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