
The early history of Harley-Davidson began in 1903 when William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson built a prototype motorcycle in a backyard shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The original plan was for a single-cylinder, 116cc engine that could be strapped to a pedal bike. However, the first effort was a bicycle adapted with a small engine and belt drive, which was underpowered and did not satisfy their hopes.
In 1904, they completed a new prototype featuring a bigger engine. The company sold production models in 1904-1905. Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 and officially incorporated in 1907. Walter Davidson acted as the first president, Arthur Davidson became the first general sales manager and the secretary, and William Davidson was the first works manager.
Other early history of Harley-Davidson includes:
- In 1937, Petrali set a land-speed record of over 136 mph with a streamlined Knucklehead.
- Between 1914 and 1921, Harley-Davidson assembled a top-notch racing team dubbed the wrecking crew.
- In 1921, auto Walker averaged 104 miles per hour on a Harley-Davidson.
The oldest Harley-Davidson motorcycle in existence is the Harley-Davidson Serial Number One, which was built in 1903. The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a display of vintage motorcycles, including “Serial Number One”.
The first production bike, the Harley-Davidson Model No. 1, was released in 1905. The purchase price was $200 and 38 copies were made. The first Harley-Davidsons were named Model 0 and Model 1. They were built on a bicycle-like frame with a rear coaster brake.
The Strap Tank is the oldest Harley-Davidson motorcycle collectors can own, as earlier models have been lost to history.
The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a top speed of 25 mph and used a tomato can for a carburetor. The prototype was a 10.2ci (167cc), single four-stroke engine with 2.125″ x 2.875″ bore and stroke which produced about 2hp.
The Harley-Davidson Model 1, produced from 1903-1905, had a 440cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine and a top speed of 35 mph. The 1908 Harley-Davidson Model 4 had a 26.8-cubic-inch (440-cc) single-cylinder engine and a top speed of near 40 mph. The 1910 Harley-Davidson Model 6 had a 30 CI F-head single-cylinder motor and a top speed of 45 mph.
Harley-Davidson perfected a two-cylinder engine, called a V-Twin, by 1909. This engine could reach speeds as high as 60 mph.
There are multiple movies about the history of Harley-Davidson:
- Harley and the Davidsons: A 2016 American miniseries that dramatizes the origins of Harley-Davidson. It’s available on Prime Video.
- The History of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle: A documentary that traces the history of the company from the early days through the 20th century.
- Harley Davidson: Making of a Legend: A 2021 movie.
Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer that was founded in 1903 by William S. Harley and brothers Arthur and Walter Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company was originally called the Motor Company and produced traditional cruiser motorcycles with air-cooled V-Twin engines. Harley-Davidson was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression.
The first internal combustion, petroleum-fueled motorcycle was the 1885 Daimler Reitwagen made by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany. The first series production motorcycle was the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller in 1894
Harley-Davidson is known for its iconic design, powerful engines, and a loyal fan base. They have a long history of producing quality motorcycles that are often associated with the American biker culture
Other reasons why Harley-Davidson is popular include:
- Durability and longevity Harleys are known for their durability and longevity, so they rarely need repairs.
- Century-long presence Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, continuously operating motorcycle companies in the world.
- Integral part of pop culture Celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Evel Knievel, and Sylvester Stallone have all ridden Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson is more than a motorbike – it’s a way of life. Its motorcycles evoke freedom, speed, and the lure of the open road.
Harley-Davidson is special for many reasons, including:
- Rich history Harley-Davidson has a rich history that spans over a century. The brand is synonymous with American motorcycle culture and represents a sense of tradition and heritage. Distinctive design Harley-Davidson is known for its iconic design, powerful engines, and a loyal fan base. Cultural impact Harley-Davidson has a cultural impact and is an emblem of freedom and individualism. High-powered performance Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles come with the latest Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin engines to supercharge your bike’s speed and performance. Distinctive sound Harley-Davidson engines are unusual in that they have a V-shape and only a single pin to which both pistons connect. Variety of styles HD offers a wide variety of styles allowing people to get their preferred style quickly. Customization options Harley-Davidson tries to incorporate every possible element of your choice into their bikes by offering many customization options
Here are some more interesting facts about Harley-Davidson:
- The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle had an engine of about 2 horsepower and could not climb hills without pedaling.
- The Harley-Davidson racing team had a pig mascot in the 1920s.
- In 1921, Otto Walker set a record on a Harley-Davidson as the first motorcycle to win a race at an average speed greater than 100 mph.
- In World War 1, Harley-Davidson donated 15,000 motorcycles to the military. These bikes were green, possibly for camouflage purposes.
- The Harley “Hog” came from racing.
- Porsche made a liquid-cooled V-4 engine for HD.
Some of the most popular Harley-Davidson motorcycles include:
- Harley-Davidson Sportster A classic model that has been around since 1957. It is known for its compact size, low seat height, and agile handling.
- Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles Come with the latest Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin engines for high-powered performance.

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