digg

Facebook Connect Join Digg About

The History of Harley-Davidson: Surprising Pictures of a Classic

auto.howstuffworks.com — Grandpa's first Harley might not have been that impressive after all. The first Harley's looked more like Pee Wee Herman's bike then today's version.

Who dugg this? Made popular Nov 13, 2007

Digg DudeWhat is Digg?

Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. Digg surfaces the best stuff as submitted and voted on by the community. Take the Tour to learn more.

48 Comments

show profanity settings
expand all
  • wilfordsy, on 11/13/2007, -1/+10Damn. I really hate clickety clicks especially with the 728 count!
    But hey, Harley-Davidson is top notch.
  • acdcfanbill, on 11/14/2007, -0/+7728 click throughs, no thanks...
  • GhostWithToast, on 11/13/2007, -0/+7next gallery: 2800 pictures of digg users with carpal tunnel
  • weebit, on 11/13/2007, -0/+71 of 728 @ one at a time. OMG they have to be kidding.
  • mahdaeng, on 11/14/2007, -0/+5I'm a huge HD fan (I have a Street Bob), but I am NOT going to click through 728 pictures.
  • aurrea, on 11/13/2007, -0/+4Any reason why the historical slide show of Harley Davidson is not in CHRONOLOGICAL order like any sane person would expect?
  • milliamp, on 11/13/2007, -1/+4What? The $20,000 1600cc Harleys put out maybe 60 HP. You can get a 105HP 600cc Japanese sport bike for $8,000. (I got mine used for half that)
    Even if sport bikes are not your thing the Japanese cruisers (ie. Yamaha Star, Honda) cost much less than a HD and some of them are pretty solid.
    If you are into touring, many people swear by their BMW's.
    If you refuse to buy outside of the US, Victory is decent and there are builders like American IronHorse that offer more custom bikes off the floor.
  • hiPpymIck, on 11/14/2007, -1/+4thats 728 pics ..

    #8 - nice chair
    #38 - an Italian scooter..
  • jobney76, on 11/13/2007, -0/+3I like the photos but it's not "Surprising". It's not like the old bikes were some big secret.
  • HappyScrappy, on 11/13/2007, -0/+3http://www.angryflower.com/bobsqu.gif
  • inactive, on 11/13/2007, -0/+3Submitter is showing his ignorance.
    By 1913, those spindly motorcycles were running 99 MPH
    and yes, all white tires were common for cars and motorcycles in the beginning
  • StigNordas, on 11/14/2007, -0/+3Oh man, you can't compare a Hodad to a Harley. For years the Japanese have been trying to copy the original. Just over the past decade have they finally distinguished their cruisers into more 'power cruisers.' I'm glad too, it's about time they stopped copying and started developing.
  • fuzzynyanko, on 11/13/2007, -0/+3Well, except the ones during the AMF merger, but they are pretty nice.
  • CaviMike, on 11/13/2007, -1/+4The motorcycles of yore were more of a mans machine than todays. Direct drive, no brakes, basically a bicycle with nearly uncontrollable explosions to replace your wimpy (by comparison) leg muscles. To use the word Pee Wee in the same breath as Harley-Davidson or even with motorcycle is pure blasphemy. If it weren't for the photo gallery you've shared, I would have buried you.
  • tibman, on 11/14/2007, -1/+3I'll take a Buell thank you!
  • goldwingman61, on 11/14/2007, -2/+4There is a place in Maggie Valley North Carolina that has all types of old bikes that actually still run. The place is called Wheels of time. It is a great place for bikers to check out, they have old cars too and even old jet skis just in case you think that is a relatively new item. While Harley's are nice I will stay with a Goldwing mainly for the price and comfort. For around $24,000 you can get a Goldwing with heated seats and gps navigation along with a few other extras. Personally I like all bikes.
  • p3ngwin, on 11/13/2007, -1/+3anyone else notice that the bikes started out small and practical, then bloated out and evolved into luxury traveling 2nd houses?

    just like cars and anything else. when people forget what the intention was and add "features" to make up for the fact they can't be ***** to improve the efficiency anymore.
    imagine transport vehicles if the engineers and designers focused, and never strayed from the INTENTION of the transport vehicle...imagine all those years invested in efficiency instead of lazy luxury and lousy millage......imagine.
  • ReDoEr, on 11/13/2007, -2/+4nice pics. You've got to hand it to Harley-Davidson. They've got style.

    Me, I prefer Japanese bikes. Good looks, better reliability and far better performance. All my Hog-riding friends hate the sticker on the back of my helmet. It reads, "I eat pork with my rice." :-P
  • jetsfandb, on 11/13/2007, -0/+2It never ceases to amaze me how people who don't ride Harelys repeat that inaccurate mantra 'Its all about the image'.
    Its undeniable that they do have a certain image and some people undoubtedly by them for that reason, but to lump them all into that category is just plain ignorant.
    A large part of the reason why HD has its image is that they listen to their customers and are always working to provide them with the features and ride they desire. The wealth of custom parts available from from then directly or via third party really allows for some fantastic customization.
    And yes, while other manufacturers make quality cruisers and baggers that does not detract from the quality motorcycles of HD's motorcycles.

    You also have to give credit to their marketing department. Their merchandising is yet they seem to be fairly adept at putting their name on quality merchandise.
    Also, they are smart enough to have both a national H.O.G. (Harlety Owner's Group) and local chapters. The National HOG provides certain benefits such as roadside assistance.
    The local chapters allow one instantly join up with a group of people with common riding interests and partake in regular riding and non-riding events.
    My local chapter is full of warm wonderful people who also like to have fun. Safety is always emphasized and we ride all year round (which isnt easy in New York.).

    I don't work for them or any affiliated companies and I'm not a mindless fanboy. I'm just a satisfied customer.
  • mahdaeng, on 11/14/2007, -0/+2HDs - excellent
    BMWs - excellent
    Indians - pretty good
    Triumphs - crap
    Everything else is just a dirt bike.
  • mahdaeng, on 11/13/2007, -0/+2I disagree with your taste in bikes, but I dugg your comment for your sense of humor.

    :^)
  • mahdaeng, on 11/14/2007, -0/+2[[Oh, and they're very loud because the who ride them are usually *****.]]

    Uh, no. You have apparently never ridden a motorcycle in traffic. As they say, "Loud pipes save lives." And I'm sure no one here as ever seen a jerk on a rice burner.
  • brufleth, on 11/13/2007, -1/+2HD is all about the image. Well over half the people I work with have motorcycles ranging from super sport to beat up old cruisers. The guys with Harleys have the HD shirts, the HD hats, the HD F-150, etc.

    I would definitely have to agree with your comments. Several people I work with have Triumphs too (both cruisers and sport bikes).
  • p3ngwin, on 11/13/2007, -1/+2"re-sale value" is a bad idea for anyone to consider.
    better for people to have well formed goals that are longer term and get the resources you need to accomplish those future goals. instead people have such short-term memory and sell their futures for present happiness that they end up zig-zagging all over the place to future happiness. changing goals so much means lots gets wasted and you have to "sell" what you have because it no longer is useful for your "new" goals......example being, impulse buying something because it appealed to you "right then". that is impatience and lack of awareness causing people to do anything irresponsibly NOW to be happy and not realize the consequences that bite them in the as later.
  • inactive, on 11/13/2007, -7/+8There is nothing as nice as a Harley Davidson.
  • milliamp, on 11/13/2007, -1/+2You say it isn't all about the image when even your digg icon is the Harely-Davidson logo! Now that is ***** funny.
    People who drive HD's have big Harely-Davidson logo's on the backs of their trucks and T-Shirts to be extra super sure everyone who encounters you knows just how Harely-Davidson you are.
  • inactive, on 11/14/2007, -1/+2The American answer to Japanese reliability, performance, and value. Well at least Harley did one thing right, mechanically speaking. But I must admit that their "image in a box" advertising scheme is nothing less than genius. It affords any dork the opportunity to vision themself as a true grit Altamont, meth'd-out, drug-running, hippie-slaying Hell's Angel. Then they trailer their Harley to Sturgis.
  • AdamFromMyspace, on 11/13/2007, -0/+1"It never ceases to amaze me how people who don't ride Harelys repeat that inaccurate mantra 'Its all about the image'."

    VERY rarely do I see a Harley rider that's not decked out with Harley ***** all over the place. I've owned four bikes: a Yamaha YZF600R, a Yamaha FZR600R, a Yamaha R1, and a Kawasaki ZX6R. I've ridden multiple Harleys, including an '06 Sportster with 800 miles that wouldn't start when we stopped for a break.

    I'll stick to my RELIABLE motorcycles, thank you. I'm a stunt rider and I beat the ***** out of my ZX6R daily, including having hydrolocked it once. Never has it given me so much as a whimper.
  • pbgswd, on 11/13/2007, -4/+5nice to look at but not much more. Harleys today are heavy, they vibrate, they are underpowered, they lack performance, and are incredibly overpriced. T'is lovely to long for the days of yore, but too many people use these bikes to flaunt a painful macho image. HD could be making fantastic bikes but they have held their heads in the sand for a very long time. Only now are they catching up with current technologies, but still they have a ways to go.
  • StigNordas, on 11/14/2007, -0/+1yea, but you don't buy a harley for the innovation. you buy it for the way it makes your dick swing.
  • mahdaeng, on 11/13/2007, -0/+1Wrong answer!

    :^)
  • antdude, on 11/14/2007, -0/+1Let's just post links of the top ten to see.
  • grace1225, on 02/29/2008, -0/+1check out my harley! http://www.kchanneluap.blogspot.com
  • mahdaeng, on 11/13/2007, -0/+1Good point, but completely irrelevant to the topic at hand. Buried as a result.
  • StigNordas, on 11/14/2007, -1/+1Um, Indian went bye bye. And I guess the MV Agusta makes a pretty good dirt bike?
  • AdamFromMyspace, on 11/14/2007, -1/+1Last time I checked Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki made slightly more than dirt bikes. You forgot the four manufacturers that are actually pushing the technological, performance, and reliability envelope.
  • AdamFromMyspace, on 11/14/2007, -1/+1"dependable"
    lol
  • milliamp, on 11/14/2007, -0/+0You mean you don't want to compare them. Harley was first so they shouldn't be bothered with petty things like having to complete?
    If you want to reward them by giving them $10,000 extra of your money for a lesser product have at it. You can be a $25,000 walking billboard for Harley and I'll ride circles around you on a $4,000 Suzuki with twice the horsepower.
  • GoingPostal, on 11/13/2007, -4/+4Harleys today are dependable, stylish, powerful and comfortable. They may be expensive compared to other bikes, but they have a much better resale value. Harleys are so popular, almost every other motorcycle manufacturer is trying to copy there style. As they say, "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery."
  • StigNordas, on 11/14/2007, -2/+2I like how Harley is getting high regards for introducing ABS on it's special edition 2008 models. 20 years after BMW. Whoop-de-*****-doo.
  • milliamp, on 11/14/2007, -2/+2Do you really think Harley-Davidson has style? I think off the shelf all of their bikes are pretty boring with the exception of the VRSC. Harley is a platform to build on, most people dump another $4,000 or $5,000 into them.

    To demonstrate my point compare the following 2 bikes:

    $18,000 Dyna Wide Glide
    http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/HarleyDavidson/ ...

    $10,000 V Star
    http://www.starmotorcycles.com/assets/content/imag ...

    The V Star more reliable, more powerful, and half the price. People buy Harley-Davidson only for the name.
  • inactive, on 11/14/2007, -2/+1Not to mention that all of the really classic and highly coveted chopper frames and parts of the 1960's were built around a Honda CB 750 platform, basically because they were the most popular bike on the road at the time. Similar to how kids rice out their Honda CIVICS, today.
  • bubbastrick, on 11/14/2007, -2/+1than
  • ThinkFr33ly, on 11/14/2007, -3/+2Great bikes... except for that 20 year period between around 1980 and 2000 where they were giant pieces of crap that only a fool would buy.

    Oh, and they're very loud because the people who ride them are usually *****.

    Other than that, great bikes.
  • sg1981, on 11/13/2007, -2/+1harley's are ok to look at but i'd much prefer to be on a sportsbike
  • AndrewEglinton, on 11/13/2007, -6/+5Very nice photo gallery indeed. Although I don't mind Harley's, I've always been into Japanese bikes personally.
  • brufleth, on 11/14/2007, -2/+1Just because other companies also make cruisers doesn't mean they're copying HD. Many other companies have offered similarly styled bikes for a long time.

  • Add a Comment

    Login or register to comment!
    Or, sign-in super fast with your Facebook account ...


© Digg Inc. 2009 — Content created and posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain | Terms of Use Updated | Privacy Policy
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.