Timeline: Harley-Davidson

1903: William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson build their first motorcycle.

1910: The “Bar & Shield” logo is used for the first time. It is trademarked one year later.

1914: H-D formally enters bike racing; first engineer is William S. Harley.

1922: The V-twin engine is introduced. Dealers are found in 67 countries.

1925: Gas tanks get the teardrop shape. This sets the trend for all bikes.



1929: The V-twin “flathead” engine debuts. Variations of it are available until 1973.

1935: An art-deco “eagle” design is first used, the beginning of graphics on Harleys.

1945: By the end of WWII, Harley-Davidson made almost 60,000 WLA military bikes.

1948: The 61 and 74 OHV engines are updated, also with “Panhead” shaped rocker covers.

1953: Harley-Davidson has its 50th anniversary and becomes the sole U.S. ‘bike maker.

1957: The legendary Sportster® premiers with a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine.

1964: The Servi-Car, brand-new Electra-Glide and Sportster® receive electric starters.

1966: The “Shovelhead” engines is introduced on Electra-Glides, replacing the Panhead.

1971: The new “cruiser” class, FX 1200 Super Glide® is introduced.

1977: The FXS Low Rider® and the Cafe Racer are released.

1984: V² Evolution® engine debuts on five models including the all-new Softail®.

1987: Harley-Davidson is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

1990: The legendary FLSTF Fat Boy®debuts, the Dyna line follows a year later.

2000: The FXSTD Softail® Deuce™, fuel injection and new Twin Cam 88® engine all debut.

2001: The VRSCA V-Rod® is Harley’s first fuel-injected, OHC and liquid-cooled bike.

2003: More than 250,000 people attend Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary.

2004: FLHRSI Road King® Custom is introduced. It brings a beach look to a classic Harley.

2008: The Harley-Davidson Museum opens in Milwaukee on 12 July 2008.

2010: The XL Forty-Eight and rider customizable H-D1™ are introduced.

2016: The first Namibian branch of Harley-Davidson opens in Windhoek.

This was a sponsored feature in NamWheels, images source Harley-Davidson Intl. 



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