Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Owning a Harley-Davidson means owning a piece of American history. The proper name contains the hyphen since it is actually a combination of the last names of the original designers/owners, William S. Harley (who drew up the plans for the original engine in 1901 at the age of 22) and his childhood friend Arthur Davidson.

After working for the next 2 years to finish their "motor-bicycle", they realized that this first motor was not powerful enough to climb the hills around Milwaukee without assistance. Without being discouraged, they quickly wrote it off as a valuable learning experiment.

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

The new and improved model was the first real Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The "boys" received help with the bigger engine (a 405cc) from Ole Evinrude. This bigger engine took their design out of the motorized-bicycle category and helped to define what a motorcycle should contain.

Their work space at the time was a 10 x 15 ft shed located in the Davidson family's backyard. The new prototype was used to compete in a Milwaukee motorcycle race at State Fair Park on September 8, 1904, where they finished fourth. This was the first historically documented appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles

Harley Davidsons Motorcycles