History Harley Davidson

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Company is a leading global public company engaged in the automotive industry with spesialisai motorcycle. Located in an arid area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the state of the United States.

HISTORY Harley Davidson actually starts from the intention of William Harley and Arthur Davidson forward ideas of his predecessors, from Sylvester Howard Roper until Gottlieb Daimler. The goal''was very simple: in order to devour climbs in the area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,''said William and Arthur.

Compare this with the desire Roper and Daimler. Roper developed the first motorcycle in 1868. This motor uses the steam engine. Although Roper's creation was widely acclaimed, some ideas, like a gas pedal on hand, many adopted the motor of the future. In addition to steam-powered engine, Roper also created a charcoal-powered two-cylinder engine.

While Gottlieb Daimler is considered as the first person who actually creates the motor in 1885. However, lately, more intense Daimler struggling in four-wheel vehicles. He is known for his fellowship with Karl Benz to form Daimler-Benz Corporation, manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz.

When Harley and Davidson started her business, a number of other important breakthrough was also in progress. Henry Ford was experimenting to create the first car. Wright family also is engrossed with the concept of an airplane. As we know, Ford and Wright finally successful. Model T Ford with his car, and Wright with the early pioneering aircraft development.

On the other hand, Harley and Davidson managed to create an icon in the history of two-wheeled vehicles. The most important breakthrough is a V configured engine, which then also known as the Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, to the Twin Cam. This engine later became the benchmark for other companies, especially from Japan, in making a big motor.


Start with 60 cc Engine
Harley and Davidson begin this long journey in 1903, when they were still at the early age of 20s. Results prime person who tinkers two young children this is a one-cylinder engine with a capacity of 60 cc. Can the road and managed to devour the hill with ease. Later, because of this success, two brothers Arthur, Walter and William Davidson, joined.

Two years later, they agreed to institutionalize their business into the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Co. When standing, the company produces three new motor unit. The three motors were produced from the''factory''at the Davidson family's backyard. The so-called factory was a small shack behind the Davidson family home.

In 1906, the company moved to Juneau Avenue, occupying the room more spacious. Because more freely, the year that Harley-Davidson motor can produce 150 units. Most motorcycles they bought the local police. The reason, Harley-Davidson motorcycle can be driven at speeds high enough, and agile.

Six years after being founded, Harley-Davidson introduced the two-cylinder engine configurations V with an angle of 45 degrees. Capacity is 49.5 cubic inch engine (about 790 cc) and capable of producing approximately seven horsepower. With the machine, the speed of 60 miles per hour can be achieved. At that time, Harley-Davidson engines did not think that model would be one of the characteristics of their products.

That same year, Harley-Davidson managed to break through the 1,000 units of production figures, exactly 1149 units. Competition from other factories began to be felt, two years later. Apparently, the success of Harley-Davidson became the inspiration for another factory to start a business. In 1911, most do not appear around 150 motorcycle brand. They would become a competitor of Harley-Davidson, though not really heavy.

Evidence, Harley-Davidson is not difficult to increase production. In 1913, when the factory was expanded, the production of Harley-Davidson almost reached 13,000 units. The number was increased again during the period 1916 to 1918, to around 20,000 units. This is mainly because the U.S. Government ordered two-wheeled vehicle for the purposes of World War I.


Conquer The Great Depression
ENTERING the 1920s, Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with total production of 28,189 units. To market a product, the Harley-Davidson has agents in 67 countries. In this decade, Harley-Davidson introduced a number of innovations. V engine capacity is developed to 74 cubic inches (about 1184 cc). Gas tank teardrop design was introduced in 1925. In 1928, Harley-Davidson began equipped with front brakes.

All the achievements were quite a Harley-Davidson's capital in the face of the Great Depression, the economic recession of 1933. Although the number of production decreased to 3700 units, Harley-Davidson is able to survive. Other motor makers who also survived the Indians. This company later became the only competitor of Harley-Davidson until the 1950s.

When depression is finished, Harley-Davidson immediately step on the gas. They introduced the EL model with a capacity of 976 cc engine. This engine model popularly known as Knucklehead. With Knucklehead, Harley-Davidson slowly rise. In 1936, total production of Harley-Davidson reaches 9812 units.

World War II brought its own blessings, as well as a new milestone for Harley-Davidson. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, all Harley-Davidson's production capacity is allocated to produce motors for the benefit of the Allied forces. Civilian consumer needs abandoned altogether.

During 1941-1945, approximately 90,000 units of Harley-Davidson created the WML series. For this achievement, Harley-Davidson gets a medal''E''from the United States Navy.

After the war, Harley-Davidson back to tap its civilian production. Eh, it attracted a lot of veterans who had motor performance, and want to restore the romance of riding a Harley-Davidson. Thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle units, good production after the war as well as older models, move to house the veterans, the precursor to Harley-Davidson fans.


Competing with the Indians

IN 1948, the production of Harley-Davidson to be 31,163 units. That year, Harley-Davidson introduced its new innovation, the engine is equipped with 74 cubic inch hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum cylinder head. This machine is called The Panhead because the cylinder head cover resembling upside-down frying pan.

Entering the 1950s, second generation of the founding family began to become the motor of the company. While celebrating the 50th anniversary, Harley-Davidson lived alone in the American motorcycle market. Its traditional competitor, Indian, already out of business.

In 1957, Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster, which is touted as "The Father of Superbikes, mastermind of pure big motor. A year later, Harley Davidson introduced the Duo-Glide, which uses hydraulic rear suspension to complement the front suspension that uses a model of fork.

Next, in 1963, Harley-Davidson to adopt the use of fiberglass into the motor-bike. For this purpose, they buy 60% stake in Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of fiberglass in Wisconsin.

Year 1950-1960 was also marked by the presence of biker community, who introduced the culture of motorcycle riders. They are easily recognizable because it uses a leather jacket, covered in tattoos, and long hair. Wild Ones is the image of Marlon Brando introduced through a film titled the same.

Harley-Davidson's official community itself was only established in 1983, with the name of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). It became the community's largest Harley-Davidson owners who supported directly by the manufacturer. Currently, the number of members of HOG approaching one million people around the world.


Dark Period Due to Merger
IN 1965, Harley-Davidson went public. Four years later, the American Machine and Foundry (AMF), a merger with Harley-Davidson. However, the merger is regarded as the darkest period in the history of Harley-Davidson. The reason, in 1970 and 1980, motorcycles made in Japan that the price is very cheap to enter the market.

When Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki entered the U.S. market, Harley-Davidson's market share has fallen dramatically. Of the original 80% in 1969, to 20% ten years later. Decline in market share is to grip a number of executive Harley-Davidson. They are also looking for ways to save the company.

To restore the Harley-Davidson to khitahnya, they submitted a proposal to Citicorp. With the support fund of U.S. $ 80 million from Citicorp, they buy back shares held by the AMF (Citicorp to sell those shares to the Heller-Financial Corporation in 1986). The concept and philosophy of production and sales of Harley-Davidson was repaired.

Originally, the Harley-Davidson is a product that is affordable and easy to use and modify. That changed with the Harley-Davidson makes the product expensive and difficult to find spare parts. To replace the rear lights, for example, Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners can not just buy a shell. But I have to buy a whole sepatbornya.

In addition to Marlon Brando, a number of celebrities make Harley-Davidson parts of their appearance. Whether on the big screen, glass screen, as well as in everyday life. In 1956, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast the cover of magazines.

The mid-1990s, Arnold Schwarzeneger appear with Harley-Davidson in the movie Terminator. Action Lorenzo Lamas and Harley-Davidson Softail gasoline bertangki yellow with red flames in the Renegade series is also a favorite spectacle at the end of 1990.

Recently, actor Keanu Reeves distributed 12 units of Harley-Davidson, which is worth about U.S. $ 200,000, to all the Matrix Reloaded movie stuntman. According to Reeves, this is a sign of his gratitude to the stuntman that.


Reputation Hell's Angels and Modification Arlen Ness

EXCEPT celebrities, there are other bikers group that triggered the popularity of Harley-Davidson, which Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Hell's Angels club first established in Berdoo, California. There is literature that says that the embryo of this group is pissed off Bastards Club in Fontana, California.

Hell's Angels famous all over the world (there are 100 chapters around the world and third in the United States). But at the same time very mysterious. New Ralph''Sonny''Barger, through a book called Hell's Angel, who can tell their lunge kick. Sonny himself a member of the club.

Hell's Angels''is a collection of men who are willing to die for his friends whatever the stakes,''said Sonny. Although impressed exclusive, the influence of the Hell's Angels clearly significant. ''It is they who pioneered the Harley-Davidson modifications to motors scary,''said Sonny.

The name Hell's Angels more famous after the incident at the Rolling Stones concert, November 1969. In concert at the Altamont Raceway, the Stones asked Hell's Angels to be security guards. The concert marked the culminating incident when someone climbed onto the stage brandishing a gun. A member of the Hell's Angels was shot. The man with the gun was stabbed to death another member of the Hell's Angels.

In addition to Hell's Angels, the name of Arlen Ness also can not be separated from the way Harley-Davidson. Ness is a craftsman specialized accessories Harley-Davidson. Ness became a reference for fans of Harley-Davidson in customizing the bike.

Ness started his business in his garage in 1967. Ness Capital is a unit of time Harley-Davidson purchased with money from winning the bowling tournament. Motor did not last long with the original design. With a capital of spray paint, repainted Ness motor. His work and then brought to a successful tournament and won the first award.


More Powerful than Intel and General Electric

AFTER that, many orders of painting flow. All orders done Ness began the afternoon until past midnight. The reason, Ness is still so office workers. Finally, the work was released Ness. In 1973, Larry Kauferman, the editor of Custom Bike, see Ness creations. According to him, Ness has a uniqueness that is not owned by another modifier.

Ness then do not dwell only on the affairs of paint-paint. He penetrated into the manufacture of accessories and modifications to the engine and chassis. In creating custom parts, Ness holds the grip''Innovate always, never imitate.'' From Custom Bike magazine, Ness faces appeared in other magazines such as Hot Bike, Easy Rider, American Iron, and more.

For nearly 1000 years, Harley-Davidson maintain their traditional engine cooling system, using air. New in October 2001, Harley-Davidson introduced the V-Rod, which uses water as a cooling machine. V-Rod is Harley-Davidson result of a collaboration with Porsche.

The launch of V-Rod is concerned with Harley-Davidson won the U.S. youth market that attracted heavy Italian-made Ducati motorcycles are considered to have a sexy design. In addition, Harley-Davidson also made a bid for the European youth market, who prefer BMW made motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson's answer is a motor that whole body diluluri chrome and aluminum. Motor for U.S. $ 17,000 it has 110 horsepower. Because using water cooling, the machine can be forced up to high rotation. This makes the V-Rod can be driven up to 225 kilometers per hour. V-Rod proved able to make demand queue. Eddie Irvine, Formula 1 racing driver, is one of them. Just a few days after the launch of the V-Rod, Irvine has wara-Wiri in the parking lot with this motor circuit.

Last year, Forbes magazine oust Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. as a''Company of the Year''. According to Forbes, the year that many companies are overwhelmed with the poor, but Harley-Davidson's record sales growth of 15% to $ 3.3 billion. Revenue also increased to 26% to U.S. $ 435 million.

The company's shares are sheltering 8000 people, is on the stock exchange increased by 41% in 2001, when the S & P stock indicators recorded a decrease of 15%. In fact, since entering the stock in 1986, Harley-Davidson's annual revenues increased by 37%. And since Harley-Davidson went public, its shares have increased 15,000%. Compare with Intel, for example, that''only''recorded an increase of 7200%. Or General Electric that 1056%.