There is no other engine in the world with so much charisma, spirit and uniqueness, like the brilliantly polished shiny two-wheeled cruisers, with a V engine worthy of a car and the inscription "Harley Davidson" on the tank. It all started a long time ago, in fact 100 years ago, when Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson, children of American immigrants living in Milwaukee, decided to realize the "American dream".
Although it is an American legend and icon, it would be unfair not to mention that Bill's father was born in Manchester and Davidson in Scotland. In 1903, the first single-cylinder Harley Davidson motorcycle was created, conceived as a racing engine. A lover of innovation, C.H. Lang from Chicago opens the first representative office of the newly established company and during the year manages to sell one of the three created copies. Three years later, the business must expand to meet market demands. Six new workers were hired and a product catalog was printed. Only a year after that does it flourish. Another 12 workers are employed, the size of the factory has doubled, and production is climbing to 150 units a year. The biggest buyer of this engine at the time was the American police, who considered it perfect for doing their job.
There is a story about how the police looked at everyone who rides the same engine as them, but unfortunately in a negative context. The year 1909 is important for the history of this motorcycle, because then the first V-twin was created, 1000 cc, with a cylinder angle of 45 degrees and 7HP. An incredible 1,149 copies were produced during that year.
Over the next ten years, the company did business with the US military, and every third model was sold to them. During the First World War, about 20,000 copies of this engine were used by the American army. Such a market and material security allow the manufacturer to open 2,000 offices in America and create a great prospect. In 1920, production reached 28,189 copies of the Harley.
In 1928, the first Harley Davidson was created, with a twin-cam engine, brakes and a front wheel. This construction enabled a speed of over 135 km / h at that time.
Bill Harley dies in 1943, and seven years later Arthur Davidson. The job remains with their successors, who make every effort to continue the business.
One of the strongest marketing appearances of the time was in 1956, when the king of rock 'n' roll recorded an advertisement for "Harley Davidson", published on the cover of "Enthusiast" magazine.
The sixties are an age of innovation. Fiberglass, electric starter and many other electrical aids are used, supporting "luxury". In those years, another part of the "Harley Davidson" image was spontaneously created. Namely, drivers are starting to wear black leather jackets en masse. When it comes to image, drivers are perceived as outlaws and people on the edge of the law, thanks in large part to Marlon Brando, driving a Harley in Wilde Ones.
In addition to the technically advanced features, there is something that makes “Harley Davidson” completely different from the others, and that is its sound. I can freely say that there is no other motorcycle, which produces a sound like from the exhaust of a "Harley Davidson". The reason for this is the construction of the engine, made in such a way that between the two explosions, using a vacuum, a sound is produced that is best described by the words "pop". Technically, two "pop" are created, and instead of the third, there is a break. Motorcycle enthusiasts who once hear this sound, certainly do not forget it ...
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