harley-Davidson provided over 20,000 machines to the armed forces forces during World War I.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the earth. Their motorcycles were sold by dealers in 67 countries. Product was 28,189 machines.

In 1921, a milestone was reached in motorcycle racing. A Harley-Davidson machine was the very start to win a race at an average speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h).

During the 1920s, several improvements were put in place, such as a new 74 cubic inch (1.2 L) Five-Twin, introduced in 1922, and the gas tank still seen today, chosen a "Teardrop" tank, in 1925. A forepart brake was added in 1928.

World State of war II

Harley copied the BMW to produce its XA model.

I of only two American cycle manufacturers to survive the Groovy Low, Harley-Davidson once more produced large numbers of motorcycles for the U.s.a. Army in Globe State of war II and resumed civilian product afterward, producing a range of large V-twin motorcycles that were successful both on racetracks and for individual buyers.

Harley Davidson, on the eve World War Two, was already supplying the Regular army with a military-specific version of its 45" WLD line, called the WLA. (The A in this case stood for "Army".) Upon the outbreak of war, the company, along with other manufacturing enterprises, shifted to war work. Over 90,000 war machine motorcycles, mostly WLAs and WLCs (the Canadian version) would exist produced, many to exist provided to allies. Shipments to the Soviet Union nether the Lend-Lease programme numbered at least 30,000. The WLAs produced during all years of war production would, unusually, accept 1942 serial numbers. Production of the WLA stopped at the finish of the state of war, though information technology would resume product from 1949 to 1952 due to the Korean War.

The U.Southward. Army also asked Harley-Davidson to produce a new motorcycle with many of the features of BMW's side-valve and shaft-driven R71. Harley largely copied the BMW engine and drive train and produced the shaft-driven 750cc 1942 Harley-Davidson XA. Due to the superior cooling of an opposed twin, Harley's XA cylinder heads ran 100° cooler than its V-twins'. The XA never entered total production: the motorcycle by that time had been eclipsed past the Jeep as the Army'south general purpose vehicle, and the WLA—already in production—was sufficient for its express police force, escort, and courier roles. But one,000 were made and the XA never went into total production. It remains the but shaft-driven Harley Davidson ever made.

As part of war reparations, Harley-Davidson acquired the blueprint of a small German language motorcycle, the DKW RT125 which they adapted and marketed as the "Hummer" from 1948 to 1966 (in in the UK, BSA took the same design as the foundation of their BSA Bantam).

Tarnished reputation

1998 Harley-Davidson FXSTC

"Captain America" replica bike from the film

Like shooting fish in a barrel Rider

In 1952, following their application to the US Tariff Committee for a forty% tax on imported motorcycles, Harley-Davidson is charged with restrictive practices.

In 1969, American Mechanism and Foundry (AMF) bought the company, streamlined product, and slashed the workforce. This tactic resulted in a labor strike and a lower quality of bikes. The company also ceased to be an innovator in the motorcycle manufacture, with a blueprint that remained basically unchanged for many years. The bikes were expensive and inferior in performance, handling, and quality to Japanese motorcycles. Sales declined, quality plummeted, and the company almost went broke. The venerable name of "Harley-Davidson" was mocked as "Hardly Ableson", and the nickname "Hog" became pejorative.

Leadership regained

In 1981, AMF sold the visitor to a group of thirteen investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie G. Davidson for $lxxx million. Inventory was strictly controlled using the Just In Time arrangement.

Rather than trying to match the Japanese, this new direction deliberately exploited the "retro" entreatment of the machines, building motorcycles that deliberately adopted the look and feel of their earlier machines and the subsequent customizations of owners of that era. Many components such every bit brakes, forks, shocks, carburetors, electrics and wheels were outsourced from foreign manufacturers and quality increased, technical improvements were fabricated, and buyers slowly returned. To remain profitable Harley continues to increment the amount of overseas fabricated parts it uses, while beingness careful not to harm its valuable "American Made" epitome.

The " Sturgis" model, boasting a dual belt-drive, was introduced. By 1990, with the introduction of the "Fat Boy", Harley once again became the sales leader in the heavyweight (over 750 cc) market place. There was a controversy that the Fat Boy model was allegedly inspired by the name of the bombs ( Fat Human and Little Boy) that were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The visitor vehemently denies this and claims it is coincidence.

Ford F-150 crew cab Harley Davidson edition

In 1999, Ford Motor Company added a Harley-Davidson edition to the Ford F-Series F-150 line, complete with the Harley-Davidson logo. This truck was an extended-cab for model year 1999. In 2000, Ford changed the truck to a crew cab and in 2002 added a super-charged engine (5.4L) which continued until 2003. In 2004, the Ford/Harley was changed to a Super-Duty, which continues through 2006. Ford will again produced a Harley-Davidson Edition F-150 for their 2006 model-year, as well.

Edifice started on $75 million 130,000 square-foot (12,000 yard²) Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley on June ane, 2006. It is expected to open up in 2008 and volition house the company'south vast collection of celebrated motorcycles and corporate archives, forth with a eating place, café and coming together infinite.

Origin of Pig nickname

Beginning in 1920 a squad that consistently won races had a hog, a pig, every bit their mascot. Following a win, they would put the sus scrofa (a real one) on the dorsum of their Harley and take a victory lap. A photograph of the pig is also on their website. In 1983, an arrangement was formed, taking advantage of the long-continuing nickname past turning "sus scrofa" into the acronym H.O.Thou., for Harley Owners Group.

Harley-Davidson attempted to trademark "hog," merely in 1999 ultimately lost the case, with the appellate panel ruling that "squealer" had become a generic term for large motorcycles, and is therefore unprotectable as a trademark.

On August 15th 2006 Harley Davidson Inc. had its NYSE ticker inverse from HDI to Grunter.

Events

In 2003, Harley-Davidson Visitor historic its 100th birthday. On Labor Day weekend the urban center of Milwaukee hosted the largest Harley-Davidson event, and possibly the largest motorcycle issue, in history.

Other motorcycle events:

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - held at the commencement of August each year in Sturgis, South Dakota, 514,951 attended in 2004.
Laconia Motorcycle Week - held since the first Loudon classic race started 1923. Located in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Daytona Beach Wheel Week - held since 1937 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Commonwealth of Texas Biker Rally - a popular event in Austin, Texas held every June.
Myrtle Beach Bike Calendar week - a Jump and Autumn rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Click on link here.
Rolling Thunder - an annual rally in Washington, D.C. to enhance awareness of veteran issues (specifically Pow/MIA soldiers).
Bikes Blues and BBQ - held the final weekend of September each year in Fayetteville, Arkansas, an estimated 350,000 attended in 2006. Official Site.

The Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Gt Great britain & H.O.Grand.

Harley-Davidson 2004 Heritage

The Harley-Davidson Riders Order of Gt Britain www.harley-davidson-hangout.com (est 1949) was the first British riders club (as opposed to motorcycle society and organised national rallies and ride-outs from the outset. The 1982 rally began a pop run of events, probably due to the proficient fortune of having William Chiliad. Davidson attending his showtime rally outside the Usa, in Great Uk. He is thought to have been more than curious to observe how the surreptitious "Evolution Motor" had constitute its world exclusive on the comprehend of the leap edition of the HDRCGB magazine, the "Harleyquin", just having a forgiving nature, Willie 1000. returned in 1984, along with Vaughn Beals and Len Thomson to officially prove off the Development engine by bringing a exam ride fleet to the second Brighton Super Rally. The demonstration rides were the first at any European Rally, and it was post-obit Willie Thou's visit to this event that HOG came into being in the Usa, so possibly a seed had been sown.

Harley-Davidson established the Harley Owners Grouping (H.O.Yard.) in 1983 in response to a growing desire by a new brood of Harley riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. Past 1985, 49 local chapters existed, with a membership of sixty,000.

Rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G. officially went international, with the first official European H.O.M. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters.

Equally the 90s continued, H.O.Thou. spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had reached half a meg, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. Today, more than than i 1000000 members make H.O.M. the largest factory-sponsored motorbike organization in the world.

H.O.K. benefits include organized group rides, exclusive products and product discounts, insurance premium discounts, and the Hog Tales newsletter.

Famous owners of Harley-Davidsons include vocaliser Elvis Presley, comedian Jay Leno and professional wrestler The Undertaker Hither is a link to other famous Harley Davidson riders - .

Harley Davidson in popular culture

TNT (band) has a song chosen Harley Davidson which is about the motorcycle. It actually inserts the distinctive sound of a Harley's motor. Their drummer, Diesel Dahl is a member of the Hell's Angels.

bowenolon1951.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/h/Harley-Davidson.htm