The Birth of Harley Davidson

   It's not hard to imagine the influence that E. J. Pennington's motor-bicycle demonstration of 1895 had on the citizens of Milwaukee Wisconsin. For two young boys of approximately 14, it was almost assuredly a life changing experience. Until this time, transportation of people and goods was handled by animal power. Horses and mules, that continually needed fed and cared for, pulled wagons, coaches, and buggies. Even the personal transportation offered to the masses by the recently developed safety bicycles had drawbacks. They required work. The farther or the faster you wanted to go, the more work you had to do. Still, the simplicity and the speed was exhilarating in the 1890s.

  William S. Harley was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1880, his lifelong friend Arthur Davidson Sr., a year later in 1881. At age 15, a year after Pennington's demonstration, Harley was working at the Meiselbach bicycle factory. Later, by his late teens, he was an apprentice draftsman for the Barth Mfg. Co., while his friend Arthur Davidson was working as a pattern maker. Both were gaining experience that would benefit them on their future paths.

  By 1901, the two friends had drawn up plans for their own motor driven bicycle, having never forgotten the thrilling demonstration provided by Pennington. The engine they designed displaced just 7 cubic inches, using a small 4 in. diameter flywheel. For two years the friends worked to make their dream a reality. By 1903 they were close to success. Their accomplishments were impressive for two boys of roughly twenty two years old, but they struggled assembling their work into a rideable machine. 

  That same year, Walter Davidson, one of Arthur's older brothers, returned from his job with the Milwaukee Railroad Co. Legend has it that Arthur offered his brother the first ride on the invention... provided he helped assemble it into a running machine. Walter soon had the machine running, and after one ride, was hooked. He was impressed and believed that the machine had a successful future. He left the railroad and returned home to Milwaukee, taking a job as a machinist, and assisting Arthur and William in his spare time.

  There was a problem though. The machine lacked power, unable to climb area hills without being assisted by the rider pedalling it. By now the demonstration of the Indian by Oscar Hedstrom, riding easily up steep hills while starting and stopping was well known. They immediately scrapped their prior work and began anew with Walter's help, working out of a 10 ft. by 15 ft. shed in the Davidson's backyard. 

  With a little help and advice from a local engine builder named Ole Evinrude (of outboard motor fame), they soon developed a 24.7 cubic inche engine that used 9.75 in. flywheels. It provided a marked improvement in power. Having previously scrapped the idea of attaching an engine to a bicycle frame as most others were doing, they developed a loop style cradle frame, of the type designed by Joseph Merkel (maker of the famous Flying Merkel). Keeping their day jobs and working on motorcycles at night, the three had a successfully functioning prototype by September 1904. It was the first motorcycle to bear the name Harley Davidson. It had a leather belt drive and weighed 183 pounds while producing 3 horsepower. It was painted black with gold pinstripes and can still be seen, encased in glass, at the Harley Davidson museum. 

  In January of 1905, the trio began to circulate advertisements for their Harley Davidson motorcycle and hired their first full time employee. That same year they contracted with their first dealership, Carl H. Lang of Chicago, who that year sold 3 of 5 motorcycles produced.

  For first few years, there wasn't really any significant difference from year to year for the Harley Davidson motorcycle. From the start of work on their second design in 1903, each year was just a continuance and improvement upon the same model. Hence the reasoning behind the Motor Company's claim of their founding in 1903, although it wasn't until 1904 that they built a successful model, and 1905 before actually marketing one. (The 1903 date is itself a product of recent marketing, the Motor Company celebrated it's 50th year anniversary in 1954.)

  By 1906, what started as a part time hobby was becoming a successful business with 50 units being completed. A 40 × 60 foot factory was built and production was moved to Chestnut St., later renamed Juneau Avenue. Harley Davidson headquarters are still located there to this day. 

  In 1907, the enterprise would be officially incorporated as the Harley Davidson Motor Company. Production would reach 150 and a second floor was added to the factory. Things were moving up, literally. Up until this time, William Davidson, the eldest Davidson brother, was working as a foreman for the Milwaukee Road railroad. Seeing the success of William Harley and his brothers Arthur and Walter, he was finally persuaded to quit his job and join the company, bringing with him some much needed machinery and tooling. 

  William Harley had just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mechanical engineering and would become Cheif Engineer and Treasurer. Arthur Davidson would take the title of Sales Manager and Secretary. Walter Davidson would take the mantle of the first company President, while brother William worked as shop foreman. 

  Also that same year, the company debuted it's first prototype V-twin at the Chicago Automobile Show of 1907. By adding a second cylinder at a 45° angle, displacement was doubled to 53.68 cubic inches (880 cc) and horsepower was doubled to 7 horsepower. The new V-twin had a top speed of 60 mph.

  Harley Davidson motorcycles soon were well known for their durability and reliability, placing well in early racing. In 1908, company President and co founder Walter Davidson personally rode a production machine in an endurance race in New York state. He came in 1st place, turning in a perfect score. The win provided a boost in recognition of the brand and a boost in sales. Throughout the company's history, Harley Davidson motorcycles would be strong competitors in motorcycle racing. 

  By 1911, Harley Davidson's V-twin had been drastically improved. Although the engine size decreased to 49.48 cubic inches (811 cc) it offered far better performance. Whereas most engines of the day were of the F-head design, using atmospheric intake valves opened and closed by engine vacuum and mechanical exhaust valves, the new V-twin used camshafts and mechanical operation for both intake and exhaust valves. The new engine was a hit. Powerful, reliable, and fast. From that year forward, Harley Davidson's bread and butter was the V-twin design. They lessened their focus on single cylinder machines and shifted more towards V-twins.

  In the coming years, depression and war would drastically change the motorcycle industry in America and Harley Davidson would emerge as a survivor. Although Indian was Harley's greatest competition, production at Indian would suffer and fall, with decades long gaps in production as the brand endured bankruptcy and ownership changes. Through it all, Harley Davidson would become known worldwide as THE American V-twin and surpass all others as America's largest motorcycle manufacturer.