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