William Harley

By zge1@usd348.com
  • Period: to

    William Harley

    He was born December 29, 1880.
    He died on September 18, 1943.
  • Arthur Davidson

    Arthur Davidson

    William met Arthur at age 15 they would soon be life long business partners.
  • First motorcycle

    First motorcycle

    The first motorcycle they sold was in 1903
  • The start

    The start

    They built a 10x15-foot wooden shed. This would hold experiments and new motorcycles they built.
  • First Factory

    First Factory

    Harley-Davidsons first factory was built in 1906
  • The business

    The business

    The business was finally up and running in 1907
  • New Engines

    New Engines

    They started prototypes of new engines they wanted to create.
  • production increase

    production increase

    The production increased to 150 motorcycles in 1907
  • First adveritsment

    First adveritsment

    They started advertising in 1907.
  • 1908 sales

    1908 sales

    They sold over 450 motorcycles in 1908
  • V-twin engine

    V-twin engine

    They made their first V-twin engine in 1909
  • The loan

    The loan

    They got a loan from Davidson's uncle that was about $170.
  • Full-Floating

    Full-Floating

    In 1912, They made a Full-Floating Seat that had a coil spring inside the seat tube.
  • Tear drop gas tank

    Tear drop gas tank

    tear drop gas tank was introduced in 1925.
  • Depression

    Depression

    Only one of two motorcycle companies to survive the depression.
  • Making hogs for the war

    Making hogs for the war

    In 1941 they made over 90,000 motorcycles to be shiped off and used for the war.