Harley Davidson Motorcycle History

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle History - Harley Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley Davidson Motor Company,
Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces a line of sport motorcycles.

• 1870 : Birth of William A. Davidson, Milwaukee, WI.
• 1876 : Birth of Walter Davidson, Milwaukee, WI.
• 1880 : Birth of William S. Harley, Milwaukee, WI. As he was born just after Christmas, his parents gave him the middle name “Sylvester.”
• 1881 : Birth of Arthur Davidson, Milwaukee, WI.
• 1901 : William S. Harley, aged 21, completes a blueprint for an engine designed to fit into a bicycle.
• 1903 : Harley and Arthur Davidson build the first production Harley-Davidson in 1903. It features a 3-1/8-inch bore and a 3-1/2-inch stroke yielding 7.07 cubic inches (116cc). They make a more powerful motor with the assistance of Ole Evinrude – better known as the inventor of the outboard motor. It is designed for use on the wooden velodromes where popular bicycle races are held. Harley and Davidson work in a 10 x 15-foot shed on Chestnut Street (later renamed Juneau Avenue) which is still the address of Harley-Davidson’s head office.