The company is founded, in principle, in 1903 in Milwaukee. There are four company founders who teach themselves the essential principles necessary for commercial life. Only one of them studies mechanical engineering during the early stage. Those are completely wrong who believe that the company only produces motorcycles with two-cylinder V engine at right angle to driving direction, mostly high cubic capacity and for a motorcycle of low nominal speed.

In the beginning there are, e.g., single cylinder engines which are started at approx. 10 km/h by tightening the belt drive to the rear axle thus initiating self propulsion. The speed of 10 km/h is reached by a usual bicycle drive. Later there will also be kick-starters and even more later of course electric drive. It is difficult at the beginning to adjust engine RPM but it works much better with the ignition than with the self-developed carburettor.

Rather soon and for long years to come they install Schebler carburettors which not only work better but are also cheaper. For ignition by the way they use the Bosch magneto ignition. Since there is no generator in the beginning, range is limited by battery capacity. In spite of all adversities the first Harleys are obviously rather durable. Different owners of the first model mentioned mileages of approx. 100,000 miles (approx. 160,000 km) which is a substantial performance even in view of small changes to certain parts.

Grey is the mostly used and later probably only available colour by which makes the motorcycles known as “grey, silent fellows“. At successive models it is possible to open the exaust canal for a bit more performance, however by the producers this is meant only for trips in the wide country side. Generally american roads are in poor condition even after 1920 and so the low performance - as it seems from today`s point of view – is sufficient.

The famous two-cylinder comes only years later and ideally adapts to the frame and its slightly larger wheelbase by minimal widening. Already before this one can buy the motorcycle with sidecar, much later even a tricycle called a service car. There is a photo of a family with six children in such a carriage. Fine that in view of this the achieved speed remains rather low!

The low fuel consumption of the first Harleys is legendary in spite of low compression and side valve engines which will be built through all eternity. Nevertheless, the motorcycles achieve quite spectacular racing results rather early, sometimes also by private drivers without any support from the company. Several records are won as well, only by company drivers using cycles with well-shaped linings.Casting technology is mastered well right from the beginning and so cylinder and cylinder head are made as one piece. This prevents sealing problems. The only problems occur with the valves which have to be inserted (in the beginning from below) through by widat curtails,e openings. The intake is, even in times of the Twin, still a suction valve which cuts performance in such a way that public acceptance suffers. Later that valve becomes cam-operated as well.

Quite early Bill Harley thinks about springs suitable for the bad roads. Nevertheless, he keeps the back wheel fixed to the frame for a long time and instead concentrates on a well sprung saddle. The unique feeling becomes legendary when driver and maybe passenger move downwards while starting off.The Harley motorcycles meet the requirements of their users early already. New technology is invented only if really necessary. Repairs must also be practicable on the way and from technically gifted amateurs. They say that the companie`s racing successes are not primarily based on advanced technology but on incredibly precise preparation.There is no help for it, during it`s more than 100 years of existance the company runs into serious problems several times due to hard competition. Of the countless motorcycle companies in the early days Indian is left as most important competitor but is also given up in 1953. Three economical crises in 1920 and 1929 and the end of the motorcycle boom after the Second World War cause problems for the producers. Occasionally Henry Ford asks almost motorcycle prices for his car.

As a family-run business with obviously high commitment not only by the four founders, Harley Davidson overcomes the problems, even though sale numbers had occasionally fallen to one quarter. The second generation of managers is not that successful. First the British with their duty-concessioned vehicles put them under pressure and later the end is near caused by japanese motorcycle invasion.

HD slips under the roof of an investor and combination with the italian Aermacchi company follows. It is the time when even smallest motorcycles carry the company logo. Not quite unsuccessful, particularly as a lot is going on in this technology, also in the racing sector. Nobody dare to say there had never been HD two-strokes cycles!

Talking about this: boxer engines have been installed by HD as well, in this case lenghtwise of course. The second type using this technology were BMW copies forced by the military. HD also experimented successfully with DKW two-strokes. Simple thing to do since the USA (like all victorious powers) didn`t have to pay license fees for war booty.

After the Second World War the motorcycle becomes an important connection between the gangs frightening good citizens. What might have ended in disaster becomes the stroke of luck for the company later. After all, the main part in the movie “Easy Rider“ is played by a Harley made up as a chopper. The motorcycle as a means of transportation becomes idolization for many motorcycle groups which faithfully stand behind the company for all future.This is absolutely necessary since quality standards started dropping in the meantime. Under jurisdiction of the mentioned investor things get even worse. In the end the HD managers agree upon a risky action: they buy the company using their own money and raise expensive loans from the one and only bank that is ready to provide the money. From now on they work to meet the high high interest rate.

The rescue of America's last motorcycle factory succeeds and finally turns it into a joint-stock company which changes completely. Technology of the motorcycles now partially comes from Porsche. In the meantime Harleys don`t differ a lot, e.g. by the number of the camshafts / valves from fast japanese motorcycles of the higher weight category. It is a game of skill, like a puzzle, to create new models with little expenditure. At the utmost price ... ... 04/09