Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

About harley-davidson

Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG, formerly HDI), often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression.

The company sells today only heavyweight motorcycles with over 700 cc, designed for cruising on highways. Harley-Davidson motorcycles, or "Harleys", are noted for the tradition of heavy customization. Harley-Davidson's attempts to establish itself in the light motorcycle market have met little success and have largely been abandoned since the 1978 sale of its Italian Aermacchi subsidiary.

In 1901, William S. Harley, age 20, drew up plans for a small engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (102 mm) flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. On a practice, though, it was only experiment, somewhat unsuccessful but a start for more. So first "real" Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with 9.75 inches (25 cm) flywheels weighing 28 lb (13 kg).

In September 8, 1904, Harley competed in a Milwaukee motorcycle race held at State Fair Park. This is the first documented appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the historical record.

Production in 1905 and 1906 were all single-cylinder models with 26.84 cubic inches (440 cc) engines. Starting from 1907, V-Twin engines appeared, having 53.68 cubic inches (880 cc) and producing about 7 horsepower (5.2 kW).

In 1911, an improved V-Twin model was introduced. The new engine had mechanically operated intake valves, as opposed to the "automatic" intake valves used on earlier V-Twins that opened by engine vacuum. With a displacement of 49.48 cubic inches (811 cc), the 1911 V-Twin was smaller than earlier twins, but gave better performance. After 1913 the majority of bikes produced by Harley-Davidson would be V-Twin models.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with 28,189 machines produced, and dealers in 67 countries.

During the 1920s, several improvements were put in place, such as a new 74 cubic inch (1,212.6 cc) V-Twin, introduced in 1922, and the "Teardrop" gas tank in 1925. A front brake was added in 1928 although notably only on the J/JD models. In the late summer of 1929, Harley-Davidson introduced its 45 cubic inches (737 cc) flathead V-Twin, "D" model. An 80 cubic inches (1,300 cc) flathead engine was added to the line in 1935, by which time the single-cylinder motorcycles had been discontinued.

After World War II, as part of war reparations, Harley-Davidson acquired the design of a small German motorcycle, the DKW RT 125, which they adapted, manufactured, and sold from 1948 to 1966. Harley experienced changes in ownership in the ‘60s, going public in 1965 and eventually merging with American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. The ‘80s and ‘90s saw the introduction of model families that continue to this day, like the Softail, FLT and Road King lines, joining classic models like the Electra Glide. The story continues today.

Moto blog

2012 New York International Motorcycle Shows Preview

The 2011-2012 International Motorcycle Shows tour hits the Big Apple this weekend with a number of debuts, Jan. 20-22 at the Jakob K. Javits Convention Center.

Harley-Davidson Adds Twin Cam 96 and 103 Engines to Factory Remanufacturing Program

Harley-Davidson has added the Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103 and 2003-2006 CVO Twin Cam 103 engines to its engine remanufacturing program. The program, which previously accepted 1984 and newer Evolution 1340, Twin Cam 88, Twin Cam 88B and Twin Cam 95 powerplants, takes used engines, rebuilds and repaints them. Customers can take their existing Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a dealer which will remove the engine and send it back to the factory.

Harley Art

A new display in the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee is set to open at the end of this week exhibiting the artwork of the firm's styling chief Willie G Davidson. As well as being the grandson of the original 'Davidson' and in charge of all Harley's styling, it turns out that Willie G is a dab hand with a paintbrush. According to Harley-Davidson, the display will include “idyllic rural landscapes and still life watercolour paintings with strong luminosity and form that hint at time spent in the countryside during 48 years as the pacesetter in motorcycle design.” The firm's museum has also announced other special exhibits planned for later in the year, including “Journey of the Iron Elite: The Evolution of Motorcycle Culture through the Eyes of African-Americans” and “Born to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket” - a 4000-square-foot display dedicated purely to black biker jackets...

Lehman Trikes Founder Passes at 60

Lehman Trikes announced the passing of its founder and director, John K. Lehman, from heart failure brought on by an embolism. The 2009 Sturgis Hall of Fame member died Jan.

New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 – Motorcycle Manufacturers Draw Battle Lines for World’s Second Largest Market

In past years, the biennial Auto Expo in India slipped under the radar while the industry was focused more on shows such as EICMA in Italy and Intermot in Germany. But with India’s middle class starting to flex its financial muscle while other markets continue to struggle, the New Delhi show is becoming much more prominent, with major OEMs positioning themselves to claim a piece of the India’s 13 million vehicles-a-year market. We’ve already looked at India-produced Royal Enfield’s new Thunderbird 500 and Hero Moto’s hybrid scooter concept which debuted at the Auto Expo, and today we’ll look at what the major international OEMs presented.

Would you pay £160,000 for this?

Pretty it may be, but you wouldn't catch me spending £160,000 on this 1915 Harley-Davidson 11-F Twin that's coming up for sale at a Bonhams auction. It's allegedly one of the most sought-after Harleys and has buyers from around the world itching to splash out on it. Not literally, you'd hope.

Jury Dismisses Suit Against Harley-Davidson Over ABS Indicator

A Sacramento Superior Court jury has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Harley-Davidson involving a 2009 accident that left one of the plaintiffs with severe brain injuries. Judy Wilson was injured in an April 11, 2009, crash after her husband, Jack, locked the rear wheel of his non-ABS equipped 2008 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. The plaintiffs contended they believed their  was equipped with ABS because the instrument panel had an ABS indicator icon and from the salesperson’s sales pitch.

Mopar to Sponsor Canadian Superbike Championship

Chrysler’s parts and accessories brand Mopar has signed on to be the title sponsor for the 2012 Canadian Superbike Championship. Mopar replaces Parts Canada which recently ended a 22-year partnership with CSBK over controversial comments made by the series organizer on an Internet forum. The seven-round CSBK series includes separate pro and amateur Superbike and Sportbike classes, as well as a Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup and a new spec series for young riders featuring the Honda CBR250R.

Stuck for a gift? Solution No2: Harley-Davidson merchandise

Next year marks a strange anniversary for Harley-Davidson; 100 years of the firm's merchandising operation. Yes, just nine years after getting in on the motorcycle game H-D realised that the real cash was to be found in selling accessories rather than just bikes. And they're masters of the art.

Harley-Davidson Closing Australian Cast Wheel Subsidiary

Harley-Davidson is closing its cast wheel and hub producing subsidiary New Castalloy, deciding to outsource production to third-party suppliers. Based in Adelaide, Australia, New Castalloy produces about 1,450 wheels and 500 wheel hubs per day for Harley-Davidson. That work will be transferred to outside suppliers by the middle of 2013.