High Adrenalin: Harley Davidson, a real hero rules the odds that rule the world

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Harley Davidson, a real hero rules the odds that rule the world

Harley-Davidson or H-D or Harley that begins its journey in begining of 20th century, proved its ability to survive the odds that shakes all other same organizations. It survives the recent Great Depression in 1930s. It also survived a period of poor quality control and competition from Japanese manufacturers.

In 1917, when the United States entered World War and when the whole world was thinking how to survive in that death trap, Harley-Davidson provided about 15,000 machines to the military forces and improving their lot.

Harley-Davidson again produced large numbers of motorcycles for the US Army in World War II and resumed civilian production afterwards, producing a range of large V-twin motorcycles that were successful both on racetracks and for private buyers.

William A. Davidson, Walter Davidson, Sr., Arthur Davidson and William S. Harley

In 1901, William S. Harley, age 22, drew up plans for a small engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (102 mm) flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. Over the next two years, Harley and his childhood friend Arthur Davidson labored on their motor-bicycle using the northside Milwaukee machine shop at the home of their friend, Henry Melk.

It was finished in 1903 with the help of Arthur's brother, Walter Davidson. Upon completion, the boys found their power-cycle unable to conquer Milwaukee's modest hills without pedal assistance. Will Harley and the Davidsons quickly wrote off their first motor-bicycle as a valuable learning experiment.

After William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson started development of single cylinder engines and bicycle frames, they began to use the shed originally constructed by Arthur's father, William C. Davidson. William was a cabinetmaker for the Milwaukee Road Railway shops and commonly used the 10x15-foot woodshed as his personal shop. However, by 1903, Arthur and William took the shed over as their new and first motorcycle factory.

At some point, this takeover must have been agreed upon because someone informally painted on the door "Harley-Davidson Motor Co." The factory stood on the Davidson lot that is now the site of the Miller Brewing Co. headquarters on the corner of 38th Street and Highland Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The company sells heavyweight (over 750 cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on highways. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a distinctive design and exhaust note. They are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customization that gave rise to the chopper style of motorcycle. Except for the modern VRSC model family, current Harley-Davidson motorcycles reflect the styles of classic Harley designs.