| In 1901, the 21 year-old William S. Harley | | | | motorcycle demands. The year 1907 introduced |
| had created the blueprint of an engine that | | | | the 45-degree V-Twin engine which has become |
| was designed to fit in a conventional | | | | the sole Harley-Davidson engine for a very |
| bicycle. Two years later, William together | | | | long time. |
| with his friend Arthur Davidson started and | | | | |
| developed a one-cylinder engine that was | | | | Over the years, the company has gained so |
| installed on a conventional bicycle during | | | | much popularity that was converted into sales |
| that time. However, this motorized-bicycle | | | | output. During the First World War, |
| was proved to be incapable of climbing | | | | Harley-Davidson was commissioned to provide |
| through the Milwaukee hills without pedal | | | | more than 20,000 units for military use. The |
| assistance. Harley and Davidson developed | | | | story of the Second World was the same for |
| further their motor after that experience. | | | | the company. They produced thousand upon |
| | | | thousands of motorcycle. |
| Immediately, they have created a bigger | | | | |
| engine (405 cc or 24.74 cubic inches) that | | | | Before the entry of the 70's, AMF or the |
| was become the very first and real | | | | American Machinery and Foundry bought |
| Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Meanwhile, the | | | | Harley-Davidson. Policies had changed that |
| first Harley-Davidson factory was in a 10 x | | | | resulted to labor strike and substandard |
| 15-foot wooden shed. The two friends were | | | | bikes. The popularity and reputation of the |
| helped by Arthur's older brother Walter. | | | | company was severely damaged. |
| | | | |
| After a year, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle | | | | In the 80's, it was sold to a group of |
| entered its very first motorcycle race at | | | | investors headed by Willie G. Davidson and |
| Milwaukee. | | | | Vaughn Beals. The provided innovations such |
| | | | as the introduction of the "Sturgis". The |
| The first years came in so quickly for the | | | | costumers began to return and the company had |
| company that after 3 years, Harley-Davidson | | | | seen clearer promise. |
| motorcycle production was transferred at | | | | |
| Chestnut Street (that was later become Juneau | | | | Since then, the popularity of Harley-Davidson |
| Avenue). This is still the Harley-Davidson | | | | motorcycles was unquestionable. They regained |
| headquarters up to this time. | | | | their leadership in motorcycle industry as |
| | | | they create a unique line of motorcycles, |
| In 1907, William received a degree in | | | | different from the conventional Japan made. |
| mechanical engineering at University of | | | | Now, after more than a hundred years of |
| Wisconsin. This helped them to development of | | | | existence, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have |
| better Harley-Davidson engines in the future. | | | | become an attraction in every road around the |
| The same year also provided them a much | | | | world. |
| needed factory expansion for the growing | | | | |