Editing Harley-Davidson (section)

==History==
[[File:Founders of Harley-Davidson The North Shore Bulletin Dec 1920.jpg|From left: William A. Davidson, Walter Davidson Sr., [[Arthur Davidson (motorcycling)|Arthur Davidson]] and [[William S. Harley]]|thumb]]

In 1901, {{age|1880|12|29|1901|7|20}}-year-old [[William S. Harley]] drew up plans for a small engine with a [[Engine displacement|displacement]] of 7.07 cubic inches (116&nbsp;cc) and four-inch (102&nbsp;mm) [[flywheel]]s<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DreHM9-kvckC&pg=PA13 |page=13 |title=Classic Harley-Davidson, 1903–1941 |first=Herbert |last=Wagner |publisher=MotorBooks International |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-7603-0557-7 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101145956/http://books.google.com/books?id=DreHM9-kvckC&pg=PA13 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum/explore/hd-timeline.html |title=Harley-Davidson History Timeline |publisher=Harley-Davidson USA |access-date=November 2, 2018 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829123643/https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum/explore/hd-timeline.html |url-status=live }}</ref> designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. Over the next two years, he and his childhood friend [[Arthur Davidson (motorcycling)|Arthur Davidson]] worked on their [[Motorized bicycle|motor-bicycle]] using the northside [[Milwaukee]] machine shop at the home of their friend Henry Melk. It was finished in 1903 with the help of Arthur's brother Walter Davidson. Upon testing their power-cycle, Harley and the Davidson brothers found it unable to climb the hills around Milwaukee without pedal assistance, and they wrote off their first motor-bicycle as a valuable learning experiment.<ref>Herbert Wagner, 2003. ''At the Creation: Myth, Reality, and the Origin of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1901–1909'' (Madison: [[Wisconsin Historical Society Press]]), pp. 22–28, 42–44.</ref>

The three began work on a new and improved machine with an engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405&nbsp;cc) with {{convert|9.75|in|cm|abbr=on}} flywheels weighing {{convert|28|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. Its advanced loop-frame pattern was similar to the 1903 Milwaukee Merkel motorcycle designed by Joseph Merkel, later of [[Flying Merkel]] fame. The bigger engine and loop-frame design took it out of the motorized bicycle category and marked the path to future motorcycle designs. They also received help with their bigger engine from outboard motor pioneer [[Ole Evinrude]], who was then building gas engines of his own design for automotive use on Milwaukee's Lake Street.

[[File:Harley-Davidson Monocylinder.jpg|thumb|Prototype]]
The prototype of the new loop-frame Harley-Davidson was assembled in a {{convert|10|x|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} shed in the Davidson family backyard.<ref name="Wagner, 2003. pp.45–62">Wagner, 2003. pp. 45–62.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/2711470|title=King celebrating 95 impressive years|publisher=Kokomo Tribune {{subscription required|via=Newspapers.com}}|date=June 3, 1998|page=19|access-date=March 19, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190954/http://www.newspapers.com/image/2711470/|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the major parts, however, were made elsewhere, including some probably fabricated at the West Milwaukee railshops where oldest brother William A. Davidson was toolroom foreman. This prototype machine was functional by September 8, 1904, when it competed in a Milwaukee motorcycle race held at State Fair Park. Edward Hildebrand rode it and placed fourth in the race.<ref name="Wagner, 2003. pp.45–62" />

In January 1905, the company placed small advertisements in the ''Automobile and Cycle Trade Journal'' offering bare Harley-Davidson engines to the do-it-yourself trade. By April, they were producing complete motorcycles on a very limited basis. That year, Harley-Davidson dealer Carl H. Lang of Chicago sold three bikes from the five built in the Davidson backyard shed. Years later, the company moved the original shed to the Juneau Avenue factory where it stood for many decades as a tribute.

In 1906, Harley and the Davidson brothers built their first factory on Chestnut Street (later Juneau Avenue),<ref name="H-D timeline 1900s">{{cite web |url=http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/H-D_History/history_1900s.jsp |title=HarleyDavidson History Timeline |publisher=Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company |access-date=September 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714065520/http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/H-D_History/history_1900s.jsp |archive-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> at the current location of Harley-Davidson's corporate headquarters.<ref name="employees"/> The first Juneau Avenue plant was a {{convert|40|x|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} single-story wooden structure. The company produced about 50 motorcycles that year.

[[File:1907 Harley Davidson.jpg|thumb|left|1907 model]]
[[File:Harley-Davidson 1000 cc HT 1916.jpg|thumb|left|Harley-Davidson 1,000&nbsp;cc HT 1916]]
In 1907, William S. Harley graduated from the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] with a degree in mechanical engineering. That year, they expanded the factory with a second floor and later with facings and additions of Milwaukee pale yellow ("cream") brick. With the new facilities, production increased to 150 motorcycles in 1907. The company was officially incorporated that September. They also began selling their motorcycles to police departments around this time, a market that has been important to them ever since.<ref>Wagner, 2003. pp. 68–81, 118.</ref> In 1907, William A. Davidson quit his job as tool foreman for the Milwaukee Road railroad and joined the Motor Company.

Production in 1905 and 1906 were all single-cylinder models with 26.84-cubic-inch (440&nbsp;cc) engines. In February 1907, they displayed a prototype model at the [[Chicago Auto Show|Chicago Automobile Show]] with a 45-degree [[V-Twin]] engine. Very few V-Twin models were built between 1907 and 1910. These first V-Twins displaced 53.68 cubic inches (880&nbsp;cc) and produced about {{convert|7|hp|kW}}. This gave about double the power of the first singles, and top speed was about {{convert|60|mph|km/h|-1|abbr=on}}. Production jumped from 450 motorcycles in 1908 to 1,149 machines in 1909.<ref>Wagner, 2003. pp. 124–25.</ref>

[[File:Harley Davidson Motor Company The Implement Age v16.jpg|thumb|Harley-Davidson works in 1911]]

In 1911, the company introduced an improved V-Twin model with a displacement of 49.48 cubic inches (811&nbsp;cc) and mechanically operated intake valves, as opposed to the "automatic" intake valves used on earlier V-Twins that opened by engine vacuum. It was smaller than earlier twins but gave better performance. After 1913, the majority of bikes produced by Harley-Davidson were V-Twin models.

In 1912, Harley-Davidson introduced their patented "Ful-Floteing Seat", which was suspended by a coil spring inside the seat tube.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gingerelli |first=Dain |title=Harley-Davidson Museum Masterpieces |page=21 |chapter=1912 Model X–8–A |publisher=Motorbooks |location=Minneapolis, Minn. |year=2010 |url={{Google books |1c-d1dqD8DYC |Harley-Davidson Museum Masterpieces |plainurl=yes}} |chapter-url={{Google books |1c-d1dqD8DYC |Harley-Davidson Museum Masterpieces |page=20 |plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-7603-3894-0 |lccn=2010014130}}</ref> The spring tension could be adjusted to suit the rider's weight, and more than {{Convert|3|in|mm}} of travel was available.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Plueddeman |first=Charles |title=Soul Survivor|magazine=[[Cycle World]] |date=July 1998 |volume=37 |issue=7 |page=73 |url={{Google books |dzSElH5E4AQC |Cycle World Magazine Jan 1998 |page=RA7-PA65 |plainurl=yes}} |editor-last=Edwards |editor-first=David |publisher=Hachette Filipacchi Magazines |location=Newport Beach, Calif. |issn=0011-4286}}</ref> Harley-Davidson used seats of this type until 1958.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gingerelli |first1=Dain |last2=Michels |first2=James Manning |last3=Everitt |first3=Charles |year=2010 |title=365 Motorcycles You Must Ride |page=91 |publisher=MBI Publishing |location=Minneapolis, Minn. |url={{Google books |Kabox9JS1OEC |title=365 Motorcycles You Must Ride |page=91 |plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-7603-3474-4}}</ref>
[[File:1911HarleyDavidson"SilentGrayFellow".jpg|thumb|1911 Harley-Davidson "Silent Gray Fellow," on display at the [[Harley-Davidson Museum]], Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The motorcycle featured many encased moving parts and was quiet for its day.]]
[[File:1913 Harley-Davdson Model 9-B.jpg|thumb|1913 Harley Davidson Model 9-B on display at the [[Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum]], Birmingham, Alabama. The single-cylinder motorcycle had a displacement of 560cc, weighed 275 pounds, and had a top speed of 55 mph.]]
[[File:1919 Harley-Davidson FUS ARMY.jpg|thumb|1919 Harley-Davidson military model made for the U.S. Army, on display at the [[Harley-Davidson Museum]], Milwaukee, Wisconsin.]]

By 1913, the yellow brick factory had been demolished and a new five-story structure had been built on the site which took up two blocks along Juneau Avenue and around the corner on 38th Street. Despite the competition, Harley-Davidson was already pulling ahead of [[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] and dominated motorcycle racing after 1914. Production that year swelled to 16,284 machines.
[[File:RalphHepburn1922.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ralph Hepburn]] on his Harley racing bike in 1919]]

===World War I===

In 1917, the United States entered [[World War I]] and the military demanded motorcycles for the war effort.<ref>{{cite web |title=The National World War One Museum – Recent Acquisitions – Model J 1917 Harley-Davidson Army Motorcycle |url=http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/display.aspx?sid=110&gid=1&pgid=967 |publisher=The National World War One Museum |access-date=June 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224180234/http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/display.aspx?sid=110&gid=1&pgid=967 |archive-date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> Harleys had already been used by the military in the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sterling |first=Christopher H. |title=Military Communications: From Ancient Times to the 21st Century|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-732-6|page=493|chapter=V: Vehicles and Transport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first1=Philip S.|last1=Jowett |first2=A. M.|last2=De Quesada |first3=Stephen |last3=Walsh |title=The Mexican Revolution, 1910–20|year=2006|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84176-989-9|page=61}}</ref> but World War I was the first time that it was adopted for military issue, first with the British [[Model H]] produced by [[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd]] in 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-biker-gangs/history-of-the-motorcycle |title=History of the Motorcycle |date=September 12, 2015|access-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906033102/http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-biker-gangs/history-of-the-motorcycle|archive-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> The U.S. military purchased over 20,000 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson.<ref name="PBS HD 9-2006">{{cite web |first=Tukufu |last=Zuberi |title=History Detectives – Episode 9, 2006: Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, Flemington, New Jersey |website=[[PBS]] |url=https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/harley-davidson-motor-cycle/ |year=2006 |access-date=June 13, 2009 |archive-date=December 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208035051/http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/harley-davidson-motor-cycle/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Harley-Davidson launched a line of bicycles in 1917 in hopes of recruiting more domestic customers for its motorcycles. Models included the traditional [[diamond frame]] men's bicycle, a [[step-through frame]] 3–18 "Ladies Standard", and a 5–17 "Boy Scout" for youth. The effort was discontinued in 1923 because of disappointing sales.<ref>Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, various artifacts, ephemera, and placards. One placard states "''Harley-Davidson began as a motorcycle manufacturer unlike competitors such as Indian and Pope, which has [''sic''] previous histories in bicycling prior to building motorcycles. The many connections between bicycling and motorcycling prompted Harley-Davidson to begin selling bicycles in 1917. Despite heavy promotion, sales were disappointing and production was discontinued in 1923.''"</ref> The bicycles were built for Harley-Davidson in [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], Ohio by the Davis Machine Company from 1917 to 1921, when Davis stopped manufacturing bicycles.<ref name="HeroBicycle">{{cite book |last=Youngblood |first=Ed |year=2003 |title=The Heroes of Harley-Davidson|url={{Google books|EsYzQ5W3d2sC|The Heroes of Harley-Davidson |page=137 |plainurl=yes}} |location=St. Paul, Minn. |publisher=Motorbooks International |page=137 |isbn=0-7603-1595-7 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref>

===1920s===
[[File:Harley-Davidson 1000 cc HT 1923.jpg|thumb|left|Harley-Davidson 1000 cc HT 1923]]

By 1920 Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with 28,189 machines produced and dealers in 67 countries.<ref name="H-D timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/museum/explore/hd-timeline.html |title=HD Timeline |publisher=Harley-Davidson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519225011/http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/museum/explore/hd-timeline.html |archive-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref> In 1921, Otto Walker set a record on a Harley-Davidson as the first motorcycle to win a race at an average speed greater than {{convert|100|mph|km/h|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=57|title=Otto Walker|work=home.ama-cycle.org|access-date=December 30, 2014|archive-date=December 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230080356/http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=57|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statnekov.com/motorcycles/lives19.html|title=Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing, Chapter 19|work=American Vintage Racing Motorcycles 1900–1933|publisher=Daniel K. Statnekov|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324023911/http://www.statnekov.com/motorcycles/lives19.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harley-Davidson put several improvements in place during the 1920s, such as a new 74&nbsp;cubic inch (1,212.6 &nbsp;cc) V-Twin introduced in 1921, and the "teardrop" gas tank in 1925. They added a front brake in 1928, although only on the J/JD models.<ref>The Encyclopedia of the Harley-Davidson by Peter Henshaw and Ian Kerr, p. 139</ref> In the late summer of 1929, Harley-Davidson introduced its 45-cubic-inch (737&nbsp;cc) [[Flathead engine|flathead]] V-Twin to compete with the [[Indian 101 Scout]] and the [[Excelsior Super X]].<ref name="Chronicle68">{{Cite book|author=Mitchel, D.|title=Harley-Davidson Chronicle – An American Original|pages=[https://archive.org/details/harleydavidsonch0000mitc_u3q3/page/68 68–69]|publisher=Publications International Limited|year=1997|isbn=0-7853-2514-X|url=https://archive.org/details/harleydavidsonch0000mitc_u3q3/page/68}}</ref> This was the "D" model produced from 1929 to 1931.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Hornsby |title=American V – A Potted History of Harley-Davidson: Part 1 1903–1954 |url=http://www.american-v.co.uk/heritage/timeline/pottedhist1/index.html |work=American V] |publisher=American-V |location=Crewe, England |access-date=June 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928094348/http://www.american-v.co.uk/heritage/timeline/pottedhist1/index.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> Riders of Indian motorcycles derisively referred to it as the "three cylinder Harley" because the generator was upright and parallel to the front cylinder.<ref>Mitchel, p.70</ref> In 1929, [[Vivian Bales]] drove a record 5,000 miles across the United States and Canada on a D-model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 1929 |title=Seeing the country |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3EcwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aKYFAAAAIBAJ&dq=vivian%E2%80%93bales%20motorcycle&pg=1155,4934156 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=news.google.com |publisher=Berkeley Daily Gazette}}</ref>

===Great Depression===
[[File:Harley-Davidson 1200 cc SV 1931.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Harley-Davidson 1,200&nbsp;cc SV 1931]]

The [[Great Depression]] began a few months after the introduction of their {{cvt|45|cuin|adj=on}} model. Harley-Davidson's sales fell from 21,000 in 1929 to 3,703 in 1933. Despite this, Harley-Davidson unveiled a new lineup for 1934, which included a flathead engine and [[Art Deco]] styling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/harley-davidson/1934-harley-davidson-vld.aspx |title=1934 Harley-Davidson VLD |publisher=Motorcycle Classics |access-date=August 5, 2009 |date=March–April 2009 |author=Margie Siegal |archive-date=September 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902132746/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/harley-davidson/1934-harley-davidson-vld.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

In order to survive the remainder of the Depression, the company manufactured industrial powerplants based on their motorcycle engines. They also designed and built a three-wheeled delivery vehicle called the [[Servi-Car]], which remained in production until 1973.<ref name="Chronicle68" />

[[File:Vintage harley davidson photo in madrid spain 2011.jpg|left|thumb|Harley-Davidson UL]]

Alfred Rich Child opened a production line in Japan in the mid-1930s with the {{cvt|74|cuin|adj=on}} VL. The Japanese license-holder, Sankyo Seiyaku Corporation, severed its business relations with Harley-Davidson in 1936 and continued manufacturing the VL under the [[Rikuo Motorcycle|Rikuo]] name.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=81 The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum – 1958 Rikuo RT2: Harley-Davidson's Japanese connection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511222710/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=81 |date=May 11, 2012}}. Motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved April 27, 2012.</ref>
[[File:Harley-Davidson Sales Co.jpg|thumbnail|left|Harley-Davidson dealer in Texas, ca. 1930–1945]]
An {{convert|80|cuin}} flathead engine was added to the line in 1935, by which time the single-cylinder motorcycles had been discontinued.<ref name="Chronicle92">Mitchel, p. 92</ref>

In 1936, the 61E and 61EL models with the "[[Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine|Knucklehead]]" [[Overhead valve|OHV]] engines were introduced.<ref name="Chronicle94">Mitchel, pp. 94–95</ref> [[Valvetrain]] problems in early Knucklehead engines required a redesign halfway through its first year of production and retrofitting of the new valvetrain on earlier engines.<ref name="Classic Motorcycles 53">{{Cite book |last=Johnstone |first=Gary |title=Classic Motorcycles|orig-year=First published 1993 by Boxtree Ltd.|year=1995|publisher=Tiger Books International|location=Twickenham|isbn=1-85501-731-8|page=53|chapter=Union Pacific Meets Roy Rogers}}</ref>

By 1937, all Harley-Davidson flathead engines were equipped with dry-sump oil recirculation systems similar to the one introduced in the "Knucklehead" OHV engine. The revised {{convert|74|cuin}} V and VL models were renamed U and UL, the {{cvt|80|cuin}} VH and VLH to be renamed UH and ULH, and the {{cvt|45|cuin}} R to be renamed W.<ref name="Chronicle94" />

In 1941, the 74-cubic-inch "Knucklehead" was introduced as the F and the [[Harley-Davidson FL|FL]]. The {{cvt|80|cuin}} flathead UH and ULH models were discontinued after 1941, while the 74-cubic-inchU & UL flathead models were produced up to 1948.<ref name="Chronicle94" />

===World War II===
[[File:xa-600.jpg|thumb|Harley copied the [[BMW motorcycles|BMW]] R71 to produce its [[Harley-Davidson XA|XA model]].]]
One of only two American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the [[Great Depression]] (the other being the [[Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company]]),<ref name="Popular Mechanics Street" /><ref name="Ulti Moto 17">{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Hugo |title=The Ultimate Motorcycle Book|year=1993|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=London|isbn=0-7513-0043-8|page=17|chapter=The World's Motorcycles: America}}</ref> Harley-Davidson again produced large numbers of motorcycles for the US Army in [[World War II]] and resumed civilian production afterwards, producing a range of large V-twin motorcycles that were successful both on racetracks and for private buyers.

Harley-Davidson, on the eve of World War II, was already supplying the Army with a military-specific version of its {{convert|45|cuin}} WL line, called the [[Harley-Davidson WLA|WLA]]. The A in this case stood for "Army". Upon the outbreak of war, the company, along with most other manufacturing enterprises, shifted to war work. Some 90,000 military motorcycles, mostly WLAs and WLCs (the Canadian version) were produced, many to be provided to allies.<ref name="wildthing">''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]'' magazine, August 2003, pp. 34 – "Wild Thing", Robert F. Howe</ref> Harley-Davidson received two [[Army-Navy "E" Award]]s, one in 1943 and the other in 1945, which were awarded for Excellence in Production.

[[File:HD Liberator.jpg|left|thumb|Harley-Davidson produced the WLC for the [[Canadian military]]. ]]
Shipments to the [[Soviet Union]] under the [[Lend-Lease]] program numbered at least 30,000.<ref>[http://www.zr.ru/content/articles/318704-inostrannyj_legion_motocikly_po_lend-lizu/ Foreign Legion: motorcycles under Lend-Lease] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115348/http://www.zr.ru/content/articles/318704-inostrannyj_legion_motocikly_po_lend-lizu/ |date=April 2, 2015 }} // Moto, 2011 (in Russian)]</ref> The WLAs produced during all four years of war production generally have 1942 serial numbers. Production of the WLA stopped at the end of World War II, but was resumed from 1949 to 1952 for use in the [[Korean War]].

The U.S. Army also asked Harley-Davidson to produce a new motorcycle with many of the features of [[History of BMW motorcycles|BMW's]] side-valve and [[Drive shaft|shaft-driven]] R71. Harley-Davidson largely copied the BMW engine and drive train and produced the shaft-driven 750&nbsp;cc 1942 and '43 [[Harley-Davidson XA]]. This shared no dimensions, no parts or no design concepts (except side valves) with any prior Harley-Davidson engine. Due to the superior cooling of the [[flat-twin]] engine with the cylinders across the frame, Harley's XA cylinder heads ran 100&nbsp;°F (56&nbsp;°C) cooler than its V-twins.<!-- The conversion template from °F to °C is a conversion of temperature values, and does not work for temperature differences. More details are available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Flat-twin_engine/Archive_1#Temperature_difference_vs._temperature_value. --><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=71 |title=Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum: 1942 Harley-Davidson XA |work=Motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=February 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727003729/http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=71 |archive-date=July 27, 2012}}</ref> The XA never entered full production: the motorcycle by that time had been eclipsed by the [[Jeep]] as the Army's general-purpose vehicle, and the WLA{{snd}}already in production{{snd}}was sufficient for its limited police, escort, and courier roles. Only ~1,000 were made and the XA never went into full production. 

===Small: Hummer, Sportcycle and Aermacchi===
[[File:Harley-Davidson Hummer.jpg|thumb|[[Harley-Davidson Hummer]] ]]
[[File:Harley-Davidson Young America advertisement.jpg|thumb|upright|''Sportcycle'', 1966 "Young America" advertising campaign<ref>[[Honda Super Cub]]</ref>]]
{{See also|Harley-Davidson Hummer|Harley-Davidson Topper}}
As part of [[war reparations]], Harley-Davidson acquired the design of a small German motorcycle, the [[DKW RT 125]], which they adapted, manufactured, and sold from 1948 to 1966.<ref name="HummerClub">[http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/history History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102222838/http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/history/ |date=November 2, 2013 }}. Harley Hummer Club (May 17, 2010). Retrieved July 7, 2011.</ref> Various models were made, including the [[Harley-Davidson Hummer|Hummer]] from 1955 to 1959, but they are all colloquially referred to as "Hummers" at present.<ref name="HummerDotCom">[http://www.harleyhummer.com/ Harley Hummer. Com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219163649/http://www.harleyhummer.com/ |date=December 19, 2014 }}. Harleyhummer.com. Retrieved July 7, 2011.</ref> [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] in the United Kingdom took the same design as the foundation of their [[BSA Bantam]].<ref name="EncycMoto37">Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 37 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 {{ISBN|0-7513-0206-6}}</ref>

[[File:Aermacchi Turismo Veloce 1971 crop.jpg|thumb|left|1971 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Turismo Veloce]]
In 1960, Harley-Davidson consolidated the Model 165 and Hummer lines into the Super-10, introduced the Topper scooter,<ref name="EncycMoto 252">Wilson, p. 252</ref> and bought fifty percent of [[Aermacchi]]'s motorcycle division.<ref name="EncycMoto 252" /><ref name="MotoClassicsSprint350">{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/aermacchi-harley-davidson-350-sprint.aspx|title=Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Sprint 350|work=Motorcycle Classics|access-date=July 18, 2011|date=July–August 2011|author=Richard Backus|archive-date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714082522/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/aermacchi-harley-davidson-350-sprint.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Importation of [[Aermacchi]]'s 250&nbsp;cc horizontal single began the following year.<ref name="MotoClassicsSprint350" /><ref name="EncycMoto74">Wilson, p. 74</ref><ref name="Chronicle187">Mitchel, p. 187</ref> The bike bore Harley-Davidson badges and was marketed as the Harley-Davidson Sprint.<ref name="EncycMoto74" /><ref name="Chronicle187" /> The engine of the Sprint was increased to 350&nbsp;cc in 1969<ref name="MotoClassicsSprint350" /><ref name="Chronicle215">Mitchel, p. 215</ref> and would remain that size until 1974, when the four-stroke Sprint was discontinued.<ref name="Chronicle215" />

After the Pacer and Scat models were discontinued at the end of 1965, the Bobcat became the last of Harley-Davidson's American-made [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] motorcycles. The Bobcat was manufactured only in the 1966 model year.<ref name="Chronicle193">Mitchel, p. 193</ref>

Harley-Davidson replaced their American-made lightweight two-stroke motorcycles with the Italian [[Aermacchi]]-built two-stroke powered M-65, M-65S, and Rapido. The M-65 had a semi-step-through frame and tank. The M-65S was a M-65 with a larger tank that eliminated the step-through feature. The Rapido was a larger bike with a 125&nbsp;cc engine.<ref name="Chronicle218">Mitchel, p. 218</ref> The Aermacchi-built Harley-Davidsons became entirely two-stroke powered when the 250&nbsp;cc two-stroke SS-250 replaced the four-stroke 350&nbsp;cc Sprint in 1974.<ref name="Chronicle247">Mitchel, pp. 247, 250</ref>

Harley-Davidson purchased full control of [[Aermacchi]]'s motorcycle production in 1974 and continued making two-stroke motorcycles there until 1978, when they sold the facility to [[Cagiva]], owned by the Castiglioni family.<ref name="EncycMoto 252" />

===Tarnished reputation===
[[File:ZweiRadMuseumNSU EasyRider.JPG|thumb|upright|Replica of the "[[Captain America (motorcycle)|Captain America bike]]" from the film ''[[Easy Rider]]'' ]]
In 1952, following their application to the [[United States International Trade Commission|U.S. Tariff Commission]] for a 40 percent tax on imported motorcycles, Harley-Davidson was charged with restrictive practices.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ian Chadwick, ichadwick@sympatico.ca |url=http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/triumph/time03.html |title=Triumph Motorcycles Timeline: Recovery and Growth 1946–1962 |work=Ianchadwick.com |access-date=January 5, 2009 |archive-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929075144/http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/triumph/time03.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Harley-Davidson 6.jpg|thumb|left|AMF H-D Electra Glide]]
In 1969, [[American Machine and Foundry]] (AMF) bought the company,<ref name="amfacq">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=17IVAAAAIBAJ&pg=2845%2C5498 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Nelson |first=Mervin C. |title=AMF acquiring Harley-Davidson |date=November 1, 1968 |page=1, part 1 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="fft buy">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AQQqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7209%2C141747 |work=The Milwaukee Journal |title=Firm fights to buy Harley-Davidson |date=November 1, 1968 |page=1, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> streamlined production, and slashed the workforce. This tactic resulted in a [[strike action|labor strike]] and cost-cutting produced lower-quality bikes.<ref name="hotbikeweb" /> Simultaneously, the Japanese "big four" manufacturers ([[Honda]], [[Kawasaki motorcycles|Kawasaki]], [[Suzuki]], and [[Yamaha Motor Corporation|Yamaha]])<ref name="Hetrick">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=95f1-fanCVIC&dq=universal+japanese+motorcycle%22&pg=PP8|title=Sport Bikes (Full Throttle)|last=Hetrick|first=Hans|date=2010|publisher=Edge Books, Capstone Press|isbn=978-1429647519|page=12}}</ref> revolutionized the North American market by introducing what the motoring press would call the [[Universal Japanese Motorcycle]].<ref name="ujm motorcycle">{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/2009-suzuki-tu250x-review-88791.html |author=Pete Brissette |title=2009 Suzuki TU250X Review |work=[[Motor Cycle News]] |date=2009-10-06 |access-date=2016-07-14 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807175446/https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/2009-suzuki-tu250x-review-88791.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In comparison, Harley-Davidson's bikes were expensive and inferior in performance, handling, and quality. Sales and quality declined, and the company almost went bankrupt.<ref name="hotbikeweb" /> The "Harley-Davidson" name was mocked as "Hardly Ableson", "Hardly Driveable", and "Hogly Ferguson",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/H.htm |title=The Motorcycle Bikers Dictionary – H |website=totalmotorcycle.com |access-date=April 27, 2008 |archive-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803151848/http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/H.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
and the nickname "Hog" became [[pejorative]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rkj8y8QYppMC&q=harley+davidson+hog+nickname+negative&pg=PA19|title=Harley-Davidson Motorcycles|last=Stermer|first=Bill|date=2002|publisher=MotorBooks International|isbn=978-1-61060-951-7|pages=19|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403202301/https://books.google.com/books?id=Rkj8y8QYppMC&q=harley+davidson+hog+nickname+negative&pg=PA19|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1977, following the successful manufacture of the Liberty Edition to commemorate America's [[United States Bicentennial|bicentennial]] in 1976,<ref>{{cite web |author=incEngine |url=http://www.classic-harley.com/incEngine/?product=1030190204 |title=Harley-Davidson Liberty Edition |work=Classic-harley.com |access-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910201753/http://www.classic-harley.com/incEngine/?product=1030190204 |url-status=live }}</ref> Harley-Davidson produced what has become one of its most controversial models, the [[Harley-Davidson Confederate Edition]]. The bike was essentially a stock Harley-Davidson with [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]]-specific paint and details.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson.aspx|title=1977 Harley-Davidson Confederate Edition|publisher=Motorcycle Classics|access-date=August 5, 2009|date=January–February 2009|author=Chris MacMahan|archive-date=August 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810072516/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Restructuring and revival===
In 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of 13 investors led by [[Vaughn Beals]] and [[Willie G. Davidson]] for $80&nbsp;million.<ref name="wild_thing">''Smithsonian'' magazine, August 2003, p. 36 – "Wild Thing", Robert F. Howe</ref> The new management team improved product quality, introduced new technologies, and adopted [[just-in-time (business)|just-in-time]] inventory management.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duprey |first1=Rich |title=33 Years Ago, Tariffs Saved Harley-Davidson Inc. – or Did They? |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/05/33-years-ago-today-tariffs-saved-harley-davidson.aspx |access-date=October 21, 2018 |work=[[The Motley Fool]] |date=April 5, 2016 |archive-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232224/https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/05/33-years-ago-today-tariffs-saved-harley-davidson.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> These operational and product improvements were matched with a strategy of seeking tariff protection for large-displacement motorcycles in the face of intense competition with Japanese manufacturers. These protections were granted by the Reagan administration in 1983, giving Harley-Davidson time to implement their new strategies.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Lemmy |title=Motorcycle tariffs and Harley-Davidson Lessons from the last time |url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/motorcycle-tariffs-and-harley-davidson |website=RevZilla.com |publisher=[[RevZilla.com|RevZilla]] |access-date=October 21, 2018 |date=March 5, 2018 |quote=Harley again requested federal assistance in 1982, this time citing Article XIX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1974, better known as 'the escape clause.' |archive-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232352/https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/motorcycle-tariffs-and-harley-davidson |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="7/83 US Imposes 45% Tariff on Imported Motorcycles">{{cite web |editor=Roderick Seeman |title=7/83 US Imposes 45% Tariff on Imported Motorcycles |work=The Japan Lawletter |date=July–August 1983 |url=http://www.japanlaw.info/lawletter/july83/ase.htm |access-date=December 12, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308143411/http://www.japanlaw.info/lawletter/july83/ase.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2008}}</ref>

Revising stagnated product designs was a crucial centerpiece of Harley-Davidson's turnaround strategy. Rather than trying to mimic popular Japanese designs, the new management deliberately exploited the "retro" appeal of Harley motorcycles, building machines that deliberately adopted the look and feel of their earlier bikes and the subsequent customizations of owners of that era. Many components such as brakes, forks, shocks, carburetors, electrics and wheels were outsourced from foreign manufacturers and quality increased, technical improvements were made, and buyers slowly returned.

Harley-Davidson bought the "Sub Shock" cantilever-swingarm rear suspension design from Missouri engineer Bill Davis and developed it into its [[Softail]] series of motorcycles, introduced in 1984 with the FXST Softail.<ref name="HDCentury_FatherSoftail">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Field|first=Greg|editor=Darwin Holmstrom|encyclopedia=The Harley-Davidson Century|title=Father of the Softail|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUidavBaEbUC|access-date=December 26, 2012|date=September 1, 2002|publisher=MotorBooks International|location=St. Paul, Minn.|isbn=0-7603-1155-2|pages=242–243}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In response to possible motorcycle market loss due to the aging of baby-boomers, Harley-Davidson bought luxury [[motorhome]] manufacturer [[Holiday Rambler]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Harley-Davidson Evolution Motorcycles|author=Greg Field|page=33|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7603-0500-3|publisher=Motorbooks}}</ref> In 1996, the company sold Holiday Rambler to the [[Monaco Coach Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pedatarvcenter.com/rvtopics/holidayramblerrv.html |title=The Holiday Rambler RV: A Historic Look |work=Pedata RV Center |publisher=Pedata Resales |location=Tucson, AZ USA |access-date=May 17, 2011 |quote=In 1996, the Holiday Rambler RV line became one of the prestigious lines backed by Monaco Coach Corporation. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715061441/http://www.pedatarvcenter.com/rvtopics/holidayramblerrv.html |archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref>

The "Sturgis" model, boasting a dual belt-drive, was introduced initially in 1980 and was made for three years. This bike was then brought back as a commemorative model in 1991.

===Fat Boy, Dyna, and Harley-Davidson museum===
{{Main|Harley-Davidson Fat Boy|Harley-Davidson Museum}}
By 1990, with the introduction of the [[Harley-Davidson Fat Boy|"Fat Boy"]], Harley-Davidson once again became the sales leader in the heavyweight (over 750&nbsp;cc) market.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Managing Organizations and People, Modular Version|last1=Buller|last2=Schuler|first1=Paul|first2=Randall|publisher=Cengage Learning|year=2012|isbn=9781133416500|pages=74}}</ref> At the time of the Fat Boy model introduction, a [[false etymology]] spread that "Fat Boy" was a combination of the names of the atomic bombs [[Fat Man]] and [[Little Boy]].<ref name="HDCentury_FatBoy">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Field|first=Greg|editor=Darwin Holmstrom|encyclopedia=The Harley-Davidson Century|title=Chapter 8: The Evolution Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUidavBaEbUC|access-date=December 26, 2012|date=September 1, 2002|publisher=MotorBooks International|location=St. Paul, Minn.|isbn=0-7603-1155-2|pages=259, 261}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This has been debunked, as the name "Fat Boy" actually comes from the observation that the motorcycle is somewhat wider than other bikes when viewed head-on.<ref name="Luckhurst">{{cite web |last1=Luckhurst |first1=Tim |title=Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/harleydavidson-flstf-fat-boy-424174.html |website=The Independent |access-date=13 December 2021 |language=en |date=14 November 2006 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213183125/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/harleydavidson-flstf-fat-boy-424174.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Barrett">{{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Rick |title=Harley Fat Boy a screen and street star |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2015/08/05/harley-fat-boy-screen-street-star/31195423/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=13 December 2021 |date=5 August 2015 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213183357/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2015/08/05/harley-fat-boy-screen-street-star/31195423/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mikkelson |first1=David |title=Harley-Davidson Fat Boy |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fat-boy/ |website=Snopes.com |access-date=13 December 2021 |date=8 November 2000 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213182344/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fat-boy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

1993 and 1994 saw the replacement of FXR models with the Dyna (FXD), which became the sole rubber mount FX Big Twin frame in 1994. The FXR was revived briefly from 1999 to 2000 for special limited editions (FXR<sup>2</sup>, FXR<sup>3</sup> & FXR<sup>4</sup>).<ref name="HDCentury_EndOfFXR">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Field|first=Greg|editor=Darwin Holmstrom|encyclopedia=The Harley-Davidson Century|title=Chapter 8: The Evolution Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUidavBaEbUC|access-date=December 26, 2012|date=September 1, 2002|publisher=MotorBooks International|location=St. Paul, Minn.|isbn=0-7603-1155-2|page=267|quote=For 2000 came the FXR<sup>4</sup>, which was the last of two distinguished breeds: the last of the rubber-mounted FXR models and the last of the Evo-powered Harley Big Twins.}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Harley-Davidson celebrated their 100th anniversary on September 1, 2003 with a large event and concert featuring performances from [[Elton John]], [[The Doobie Brothers]], [[Kid Rock]], and [[Tim McGraw]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tarnoff |first1=Andy |title=Flashback: Elton John silences the Harley roar |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/elton.html |website=On Milwaukee |date=September 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2019 |archive-date=February 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217084930/https://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/elton.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Construction started on the $75&nbsp;million, 130,000 square-foot (12,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) [[Harley-Davidson Museum]] in the [[Menomonee Valley]] of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 1, 2006. It opened in 2008 and houses the company's vast collection of historic motorcycles and corporate archives, along with a restaurant, café and meeting space.<ref name="museum">[http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/05/29/daily31.html The Business Journal (Milwaukee)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915121911/http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/05/29/daily31.html |date=September 15, 2016 }} – Harley-Davidson kick-starts $75M museum project</ref>

===Overseas operations===
Established in 1918, the oldest continuously operating Harley-Davidson dealership outside of the United States is in Australia.<ref name="employees">{{cite web|url=http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/company/locations.html |title=Facility Locations Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Harley-Davidson has more than 6,400 employees worldwide.|publisher=Harley-Davidson|access-date=May 24, 2017 |year=2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619070315/http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/company/locations.html|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sales in Japan started in 1912<ref name="employees" /> then in 1929, Harley-Davidsons were produced in Japan under license to the company [[Rikuo Motorcycle|Rikuo]] (Rikuo Internal Combustion Company)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q473NKddjnAC&q=Harley-Davidson+RL+45&pg=PA240 |title=Google Books: ''Japan's Motorcycle Wars: An Industry History'' |date=January 2009 |isbn=9780774858441 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |last1=Alexander |first1=Jeffrey W. |publisher=UBC Press |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403201355/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q473NKddjnAC&q=Harley-Davidson+RL+45&pg=PA240 |url-status=live }}</ref> under the name of Harley-Davidson and using the company's tooling, and later under the name Rikuo. Production continued until 1958.<ref name="Vanneck 1998">{{cite news |author=Hugo Vanneck |title=Japan's King of the Road |publisher=Classic Bike |date=March 1998 |pages=93–97}}</ref><ref name="Sucher 1981">{{cite news |author=Harry V. Sucher |title=Harley-Davidson |publisher=Haynes Publishing Group Ltd |date=August 1981 |pages=79–88}}</ref>

In 1998, the first Harley-Davidson factory outside the US opened in [[Manaus]], Brazil, taking advantage of the [[Free Economic Zone of Manaus|free economic zone]] there. The location was positioned to sell motorcycles in the southern hemisphere market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/1998/07/06/daily6.html |title=Harley to assemble motorcycles in Brazil |website=The Business Journals |date=July 7, 1998 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111020314/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/1998/07/06/daily6.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-harley-davidson-motorcycle.html |title=Harley-Davidson Motorcycle History |work=Motorcycle.com |date=January 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-date=August 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822012521/http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-harley-davidson-motorcycle.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2009, Harley-Davidson launched [[Harley-Davidson India]] and started selling motorcycles there in 2010.  The company established the subsidiary in [[Gurgaon]], near Delhi, in 2011 and created an Indian dealer network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harley-Davidson Planning To Open Indian Plant |work=DriveSpark |date=June 21, 2012 |url=http://www.drivespark.com/two-wheelers/2012/21-harley-davidson-to-open-indian-plant-003281.html |access-date=December 4, 2012 |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602102858/http://www.drivespark.com/two-wheelers/2012/21-harley-davidson-to-open-indian-plant-003281.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Harley Rock Riders Season 3, Bangalore |publisher=[[Eastern Fare]] |url=http://www.efi-news.com/2012/11/harley-rock-riders-season-3-bangalore.html |access-date=December 4, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605220711/http://www.efi-news.com/2012/11/harley-rock-riders-season-3-bangalore.html |archive-date=June 5, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> On September 24, 2020, Harley Davidson announced that it would discontinue its sales and manufacturing operations in India due to weak demand and sales. The move involves $75 million in restructuring costs, 70 layoffs and the closure of its Bawal plant in northern India.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-25|title=Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54290245|access-date=2020-09-25|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122223628/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54290245|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Buell Motorcycle Company===
{{Main|Buell Motorcycle Company}}
[[File:Buell XB9SX a.jpg|thumb|Buell Lightning XB9SX]]
Harley-Davidson's association with [[sport bike|sportbike]] manufacturer [[Buell Motorcycle Company]] began in 1987 when they supplied Buell with fifty surplus XR1000 engines. Buell continued to buy engines from Harley-Davidson until 1993, when Harley-Davidson bought 49 percent of the Buell Motorcycle Company.<ref name="MC July 08">{{Cite magazine |last=Frank |first=Aaron |date=July 2008 |title=25 Years of Buellishness: American Genius or America's Fool?|magazine=[[Motorcyclist (magazine)|Motorcyclist]]|pages=82–94|publisher=Source Interlink Magazines}}</ref> Harley-Davidson increased its share in Buell to ninety-eight percent in 1998, and to complete ownership in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buell Motorcycle Co. – Two Wheel Innovation |publisher=Industry Today |url=http://www.industrytoday.com/article_view.asp?ArticleID=1485 |access-date=June 13, 2009 |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025945/http://www.industrytoday.com/article_view.asp?ArticleID=1485 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In an attempt to attract newcomers to motorcycling in general and to Harley-Davidson in particular, Buell developed a low-cost, low-maintenance motorcycle. The resulting single-cylinder [[Buell Blast]] was introduced in 2000,<ref name="MO Blast">*{{cite web |title=Buell Blast – A Better Beginner's Bike? |url=http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/buell/buell-blast-13968.html |work=Motorcycle.com |publisher=VerticaScope Inc |date=January 15, 2000 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714121243/http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/buell/buell-blast-13968.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was made through 2009, which, according to Buell, was to be the final year of production.<ref name="Procter 2009">{{Cite news |url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2009/July/jul3109-Buell-derides-and-crushes-regrettable-Blast/?R=EPI-117242 |title=Buell derides and crushes 'regrettable' Blast |first=Guy |last=Procter |date=July 31, 2009 |work=Motorcycle News |publisher=Bauer |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417150502/https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2009/july/jul3109-buell-derides-and-crushes-regrettable-blast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Buell Blast was the training vehicle for the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge New Rider Course from 2000 until May 2014, when the company re-branded the training academy and started using the [[Harley-Davidson Street|Harley-Davidson Street 500]] motorcycles. In those 14 years, more than 350,000 participants in the course learned to ride on the Buell Blast.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/harley_davidson_riding_academy_new_rider_course.aspx |title=Harley-Davidson Riding Academy {{!}} Motorcycle Rider Training {{!}} Beginner |date=September 16, 2014 |publisher=Women Riders Now |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054517/http://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/harley_davidson_riding_academy_new_rider_course.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson Inc. issued an official statement that it would be discontinuing the Buell line and ceasing production immediately, in order to focus on the Harley-Davidson brand.<ref name="Harley-Davidson.com Oct 15">{{Cite news |url=http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News/0581_press_release.hdnews&newsYear=2009&history=news |title=Harley-Davidson announces 3rd quarter results, Unveils long-term business strategy |website=Harley-Davidson.com |access-date=October 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019094856/http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News%2F0581_press_release.hdnews&newsYear=2009&history=news |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The company refused to consider selling Buell.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company |last=Anderson |first=Steve |date=May 2010|magazine=[[Cycle World]]|pages=42–48}}</ref> Founder [[Erik Buell]] subsequently established [[Erik Buell Racing]] and continued to manufacture and develop the company's [[Buell 1125R|1125RR]] racing motorcycle.<ref name="MotoUSA1190RR1stLook">{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/614/6201/Motorcycle-Article/Buell-1190RR-Superbike-First-Look.aspx |title=Buell 1190RR Superbike First Look |first=Bart |last=Madson |date=March 5, 2010 |work=Motorcycle USA |access-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910002813/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/614/6201/Motorcycle-Article/Buell-1190RR-Superbike-First-Look.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Claims of stock price manipulation===
[[File:HOG 5years.PNG|frame|Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) stock price (source: ZenoBank.com)]]
During its period of peak demand, during the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century, Harley-Davidson embarked on a program of expanding the number of dealerships throughout the country{{which|date=August 2024}}. At the same time, its current dealers typically had waiting lists that extended up to a year for some of the most popular models. Harley-Davidson, like the auto manufacturers, records a sale not when a consumer buys their product, but rather when it is delivered to a dealer. Therefore, it is possible for the manufacturer to inflate sales numbers by requiring dealers to accept more inventory than desired in a practice called [[channel stuffing]]. When demand softened following the unique{{why|date=August 2024}} 2003 model year, this news led to a dramatic decline in the stock price. In April 2004 alone, the price of HOG shares dropped from more than $60 to less than $40. Immediately prior to this decline, retiring CEO Jeffrey Bleustein profited $42&nbsp;million on the exercise of [[employee stock option]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793952/000122520804000684/xslF345X02/doc4.xml |title=SEC Form 4 |website=sec.gov |date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=US Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710051225/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793952/000122520804000684/xslF345X02/doc4.xml |url-status=live }}</ref> Harley-Davidson was named as a defendant in numerous [[class action]] suits filed by investors who claimed they were intentionally defrauded by Harley-Davidson's management and directors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glancylaw.com/amazing_case.php?caseid=125 |title=Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP – Attorneys at Law |website=Glancylaw.com |date=January 21, 2004 |access-date=January 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621221725/http://www.glancylaw.com/amazing_case.php?caseid=125}}</ref> By January 2007, the price of Harley-Davidson shares reached $70.

===Problems with Police Touring models===
Starting around 2000, several police departments started reporting problems with high-speed instability on the Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles.<ref>Honolulu Star Bulletin – http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/02/22/news/story12.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023233506/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/02/22/news/story12.html |date=October 23, 2012 }}</ref>  A [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] police officer, Charles Paul, was killed when his 2002 police touring motorcycle crashed after reportedly experiencing a [[speed wobble|high-speed wobble]].<ref>[http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/06/03/36810/officers-family-settles-motorcycle.html?storylink=mirelated Officer's Family Settles Motorcycle Suit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003052832/http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/06/03/36810/officers-family-settles-motorcycle.html?storylink=mirelated |date=October 3, 2012}} ''Raleigh News Observer'', June 3, 2008</ref> The [[California Highway Patrol]] conducted testing of the Police Touring motorcycles in 2006.  The CHP test riders reported experiencing wobble or weave instability while operating the motorcycles on the test track.<ref>[http://www.kpho.com/story/14896060/some-harley-motorcycles-plagued-by-death-wobble-5-16-2011 "Some Harley Motorcycles Plagued by Death Wobble"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015233709/http://www.kpho.com/story/14896060/some-harley-motorcycles-plagued-by-death-wobble-5-16-2011 |date=October 15, 2015 }} KPHO Arizona May 16, 2011</ref>

===2007 strike===
On February 2, 2007, upon the expiration of their union contract, about 2,700 employees at Harley-Davidson Inc.'s largest manufacturing plant in [[York, Pennsylvania]], went on strike after failing to agree on wages and health benefits.<ref>{{Cite news |title=2,700 union workers strike Harley-Davidson|agency=United Press International |date=February 2, 2007|url=http://www.newsdaily.com/Business/UPI-1-20070202-12373100-bc-us-harleydavidson.xml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927164833/http://www.newsdaily.com/Business/UPI-1-20070202-12373100-bc-us-harleydavidson.xml|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Strike shuts down Harley-Davidson plant, Company suspends production of motorcycles amid contract dispute|publisher=Associated Press via NBC News|date=February 2, 2007|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16941254|access-date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923220703/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16941254|url-status=live}}</ref> During the pendency of the strike, the company refused to pay for any portion of the striking employees' health care.<ref>{{cite news |title=Striking Harley workers take hits in the pocketbook|newspaper=The York Dispatch |date=February 12, 2007|url=http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_5211461|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222082222/http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_5211461|archive-date=February 22, 2007}}</ref>

The day before the strike, after the union voted against the proposed contract and to authorize the strike, the company shut down all production at the plant. The York facility employs more than 3,200 workers, both union and non-union.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Harley closes big plant on strike threat|agency=United Press International |date=February 1, 2007|url=http://www.newsdaily.com/Business/UPI-1-20070201-18094300-bc-us-harley.xml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927164852/http://www.newsdaily.com/Business/UPI-1-20070201-18094300-bc-us-harley.xml|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

Harley-Davidson announced on February 16, 2007, that it had reached a labor agreement with union workers at its largest manufacturing plant, a breakthrough in the two-week-old strike.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Deal ends Harley-Davidson strike|year=2007|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17192748|access-date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923220748/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17192748|url-status=live}}</ref> The strike disrupted Harley-Davidson's national production and was felt in Wisconsin, where 440 employees were laid off, and many Harley suppliers also laid off workers because of the strike.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tentative deal in Harley-Davidson strike – 2,800 workers out since February 2; rank-and-file still must vote on deal|publisher=Associated Press via NBC News|date=February 16, 2007|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17192748|access-date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923220748/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17192748|url-status=live}}</ref>

===MV Agusta Group===
On July 11, 2008, Harley-Davidson announced they had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the [[MV Agusta|MV Agusta Group]] for US$109 million (€70M). MV Agusta Group contains two lines of motorcycles: the high-performance [[MV Agusta]] brand and the lightweight [[Cagiva]] brand.<ref name="SuperbikePlanet.com July 11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jul/080711b.htm |title=Harley-Davidson Acquires Both MV Agusta & Cagiva! |work=SuperbikePlanet.com |access-date=July 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714123334/http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jul/080711b.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Harley-Davidson.com July 11">{{Cite news |url=http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News/0292_press_release.hdnews&newsYear=2008&history=news |title=HarleyDavidson to acquire Mv Agusta Group expanding presence in Europe |work=Harley-Davidson.com |access-date=July 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715040931/http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News%2F0292_press_release.hdnews&newsYear=2008&history=news |archive-date=July 15, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The acquisition was completed on August 8.<ref>{{cite web|title=Harley-Davidson Completes Acquisition of MX Agusta; Company Expands European Presence with Premium Italian Motorcycle Company|url=http://hd-parts.org/Harley-Davidson-Completes-Acquisition-of-MX-Agusta.html|publisher=Press Release Issued By Harley-Davidson, Inc.|access-date=October 31, 2014|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031121945/http://hd-parts.org/Harley-Davidson-Completes-Acquisition-of-MX-Agusta.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Harley-Davidson Completes Acquisition of MV Agusta |publisher=Motorcycle Daily.com |url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/080808pressrelease1.htm |access-date=September 14, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503053454/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/080808pressrelease1.htm}}</ref>

On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced that it would divest its interest in MV Agusta.<ref name="Harley-Davidson.com Oct 15" />  Harley-Davidson Inc. sold Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni – a member of the family that had purchased Aermacchi from H-D in 1978 – for a reported 3 euros, ending the transaction in the first week of August 2010. Castiglioni was MV Agusta's former owner, and had been MV Agusta's chairman since Harley-Davidson bought it in 2008.  As part of the deal, Harley-Davidson put $26M into MV Agusta's accounts, essentially giving Castiglioni $26M to take the brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/business/100759404.html |title=Harley-Davidson takes a beating on MV Agusta|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625082407/http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/business/100759404.html|archive-date=June 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="HarleySellsMVAgusta">{{Cite magazine |last=Waheed |first=Adam |editor-last=Hutchison |editor-first=Ken |date=August 6, 2010 |title=Harley-Davidson Finalizes Sale of MV Agusta |magazine=Motorcycle USA |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/7660/Motorcycle-Article/Harley-Davidson-Finalizes-Sale-of-MV-Agusta.aspx |access-date=October 18, 2010 |quote=American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson announced today that it has completed the sale of MV Agusta for an undisclosed amount to Claudio Castiglioni and his wholly-owned holding company, MV Agusta Motor Holding, S.r.l. |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019115135/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/7660/Motorcycle-Article/Harley-Davidson-Finalizes-Sale-of-MV-Agusta.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2008 financial crisis===
The [[2008 financial crisis]] and [[2008–2010 automotive industry crisis]] affected also the motorcycle industry. According to Interbrand, the value of the Harley-Davidson brand fell by 43 percent to $4.34&nbsp;billion in 2009. The fall in value is believed to be connected to the 66 percent drop in the company profits in two-quarters of the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.pravda.ru/business/companies/23-09-2009/109454-harley_davidson-0 |title=Harley-Davidson, Toyota and Porsche Brands Lose Value |access-date=October 1, 2009 |date=September 21, 2009 |publisher=Pravda.ru |archive-date=September 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926074555/http://english.pravda.ru/business/companies/23-09-2009/109454-harley_davidson-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 29, 2010, Harley-Davidson stated that they must cut $54&nbsp;million in manufacturing costs from its production facilities in Wisconsin, and that they would explore alternative U.S. sites to accomplish this. The announcement came in the wake of a massive company-wide restructuring, which began in early 2009 and involved the closing of two factories, one distribution center, and the planned elimination of nearly 25 percent of its total workforce (around 3,500 employees). The company announced on September 14, 2010, that it would remain in Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/harley-davidsons-to-remain-wisconsin-made/?src=mv&ref=automobiles |work=The New York Times |first=Jerry |last=Garrett |title=Harley-Davidsons to Remain Wisconsin-Made |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203231319/https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/harley-davidsons-to-remain-wisconsin-made/?src=mv&ref=automobiles |url-status=live }}</ref>