Harley Davidson Museum

Type: Specialty Museums

Owner description: Harley-Davidson motorcycles bring heart-thumping adventure, life-changing freedom and a bit of rebellion into the lives of people around the world....... more » Owner description: Harley-Davidson motorcycles bring heart-thumping adventure, life-changing freedom and a bit of rebellion into the lives of people around the world. But whether you were born to be wild – or mild – makes no difference at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Much more than a nostalgia trip for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Museum offers a glimpse of American history and culture like you’ve never seen it before – through the successes and trials of an iconic American company. Interactive, eye-catching exhibits present an unparalleled collection of legendary stories of our nation’s last century. Located on 20 acres in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum offers free parking, Motor Bary & Restaurant, Cafe Racer, The Shop, park-like outdoor spaces, special event rentals, guided tours for group of 15 or more, and Steel Toe Tours of the Powertrain Operations, home of the big-twin engine.

Useful Information: Activities for older children

Harley Davidson History Time Line

1903 Harley Davidson is founded

1903 The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle is manufactured

1905 The "Silent Grey Fellow" nickname coincides with the new standard grey
color.

1907 The first Harley-Davidsons sold for police duty

1909 First "V-Twin" engine

1912 First clutch mechanism

1914 Stepstarter and internal expanding rear brake

1915 Three speed transmission

1916 The first issue of "The Enthusiast" publication
.
1922 74" Twin engine debuts

1928 Front wheel brake appears

1929 WL 45" Twin engine

1932 45" Servicar

1936 80" Side Valve Twin engine and the first "Knuckle Head" 61" engine

1937 William A. Davidson dies

1941 74" OHV Super Power engine

1942 Walter Davidson dies at age 65

1943 Bill Harley dies at age 66

1947 74" OHV Big Twin engine

1948 74" "Panhead" engine is introduced

1949 The Hydra-Glide debuts

1950 Arthur Davidson dies at age 69

1957 XLH Sportster

1958 The Hydra-Glide turns into the Duo-Glide

1959 XLCH Sportster

1960 The "Topper," a fiberglass motorscooter, was introduced.

1960 Harley Davidson teams up with Italian manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi
S.p.A. to produce a line of smaller bikes including the Shortster and Sprint
models.

1965 The Electra-Glide debuts

1965 George Roeder sets a world land speed record (177.225 m.p.h.) for 250
cc motorcycles on a much modified Harley-Davidson Sprint.

1965 After being privately held for over 60 years, Harley-Davidson goes
public.

1966 The introduction of the Harley Davidson "shovel head" engine

1967 Electric start Sportster

1969 Merger with American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF)

1971 FX 1200 Super Glide

1972 1000 cc XLH/XLCH Sportster

1972 First disc brakes on a Harley

1977 FXS 1200 Low Rider and FLHS

1978 75th Anniversary models

1978 FLH 80 Electra-Glide

1978 First electronic ignition on a Harley

1979 FXS 80 Low Rider

1980 FLT rubber mounted engine

1981 Senior executives at Harley-Davidson purchase the company from AMF.
Harley-Davidson once again becomes a privately owned company.

1983 President Reagan imposes additional tariffs on all Japanese motorcycles
700 cc or larger.

1983 The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is established.

1984 The Introduction of the "Evolution" engine

1984 First Softail models and Air Assisted Anti-Drive

1986 By offering common stock and subordinated notes, Harley-Davidson once
again becomes a publically owned corporation.

1987 In an unprecedented move, Harley-Davidson petitions the ITC for early
termination of the five year tariff imposed in 1983.

1988 Patented "Springer" front-end returns

1990 Dyna model is introduced

1991 All Harleys change to five speed transmission

1992 All Harleys adopt a belt drive

1993 "90th Anniversary" homecoming

1995 First fuel injection models

Harley Review

Harley Davidson History Time Line