Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Harley Davidson - History, Myth, Legend


Born in Milwaukee in 1903 by intuition of William Harley and Arthur Davidson, Harley Davidson legend grows progressively over time, passing through consecration of post-war boom in two wars, Centennial celebration, the birth of the first Harley Davidson Museum in the world.

Like all great things, even the Harley Davidson myth was born in silence by an idea, a passion, a nearly impossible to hope. The dream takes the form of a small motorized bicycle, carried out in small Arthur Davidson, flanked by his friend William Harley garage. And this is the first Harley in history. We are in 1901, in Milwaukee (United States) a small town that gets the visibility thanks to the adventures of Ricky Cunningham and Fonzie, legendary stars of "Happy Days" television series.Two years later (28 August 1903), and after only three copies sold the company Harley Davidson was fundada.El growth is gradual, but without ceasing: in 1907 produced motorcycles were 150, while in 1917 12,904 even.

The boom of the two conflicts

First the real boom was in 1917, when United States officially entered the first world war.The American military requires companies 45 thousand pieces, including five models from around the year 1000 cc.This increase in production allows the Harley Davidson to become, in the 1920s, the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world, present in 67 first arbitration milestone real, however, is achieved in 1921, when comes to light the first motorcycle which can reach 160 km/h.Mientras both, postwar crisis and, more important still, the great depression, remove many small production houses, leaving only two players important activities compete: Harley Davidson and Indian.With the advent of World War II, the increase in production is repeated: the bikes for the military, this time are 88,000!

Postwar and the birth of the myth

After the war, the company reached two new milestones: in 1954, with the disappearance of the India, the only real competitor, Harley Davidson is found to be the only large company in the motorcycle into circulation and January 1957 also makes the "Sportster", one of the most successful models in the history of Harley-Davidson, characterised by a line simple, much appreciated by the public. but another important event occurs in 1969: Harley Davidson was bought by the AMF (American Machine and smelting), who decided to drastically reduce its workforce, with devastating in the quality of products, which inevitably leads to a decrease in sales and at the risk of quiebra.Una situation very difficult, only partly mitigated by the conquest of the World Championship in 1974, 1975 and 1976 speed titles.

Then in 1981, the turning another point: AMF sells a group of thirteen investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie g. Davidson Harley Davidson.To continue with the rhythm, the company of Milwaukee takes a little: Harley Davidson once again become a market leader in motorcycle great scroll only with the introduction of the "Custom Softail" in 1984, but the story becomes legend officially in 1990 with the release of the new model of "Fat Boy", which perfectly embodies the new retro style chosen by the new administration to revitalize the brand, based entirely on the possibility that customers personalize their motorcycles.

Meanwhile, the legend comes increasingly become part of the daily life of millions of fans worldwide, through the creation of a series of jewels and accessories designed entirely by Harley Davidson as clocks [http://www.gioielleriabelloni.com/en/harley-davidson-by-bulova-man-watches.html] (by Bulova), silver and steel bracelet in silver or steel pins pendants rings, neck, zippo lighters, but also fixes jackets, keyrings, portfolios of leather, locking doors, tires, motorcycle covers, stickers, and more.

One hundred years

In 2003, Harley Davidson, a brand now transformed into a real myth, celebrates its 100th anniversary in style with the largest in the history of the company meeting in Milwaukee, and probably in the history of motorcycling nunca.Para commemorate the event, during the 2003 models are marketed in "siglo" Edition with special colors and tanks, accompanied by a new set of clothes.

But there are más.En Milwaukee on July 12, 2008, is created the first Harley-Davidson Museum in the world, offering visitors the opportunity to live, between past and present, this atmosphere of freedom, passion and pride "on the road" that represent the soul of the empresa.Dividido in three buildings in a total area of 12 thousand square meters, situated in a green area of square metres of 81mila, the Museum contains models of motorcycles, pictures, videos, clothing, rare documents and the collection of thousands of boards "living the Legend" custom messages from fans around the world.








Alessandro Manea


1 comment:

  1. harley leather jackets

    harley davidson is really a biker legend and his jackets are available at discounted rates

    ReplyDelete