1901 William S. Harley, age 21, completed a blueprint drawing of an engine designed to fit into a bicycle.

1903 Harley Davidson is founded

1903 The first Harley Davidson motorcycle is manufactured

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

1907 The first Harley Davidson sold for police work

1909 First V-Twin engine

1912 First clutch mechanism

1914 Step-starter 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 motor scooter, was introduced.

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

1965 The Electra-Glide debuts

1965 George Roeder sets a world land speed record (177.225 m.p.h.) for 250cc 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

1996 A new, state-of-the-art Parts and Accessories Distribution Center opens in Franklin, WI. By the beginning of 1997, all inventory is moved from the original warehouse at Juneau Avenue to the new 250,000-sq.-ft. facility.

1998 Harley-Davidson celebrates its 95th Anniversary. 140,000 plus riders are warmly received by Milwaukee to help with the celebration.


1999 The Touring and Dyna motorcycle families receive the new Twin Cam 88® engine.

2000 The FXSTD Softail® Deuce™ is introduced to the immediate delight of riders and the motorcycle media.

2001 The VRSCA V-Rod® is introduced for the 2002 model year. Inspired by the VR-1000 racing motorcycle, the V-Rod is Harley-Davidson's first motorcycle to combine fuel injection, overhead cams and liquid cooling, and delivers 115 horsepower.

2006 The first of the 6-speed transmissions are made available on 2006 model year Dyna™ motorcycles. Also joining the Dyna family is the FXDB/I Street Bob™. The 2006 model year includes the all new FLHX/I Street Glide, a lower profile touring motorcycle. The first of the 6-speed transmissions are made available on 2006 model year Dyna motorcycles. Also joining the Dyna family is the FXDB/I Street Bob. The 2006 model year includes the all-new FLHX/I Street Glide, a lower profile touring motorcycle.