| When it comes to the motorcycle, the Harley | | | | By 1904, they completed the prototype and entered |
| Davidson is the gold standard. It is the royalty of this | | | | in a motorcycle race and by 1905, they introduced |
| two-cycled motor vehicle industry. But its prominence | | | | the engine to the market through a do it yourself |
| and position at the top was not achieved overnight. | | | | trade. That year, more than a dozen harley-davidson |
| It took a lot of hard work and patience to reach the | | | | motorcycles were made. |
| position in the industry that they have now. And it | | | | With big dreams, Harley and the Davidsons built their |
| took decades to earn the respect of both | | | | first factory in Chestnut Street, which will later be |
| consumers and friends in the industry. | | | | Juneeau Avenue, where a special tribute to |
| The Harley-Davidson Motor Company is based in | | | | Harley-Davidson now stands. The first factory was |
| Wisconsin. Along with Victory Motors, it is one of the | | | | not so big and it was made of wood. Yet, it |
| two remaining mass producers of motorcycles in the | | | | managed to produce about 50 motorcycles that year |
| United States. But what sets apart the Harley from | | | | alone. |
| other motorcycles that are being manufactured is its | | | | When William graduated from the University of |
| design and its sound, which made it an overnight | | | | Wisconsin with a degree in mechanical engineering, he |
| sensation way back. Although neighborhood | | | | used his knowledge to build the business. In 1907, |
| watchmen and people who love a nice and quiet | | | | they expanded their factory and began producing |
| night will not agree to this, the sheer loudness of the | | | | about 150 units. They even began selling wholesale to |
| sound of a Harley Motorcycle is what consumers love | | | | police departments and other government units. In |
| about it. | | | | September of that same year, the company became |
| The company began in 1903 when a 21 year old | | | | an 'incorporated. |
| enterprising young man dreamed of a small engine | | | | It was also in 1907 when another prototype was |
| that will eventually replace the 7.07 cubic and | | | | built. This time, the engine had dual cylinders called |
| four-inch flywheels. Its small size is actually meant to | | | | the V-Twin model. This model produces 7 |
| be put in a regular bicycle to make it faster. | | | | horsepower, doubling the strength especially in |
| For two years, William Harley and his friend Arthur | | | | climbing mountains. Speed was also increased to |
| Davidson worked on the idea. With the help of | | | | about 60 mph. The model was an instant hit, putting |
| Arthur's brother Walter, they finished their first | | | | their production to about 450 motorcycles in 1908 |
| prototype but when they tested it, they found that | | | | and to a whopping 1200 in 1909. In 1911, a |
| it was not strong enough to be used in climbing hills | | | | mechanically operated intake valves was introduced in |
| without the aid of pedals. So they worked on again | | | | the engine. Although the engine is actually smaller, the |
| and made some adjustments and improvements. | | | | motor gave better performance. |
| Their next prototype has a bigger engine. This time, | | | | By 1913, the business grew, prompting the owners to |
| 24.74 with about 10 inch flywheels. The loop frame | | | | build a new 5 story factory over the already built |
| was actually quite similar to the very first real Harley | | | | structure. By 1914, the company is leading the |
| motorcycle. Creating the model was a joint effort of | | | | competition in the manufacturing of motorcycles all |
| the three along with outboard motor pioneer Ole | | | | over the world. |
| Evinrude. | | | | |