2.2 World War I Era

In 1917, the United States was drawn into World War IWorld War I (also known as the First World War , the Great War the War of the Nations and the "War to End All Wars") was a world conflict occurring from 1914 to 1918. No previous conflict had mobilized so many soldiers, or involved so many in the field of. The military demanded motorcycles for the war effort. Harleys had already been used by the military in border skirmishes with Pancho VillaFor information about the boxer, see Pancho Villa (boxer . Jose Doroteo Arango Arambula ( June 5, 1878 July 20, 1923) — better known by his nom de guerre Francisco Villa or, in its diminutive form, Pancho Villa — was one of the foremost generals of the Me, but World War I was the first time the motorcycle had been broadly adopted for combat service. The company had consolidated its position as the motorcycle of choice for police forces. Harley-Davidson provided over 20,000 machines to the military forces during World War I.

By 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu, Harley-Davidson was officially the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Their motorcycles were sold by dealers in 67 countries. Production was 28,189 machines.

In 1921Events January 2 The first religious radio broadcast ( KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) January 2 Spanish liner Santa Isabel sinks off Villa Garcia 244 dead January 2 DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park San Francisco opens. January 20 Republic of Turke, a milestone was reached in motorcycle racing. A Harley-Davidson machine was the very first to win a race at an average speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h).

During the 1920sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 Events and trends Technology John Logie Baird invents the first working t, several improvements were put in place, such as a new 74 cubic inch (1.2 L) V-Twin, introduced in 1922Events January 7 Dali Eireann ratifies the Anglo-Irish Treaty by 64-57 votes. January 10 Arthur Griffith is elected President of Dail Eireann January 11 First successful insulin treatment of diabetes. January 12 British government releases Irish prisoners, and the gas tank we still see today, called a "Teardrop" tank, in 1925Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 See also 1925 in aviation 1925 in film 1925 in literature 1925 in mu. A front brake was added in 1928Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 See also 1928 in aviation 1928 in film 1928 in literature 1928 in mu.

2.3 World War II Era

One of only two American cycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression, Harley-Davidson again produced large numbers of motorcycles for the 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.

2.4 Modern Era

By the 1970s, however, the Harley Davidson Company had ceased to be an innovator in the motorcycle industry, and the design had remained basically unchanged for many years. The bikes were expensive and far inferior in performance, handling, and quality to Japanese motorcycles. AMF bought the company and ramped up production, but this tactic resulted in even worse quality bikes. Sales declined, quality plummeted, and the company almost went out of business. The venerable name of "Harley Davidson" was mocked as "Hardly Able", and the nickname "hog" was both affectionate and pejorative. AMF sold the company back to a small group of investors, who slowed production, introduced innovative production techniques, and improved quality.

Rather than trying to match the Japanese at their own game, this new management deliberately exploited the "retro" appeal of the machines, building motorcycles that deliberately aped the look and feel of their earlier machines and the subsequent customizations of owners of that era. Quality was better, and technical improvements have been made, but these goals were never achieved at the cost of substantially modifying the design of the machine except by gradual degrees.

Even a brand new Harley therefore is in some respects a classic waiting to happen. Probably for this reason, as well as their general collectibility, Harley-Davidson motorcycles hold their resale value very well compared to other vehicles. A well maintained vehicle might never drop in value at all, although regular maintenance and customization are expected.

Similarly, the company now makes more money selling licensed merchandise featuring the Harley-Davidson logo than selling motorcycles.

Today, Harley-Davidson is considered an example of an American company that turned itself around from the brink of bankruptcy and back to profitability.

In 1998, Harley-Davidson acquired long time partner Buell Motorcycle Company . Buell motorcycles were first built in 1993 by a partnership between Harly-Davidson and former Harley Engineer Eric Buell . Buell started with a stock Sportster engine, highly modified it and bolted it into a frame of his own design. Today, Buell motorcyles are on the cutting edge of street bike technology. They typically employ radical frame designs and state of the art suspension systems that, along with the high output Sportster engine, culminate in a powerful, nimble and atypical alernative to the Japanese sport bikes.

3 The 100th Aniversary

In 2003, Harley-Davidson celebrated its 100th birthday. On Labor day weekend the City of Milwaukee (the home of HD) hosted the biggest Harley-Davidson event, if not the largest motorcycle event, in history.

4 Main Event

The main, and best-known, Harley event is Sturgis, held each year in Sturgis, South Dakota.

5 Harley Owners Group

Harley-Davidson® established the Harley Owners Group® (HOG)[1] in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley® riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the country, with a total membership of 60,000.

Rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G.® officially went international, with the first official European H.O.G. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters.

As the '90s continued, H.O.G. hysteria spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had hit the half-million mark, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. Today, more than 800,000 members make H.O.G. the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world, and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

6 External links

• Official company website
• The First Motorcycle

Car companies of the United States Motorcycle manufacturers

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