Harley Davidson The Early Years.

It all started in 1901 when William S. Harley made plans for an engine that was to be used on a regular pedal frame bicycle. From these humble beginnings came the most well known name in motor cycle history. Over the next couple of years, with help from his long time friend Arthur Davidson, Arthur's brother, Walter Davidson and using the garage of another friend Henry Melk, the motor was completed in 1903. After this motor was finished, they immediately started on a new and stronger motor. With the assistance of Ole Evinrude, this motor was larger than the first. It also had a better frame designed by Joseph Merkel and so it could not be called a motorized bicycle any longer.

By 1905, Harley Davidson was producing motorcycles on a limited basis. This is also the year that Harley Davidson had there first dealership. In 1906 Harley built its first factory, and this building is the company's corporate headquarters to this day.

They sold motorcycles to the military to be used against Pancho Villa, and provided over 20,000 during World War I. During the 1920s Harley had a bike that won races with an average speed of over 100 mph. This is also when they introduced the V-Twin Motor. During the Great Depression, sales declined from 21,000 bikes sold in 1929 to less than 4000 by 1933. To keep the company going, they sold powerplants based on their motorcycle engines. They also came up with the idea and sold their first three wheeled delivery vehicle, the Servi-Car.