The History of Harley-Davidson: Part 1

Have you ever wondered about the history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles? We’re willing to bet that you probably have. The story of Harley-Davidson is an inspiring story of American craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and ingenuity, and every motorcycle enthusiast should know a bit about the history of the company. The history of Harley-Davidson is rich and extensive, and we’d be doing the company and our readers a serious disservice if we tried to fit it all into one post!

In the first part of our series on the history of Harley-Davidson, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the humble beginnings of the company, starting with the men who transformed Harley-Davidson from a shed-based motorbike outfit into a worldwide phenomenon. Stay tuned for our future posts as we take a deep dive into the history of one of America’s most successful motor companies! RC Components is proud to offer high-quality custom parts for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Browse our extensive selection of custom motorcycle parts today, and don’t hesitate to contact a member of our helpful staff for recommendations!

William Harley and Arthur Davidson

Our story begins with the births of two men, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. William Sylvester Harley was born in 1880 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. William was an ambitious and precocious child with a keen eye for business. His interest in mechanics and bicycles was probably piqued by his father, who was a railroad engineer from England. William furthered his interest in engineering when he took his first job working with bicycles at the Meiselbach Manufacturing Company at the young age of 15. At the time, the bicycle was quickly becoming one of the most popular and efficient modes of transportation in the United States, and he immediately began thinking about ways to improve the bicycle’s design.

Arthur Davidson was born just a year later in Milwaukee. Though his upbringing isn’t as well documented as William’s, we do know that he had a relatively humble background. Arthur and William lived next door to each other on Ninth Street in Milwaukee and the two boys quickly became friends. As they grew older, they found that they had a shared and growing interest in bicycles and mechanics. The two boys had the idea of creating a new kind of bicycle that was easier to ride than the traditional model and could also incorporate an engine.

Fast forward to 1901. William Harley, now 21, designed a blueprint of a bicycle that incorporated an engine. The idea of a mechanized bicycle was not technically new in the United states, but the concept hadn’t fully caught on with the general public. Motorized bicycles had been designed and built in Europe, though the designs were crude and the products were not available to the majority of the public. William graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1907 with a degree in mechanical engineering that would prove to be invaluable to the success of the business.

The First Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

Arthur and William continued to tinker and experiment with different gasoline bike designs. The two men worked out of a small shed on the Davidson property, with the name “Harley-Davidson Motor Company” written across the door in black paint. If you’re wondering why William’s last name was given top-billing in the company name, it’s because he came up with the original design for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. 

In 1903, William and Arthur proudly presented the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle to the world. Their first prototype had difficulty climbing hills, and the men quickly returned to their workshop to revise and improve upon the design. Arthur and William produced three more motorcycles by 1904, and in that same year they made their first sale to Charles H. Lang. Lang had just opened the first Harley-Davidson dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago. The three bikes produced in 1904 featured a single-cylinder motor as well as a bike crank and pedals. The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle sale was a monumental achievement for the company, but Arthur and William couldn’t have fathomed just how successful they would become.

Stay Tuned

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this in-depth look into the early years of Harley-Davidson and the men that turned the company into a worldwide sensation. It’s truly amazing to think that an idea conceived in a small Milwaukee shed would go on to create and continually revolutionize an industry! In the next part of our series, we’ll look at the formative years of the company and their journey into the spotlight of American manufacturing.

RC Components is your number-one resource for custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts. We offer everything from custom Harley-Davidson wheels to custom Harley-Davidson exhaust pipes, browse our extensive inventory online today! Questions or comments? We’d love to hear them! Contact us by phone or email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!