Harley Davidson
When you think about motorcycles one of the first brands to roll off your tongue is Harley Davidson. Harley Davidson Motorcycles are synonymous with freedom, open road, and loud, rumbling exhaust pipes. It has been said that riding a Harley makes a 50 year old account executive feel as if the world is cowering at his feet. There is a definite sense of relief and excitement when that big engine fires and the horses pull you away from the curb. The love affair that the world has with the Harley Davidson Motorcycle has lasted for 105 years and will continue well into the future.
Over the last century there have been several notable Harley Davidson models. Will Harley and Arthur Davidson produced their first motorized bicycle in 1903. It was an utter failure. It could not pull the small hills in Milwaukee without being pedaled. Back to the drawing board to increase the size of the engine and flywheels. Walter Davidson joined the crew about this time. The success started there. Some of the more memorable models are the 1912 Single Stroke. This was one of the last single stroke motors Harley Davidson mass produced. After 1917 almost every model had a V-twin motor. The 1927 JD was a huge success with the military. Most of the JD series were sold to the Army. All of them were painted drab green. Those that were sold to civilians had red pinstripes. The 1951 FLH Hydra Glide is noted for the over-sized speedometer that sits on the gas tank. You can’t forget the 1938 Knucklehead. There is the little sideshow, the 1963 Topper. That was one of the few years Harley tried to produce motor scooters.
Starting in 1920 Harley Davidson began to set world land speed records in many different classes. In 1920 it was 103.756 mph, then 106.8 mph in 1923. In 1937 a Model E was clocked at 136.183 on the flats at Daytona. In 1970 a modified Harley hit 265.492. The top speed to this date for a Harley Davidson Motorcycle is 322.101 on an “Easy Rider”.
The ease that a Harley can be customized has led to a sub-culture of bikes that are amazing to look at. It all began with the “choppers” of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Now you can buy a custom bike from any of the thousands of Harley Davidson dealers around the world.
The only thing in the world that is more widely recognized than the vibrating exhaust of a Harley is the Harley Davidson logo. Commonly known as the “Bar and Shield”, this logo can be found in over 80 countries world wide. Also associated with Harley’s is the name hog. Although it is not a trademark of the company it was started by a 1920’s Harley racing team. They were winning a lot and would take a victory lap with a real hog on the bike. They were called the hog boys and the name became connected with the Harley Davidson motorcycles they rode.
No matter who you are you have heard of, and heard, a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The name brings freedom and power to mind for us all.
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