| It was a decisive day in the history of | | | | model 9E's 1000cc power plant was producing |
| American automobile culture in 1902, when two | | | | 10bhp which gave the bike a top speed of |
| young friends left their stable jobs at a | | | | 60mph. Initially Harley-Davidson was |
| Milwaukee engineering firm to embark upon a | | | | reluctant to get themselves involved in |
| venture that would irrevocably shape the | | | | racing, such as reliability runs however, by |
| course of motorcycle history forever. This | | | | 1914 they changed their minds and entered a |
| was the day when William S Harley and Arthur | | | | factory team. The firm's Milwaukee crew, the |
| Davidson designed and built the first | | | | "Wrecking Crew" rode powerful 8-valve V-twins |
| single-cylinder engine (400CC) right out of a | | | | which were very competitive against the rival |
| toolshed in Davidson's backyard. Although | | | | Merkel and Excelsior, and Indian. This became |
| though the first motor was reliable, it was | | | | a great period for Harley-Davidson as |
| enlarged because it was underpowered. The | | | | production rose to more than 22,000 bikes and |
| initial frame was too weak to hold the new | | | | 16,000 sidecars in 1919. These numbers were |
| engine so it was replaced with a stronger, | | | | cut in half in the upcoming 2 years mainly |
| more substantial structure that was built | | | | because of the Model T Ford, which put the |
| similar to the prototype. In 1903 they | | | | majority of American motorcycle companies out |
| produced two more bikes and three the | | | | of business. Harley-Davidson is known for its |
| following year. By 1907, Harley Davidson's | | | | large capacity V-twins but the smaller 45ci |
| growing reputation for their reliable product | | | | Forty Five played a vital part in the history |
| helped to push their annual production rate | | | | of the company. The Forty Five, produced in |
| to over 150. The year was also 1907 when | | | | 1928, was the first machine with a total loss |
| Harley Davidson decided it was time to raise | | | | oil system. It was restyled and updated 9 |
| money for expansion. They became a | | | | years later to create the W series. It was |
| corporation and divided the shares among | | | | the simple and strong Forty Five that kept |
| seventeen employees. They moved themselves | | | | Harley-Davidson in business through the |
| out of the Davidson's shed and into a much | | | | Depression of the 1930's. The WLA model |
| bigger premise which is still their location | | | | proved to be a useful military machine in |
| - Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee. The early | | | | which close to 80,000 were being used in the |
| models of Harley-Davidson motorbikes had no | | | | Second World War. These "war bikes" were |
| lights and no suspension. Within a few years | | | | converted for civilian use after the war was |
| after production began, Harley's soon had | | | | over which helped to popularize |
| fitted leading link forks a magneto ignition | | | | Harley-Davidson worldwide. In 1936, while |
| and a carbide gas headlamp. The model 5 | | | | still suffering the effects of the |
| produced in 1909 had about 4bhp from its | | | | Depression, Harley-Davidson introduced the |
| 494cc inlet over exhaust engine, with a speed | | | | Model 61E. This model's 61cc V-twin engine |
| of 45mph. Bicycle petals were used to start | | | | was a huge advancement over other models due |
| the engine. Once the bike was in motion the | | | | to its overhead valve design and |
| leather drive belt was tightened using a hand | | | | recirculating oil system. The neat style of |
| lever. (To have a more contemporary view of | | | | the 61E helped it become a huge success. It |
| what harley davidson parts now look like, | | | | became known as the knucklehead because of |
| please visit our website). The first V-twin | | | | the shape of the engines rocker covers. It |
| Harley was built in 1909. It was the model 5D | | | | gave it a technical advantage over its rival |
| but was not an immediate success. The V-twin | | | | Indian and became the ancestor to modern |
| produced close to 7bhp, which was almost | | | | Harley's. Harley-Davidson will forever be |
| twice as much as the single engine but it was | | | | synonymous with producing great bikes. What |
| difficult to start and suffered from a | | | | started as a dream, survived the Depression, |
| slipping drive belt. Two years later, in | | | | and is still going strong today. There is |
| 1911, they introduced the 45-degree V-twin | | | | nothing quite like hearing the rumble of a |
| with a revised valve gear, new frame and had | | | | Harley as you're heading for the highway. |
| been fitted with a full floating seat and | | | | |
| chain drive. These new improvements made a | | | | Visit Irv online to see a wide selection of |
| huge difference which caused the V-twin's | | | | motorcycle accessories, harley davidson |
| popularity to grow. By the year 1913 the | | | | motorcycle parts catalog and more. |