Manuals for repair of American motorcycles Harley-Davidson
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From motorized bicycle to iconic motorcycle models
Today «Harley-Davidson» is not only the most famous motorcycle manufacturer in the world, but also a lifestyle choice for many motorcycle enthusiasts. The company's history began in «New world», when there were only a few two-wheeler manufacturers in America. Today the brand is iconic; its motorcycles are sold to millions of customers around the world. For them, the company organized a separate community HOG, or Harley Owners Group, which today is considered the largest club with a huge audience of fans of legendary bikes.
Harley-Davidson logos of all time
The appearance of the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle
The year the brand was founded Harley-Davidson The year is considered to be 1903. It was during this period that 22-year-old William Sylvester Harley managed to design his first engine. It was small both in size and capacity, with a volume of only 116 cm³. But it was his invention that served as the impetus for further developments.
William Harley (1880-1943) | 
Arthur Davidson (1881-1950) |
For the next two years, William and his friend Arthur Davidson worked on creating a motorized bicycle. The workshop became a shed in Davidson's yard.
Walter Davidson (1876-1942) | 
William Davidson (1870-1937) |
The development, unusual for the New World, was ready by 1903. But soon the friends realized that their invention would not be successful. The first motorcycle, if you can call it a bicycle with a motor and a belt drive, was not able to overcome low hills without pedaling.
The first motorcycle in 1903 with a 116 cm³ engine | 
The first motorcycle of 1903, left view |
But the first failure only spurred the inventors to work harder and harder on the new device. The efforts of William Harley and Arthur Davidson were not in vain. Soon they managed to assemble the truly first and real motorcycle. It had a tubular frame and a 405 cm³ engine weighing 13 kg. This significant event took place on September 8, 1904.
405 cm³ single cylinder engine | 
Motorcycle from 1904 with a 405 cm³ engine |
At the same time, a race was being held at State Fair Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was on them that the first ride of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was made. The driver was Eduard Hildebrand, who finished fourth. This day is considered to be the official birthday of the motorcycle company «Harley-Davidson».
Development and path to success
Participation in the races contributed to the fact that during the year in the magazine «Automobile&Cycle» Articles appeared advertising engines and full-fledged Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A year later, the company had its own factory, from which more than 150 models rolled off the assembly line within a year.
This is the first rapid step towards entering the market. And the company was helped to make it by a contract, on the basis of which «Harley-Davidson» began supplying motorcycles to state police officers.
The first V-Twin engine with a displacement of 880 cm³ | 
Motorcycle with V-Twin engine 1907 |
In 1907, the manufacturer announced new motorcycle models. They differed significantly from the previous model range, since they were almost twice as powerful as all previously released cars. The new products were equipped with two-cylinder engines with a volume of 880 cm³ and reached a speed of 100 km/h. In two years of continuous production, the company sold more than 1,100 motorcycles.
In 1909, production was modernized. The old factory building was demolished. In its place, a new, five-story building was built, the construction of which used the most advanced materials of that time.
Harley-Davidson factory in 1911 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson W 1919 |
5 years later, in 1914, Harley-Davidson became the leader in the American market. At this significant time, the brand overtakes its only competitor, the manufacturer Indian, in terms of sales, having sold almost 17 thousand motorcycles.
Events at Harley-Davidson during wartime
The First World War played a huge role in the development of Harley-Davidson. Until 1918, the brand supplied motorcycles to the British and American armies. During this period, the HD factory produced about 20 thousand models. Thanks to this, already in the 20s the brand became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Official product dealers «Harley-Davidson» were present in 70 countries.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson 22J 1922 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson HT 1923 |
Production volumes gradually increased. By 1925, the number of motorcycles produced reached about 20 thousand models per year.
Victories in sports competitions, as well as the records set during them, also contributed no less to the development of the brand. In 1921, Otto Walker set a new speed record. On a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a 1200 cm³ engine, he reached a record speed of 160 km/h. In 1935, motorcycle racer Joe Petralli won all the races on the company's motorcycle in the American National Championship. Moreover, the athlete not only took prizes, but also managed to set 4 new world records at once.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson VL 1931 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson EL 1936 |
Together with the development of their own brand, Harley-Davidson is making an invaluable contribution to history. Thus, it was thanks to the development of the trademark that the development of the motorcycle industry began in Japan. The license for them was acquired by the Japanese company Sankyo, through whose efforts Japan’s own motorcycle brand Rikuo appeared.
Few people know that exactly the company «Harley-Davidson» contributed to the emergence of such a concept as «customization». The brand was the first to offer its customers to decorate motorcycles with various designs and ornaments, which were made in the Art Deco style.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson WL-45 1937 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson WLA-42 1942 |
The HD company developed successfully during and after the First World War. But the consequences of the Great Depression in the USA in the 1930s significantly hit the brand. However, she managed to rehabilitate herself with the outbreak of World War II.
Between 1941 and 1945 the company produced the Liberator motorcycle model, or «Liberator». It was this company’s motorcycle that was in service with all allies. During wartime, Harley-Davidson produced more than 90 thousand of these motorcycles. Moreover, models with strollers and on two wheels were produced. Both versions of motorcycles were in demand, as each proved to be a trouble-free and easy-to-drive vehicle.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson WLC-42 1942 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson WLC-43 1943 |
With the end of World War II, the company returned to producing civilian motorcycles.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson S-125 Hummer 1950 | 
Scooter Harley-Davidson Topper 1960 |
Harley-Davidson today and its iconic motorcycle models
Thanks to the tireless spirit of pioneers, Harley-Davidson is today a leader in the global market. The company's motorcycles combine the origins of history and modern technological developments. It was precisely this combination that led to what «Harley-Davidson» created truly iconic motorcycles of the following models:
Electra Glide
The first tourer of this model rolled off the Harley-Davidson assembly line in 1965. Since its introduction on the market, Electra Glide has been the most popular. «Electric train», as the touring bike is popularly called, is equipped with a 1690 cm³ engine and a fuel tank of 18.9 liters. You can reach a speed of 223 km/h on such a motorcycle. Motorcycle today «Harley-Davidson» presented in several modifications. The most budget is «Standart» with a minimum set of options. The most expensive modification is the CVO. The optimal modification for today is Electra Glide Ultra, which contains all the necessary elements and functions.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Electra Glide 2015 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Electra Glide 2019 |
Fat Bob
2018 was a revolutionary year for the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob lineup. The new model is built on an upgraded Softail platform, which significantly distinguishes it from «firstborn» 2008. Gone is the classic rear suspension with two outward shock absorbers. The new range uses only one compression-only shock absorber. Design changes made it possible to improve smoothness, energy consumption, and pilot comfort. The transformation also affected the engine. The 2018 Fat Bob lineup features a new 1745 cm³ or 1868 cm³ Milwaukee-Eight engine. The approximate power of such an engine is 93 hp.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 2023 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 2008 |
Fat Boy
Motorcycles of the Fat Boy line have become iconic in the range «Harley-Davidson» in the early 90s. And this is not surprising. After all, this is what Arnold Schwarzenegger drove in the film «Terminator 2». But it was not only the appearance of the bike on the screen that became the reason for its popularity. There is nothing superfluous in this model, only a symbiosis of bare metal and functionality.
Today Fat Boy is available in two versions:
- 1. With base 107 motor «Milwaukee-Eight».
- 2. With 114 inch «Big twin».
Motorcycle with 114-inch engine «Big Twin» capable of reaching maximum speed in just a few seconds. But its threshold is not too high when compared with other HD models. The bike refuses to go faster than 180 km/h.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 2023 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 2000 |
Heritage
The first representative of the Heritage series appeared back in 1986. But it was in 1990 that the model changed significantly and took on the look that is customary to see in new products in recent years. Heritage has its own unique style. The cruiser features elements of iconic American customs, in which the originality of the elements is combined with incredible power.
Models of recent years are available in two versions: with an engine «114» and «180». The Heritage motorcycle in the first version accelerates and decelerates equally well in the range from 80 to 180 km/h. With engine «180» the situation is different. The cruiser can reach more than 180 km/h, but the electronic system blocks this possibility, preventing it from exceeding the maximum permissible limit.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Heritage 2023 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Heritage 2000 |
Road King
The first Road King model rolled off the assembly line «Harley-Davidson» in 1993. While «tourist» almost completely replaced the Electra-Glide Sport series motorcycles. Until 2017, there were no radical changes to the Road King line. Models released after 2017 began to be equipped with a new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine with a displacement of 1745 cm³.
Today, the Road King model range is presented in three versions:
- basic;
- classic;
- special.
There are minor differences between the first two versions. The classic uses a different saddle, saddlebags and spoked wheels. The Special stands out from the background of the other two versions, and indeed the entire Road King lineup. It does not have chrome parts and uses rims. And the most interesting thing about them is the turbine pattern of the spokes, which «hug» rims
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Road King 2021 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Road King 2002 |
Sportster
In HD's assortment, Sportster motorcycles are the most budget-friendly and miniature bikes. The model belongs to the first line of motorcycles of the company, which has been produced since 1957. Both the look and the name Sportster indicate that «Harley-Davidson» intended to create a premium sports bike.
And judging by the popularity of the model, they succeeded. It was the Sportster that most often participated in various races. Motorcycles in this series performed equally well in the city, on the race track and off-road.
The Sportster motorcycle lineup is quite diverse. The differences between the bikes are in the body kit and designs. But all models «Sportsters» There is a common feature — a two-cylinder V-twin engine.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 2023 |
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 1993 |
Street Glide
Street Glide is a touring motorcycle that is perfect for travelers. The bike allows you not only to ride like a breeze, but also to listen to the impressive roar of the engine «Twin». And neither passengers nor a large amount of luggage taken with you will spoil the pleasure of driving.
The appearance of the Street Glide bike is also interesting. Harley-Davidson specialists did a good job on the style, but did not neglect the elements used in the old lines. Thus, motorcycles in this series have the company’s famous fairing, exhaust system and other elements that have made many HD representatives iconic.
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Street Glide 2022 | 
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Street Glide 2007 |
V-Rod
The V-Rod occupies a special place in the Harley-Davidson collection. This is a symbiosis of speed and pathos, a cross between a sportbike and a cruiser. The model was created for those motorcyclists who do not tolerate «plastic» and pose «embryo».
Motorcycles line V-Rod – broad-shouldered, muscular and brutal bikes created for respectable men. Moreover, with a height of at least 180 cm. Otherwise, sitting forward with your feet and hands will simply be uncomfortable.
Driving this car is not easy. V-Rod models have a wide rear «ice rink», are characterized by not the sharpest handling, tight brake and clutch levers, other «unconventional» elements that complicate management.
Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) 2015 | 
Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF) 2016 |
Motorcycle Harley-Davidson V-Rod (VRSCAW) 2008 |
