Debut starting from tin cans to the machine. Competition with Japanese-made motorcycles, he had to change the management pattern in order to back up from the crisis. This is the struggle of Harley Davidson, which more than 100 years became an icon of masculinity.
The name Harley Davidson has become a symbol for the king of the streets and the elements of macho or machismo. HD history began in 1901. Two friends of William 'Bill' Harley and Arthur Davidson been eating kid-friendly to both working at a bicycle factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this bicycle factory Harley became draftsman, while Davidson to design a pattern. Both were initiated: what if the wind-powered bicycle - that's why is called the train the wind - it can be replaced by the machine energy.
Indeed, it is not an original idea. Previously, the company owned by ER Thomas had made the machine by pressing on a bicycle. Bill and Arthur, then his age - each - 21 and 20 years, only an amateur designer who wants to produce a practical work. They are trying to build an internal-combustion engines, which are driven from the engine.
Bill is a hobby fishing, while often accompanies his pal Arthur rowing boat. At first, they wanted to move the boat. Bicycle motorization idea came after they read some technical magazines. Bill and Arthur's ideas began to be taken seriously as a draftsman of German descent, Emil Kroger, joined. Kroger who previously worked in Paris, had just settled in America. When I moved to America, he brought and the last pictures of De Dion engine gasoline.
Then they combine knowledge Kroger, Bill made the bike experience, and models of small engine gasoline Arthur made to open a garage. Lack of capital, equipment, and mechanical prop their dreams. At one point, Walter Davidson, Arthur's brother, who was a railroad mechanic from Kansas visited them. The arrival of Walter solve their problems. Walter is also interested in the idea of making motorized bicycle, he immediately agreed to move to Wisconsin, his native land.
So, since then, Bill Harley, Davidson sisters, and Kroger was soon spending much of her time in the workshop. Indeed, the early 20th century, the development of technology is not yet so easy, especially because there is no manual for the engine technology. Spare parts are ready to use, very little, so that every part of the engine must be made by hand.
That said, the first HD carburetors are made from tin cans tomato packing, while the first plug the same size as the door knob. When at last the work is completed, the first machine-sized HD 25-inch square (400 cc) with a maximum power of 3 hp. Rear wheels are driven directly with no clutch or transmission through a piece of leather ribbon.
After a try, HD is the first machine was too weak, can only move the bike on a level road with a speed of 25 mph. Once the street slight rise, the machine must be assisted by the rider foot strokes. In addition, the bike was not able to withstand the power of the engine, so the front wheel fork broke immediately.
Back to the drawing board, brothers Bill and Davidson raise engine fan diameter of more than two-fold. They also designed the framework of the single-barrel to replace the framework of the first model bike. It takes work day and night for months to develop a suitable kaburator. The presence of Ole Evinrude, who later was known as the ship's engine maker, very helpful. In 1903, Harley Davidson and the duo are ready to begin production of the first machine.
With the help of senior Davidson - a carpenter - they build their own garage. Place in the backyard carpenter, at 38th Street, corner of Highland Avenue. On the door was written "Harley-Davidson Motor Co.." NAPG Readmore ....
