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HARLEY HISTORY–In 1903, the same year Henry Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company and the Wright brothers first flew, William Harley and his friends Arthur and Walter Davidson launched the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. They gave their bike a quality engine, so it could prove itself in races, but planned to manufacture it as a transport vehicle.
That same year the merchant, C. H. Lange, sold the first officially distributed Harley-Davidson in Chicago, a city given to “motoracing” and auto-touring. Another of the Davidson brothers, William, joined the company, which soon burst the seams of its first manufacturing center and, by 1906, had to move to larger quarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Old shot from Bob T.
From the beginning the Harley-Davidson motorcycle began to set records. In 1908, for example, the Harley achieved a record 188.234 miles per gallon. It captured seven first place finishes in 1910 motorcycle racing, and, by 1912 claimed 200 U.S. distributors. A sturdy Harley-Davidson Sidecar won the first annual Pike’s Peak race in 1916, and another bike claimed first in the 1922 Adelaide to Melbourne South Australia race.
Harley-Davidson Smashes Adelaide to Melbourne Record.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated
April 13, 1922.
Library of Congress General Collections
By the 1960s “the hog,” as it affectionately came to be called, scored seven consecutive victories at the Daytona 200. During the next decade the Harley took four consecutive wins at the AMA Grand National Championships and broke the world motorcycle record for land speed.
The Harley-Davidson came to be America’s most recognized motorcycle, but it was not the first. Howard Roper developed a coal powered steam-engine motorcycle in 1867 and Gottlieb Daimler, a German, developed a gas-powered motorcycle in 1885, which he attached to a wooden bike. That marked the moment in history when the dual development of a viable gas-powered engine and the modern bicycle collided.
Turn of the nineteenth century inventors who worked with both the engine and the bicycle chose to follow one of three paths. Daimler, for example, went on to develop automobiles, the Wright brothers left their bike shop to fly airplanes, and men like Harley and the Davidsons developed motorcycles. Their business competitors were other new start-up companies such as Excelsior, Indian, Pierce, Merkel, Schickel and Thor.
From the beginning a unique and characteristic sound endeared the Harley-Davidson to its owners. The Harley’s pistons connected to its crankshaft in a way that caused the motor to give two “pops” then a quiet pause as it hummed along the road. Yet around that constant sound, other things evolved and changed: a 45 degree V-twin motor was introduced in 1909, the “Bar and Shield” logo in 1910, and the teardrop-shaped gas tank in the 1920s. In the 1930’s an “eagle” design was placed on those tanks and the famous “Knucklehead” engine was introduced. At a time the Harley became widely used as both a police and a commercial vehicle, the company even manufactured sidecars and sported motorbikes built for two.
During World War I Harley-Davidson manufactured nearly 20,000 motorcycles for the U.S. government. And during World War II virtually all of the Harleys produced went towards the war effort. As nations such as England were forced to give up motorcycle production to favor production of tanks and planes, Harley’s motorcycles were also shipped overseas to U.S. allies.
Following WWII the Harley’s market share, as well as its myth, continued to grow. Its main U.S. competitor, Indian Motorcycle, ceased production in the 1950s. And veteran owners, new bikers, and even movies such as Easy Rider raised the Harley-Davidson to the status of American icon. Glamorous stars pictured with Harleys, from the early Mack Sennett Studio, to Jayne Mansfield, Elvis Presley, and Peter Fonda, certainly enhanced the company’s image.
For the most part, however, Harley-Davidsons, like all motorcycles, are enjoyed by individuals and groups who find biking a wonderful way to get where they are going. Who in on-the-road-America has not seen bikers tooling along the highway whether on a Fall outing, in a parade, making a statement, or raising money for charity? Indeed, the Harley-Davidson company prides itself on the money it has raised for charity during the last quarter century, with the help of its customers and dealers.
–from Rogue
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS–Tragic Loss of MRF President Buck Kittredge:It is with great sadness and tremendous loss that the Motorcycle RidersFoundation’s Board of Directors reports the untimely death of MRF Presidentand friend Nathan “Buck” Kittredge. Buck’s life was taken just before 7:00p.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2003 in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident lessthan 10 miles from his home in Wisconsin. The exact cause of the accidentremains unknown. Buck was 56 years old and leaves behind his beloved wifeCarolyn and his two sons Jesse and Travis, as well as a worldwide family ofmotorcyclists’ rights activists with whom he had served for many years.
Tom Wyld, MRF Vice President of Government Relations, echoed the sentimentsof the entire motorcyclists’ rights community upon hearing the tragic news.”We are all numb, grief-stricken and in utter disbelief at this unfathomableloss, and our hearts are one with Carolyn and the rest of the Kittredgefamily. We will carry on, as Buck would have us do, guided by thiswonderful man’s spirit and his unflagging devotion to his family, to hiscause, and to each and every one of us.”
Visitation and a memorial service were held today for Buck on Thursday, April24 at Jones Funeral Home, 107 Franklin Street, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin54154, (920)848-2222. Visitation hours will be from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. withthe memorial service beginning at 7:00 p.m. There will be an openmicrophone remembrances period immediately following the memorial serviceduring which Buck’s friends and family will be given the opportunity toshare their tributes and memories. In lieu of flowers, the MRF asks thatyou please forward contributions to the Buck Kittredge Memorial Fund, c/oWells Fargo Bank, 225 E. Central Avenue, Oconto Falls, WI 54154.
Since 1966, Buck had ridden his various motorcycles through 49 states fromhis home base in Wisconsin. He first became involved with motorcyclists’rights when he became a life member of the American MotorcyclistAssociation. He was heavily involved with ABATE of Wisconsin starting in1985, served as Executive Director of ABATE of Wisconsin from 1994-2000, andwas well known for his lobbying efforts for motorcyclists’ rights and safetyin Washington DC beginning in 1991.
“Buck and I started in bikers’ rights together almost eighteen years ago,”said Ed Williams, the current Executive Director of ABATE of Wisconsin. “Atthat time, neither of us had any idea how far it would take us. There is noway I can express in words how much Buck will be missed. I promise you, myfriend we will not let you down. We will finish all that you started and wewill continue to fight for our right to ride free.”
Buck began his service on the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Board ofDirectors as Supporting State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization BoardMember in 1995 when Mark Buckner was MRF President. “The Motorcycle RidersFoundation, and all of biker’s rights, has lost a great leader,” saidBuckner. “Buck was a good friend and a better man. I’ll miss him dearly.Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carolyn and the Kittredge family.”
Buck served two years as Vice President before taking over as MRF Presidentat the Meeting of the Minds in Lansing, Michigan last September. MRF VicePresident Chuc Coulter has stepped in as Interim President as theorganization continues to advance the hard work and dedication of Buck andmany others to preserve the rights and freedoms of street motorcyclistsnationwide.
Later
Hawk
ICQ 34668186
AOL SoLRHawk
THE PEASHOOTER HUNT CONTINUES–About the Peashooter, you couldride one to Sturgis or the 100th. Thought I’d jab you forthinking your too big for everything. The only PeashooterI know of is at Hutchins Harley in Yucca. I don’t think they’dsell it. But who know’s, the economy in the desert is reallybad right now due to the Marines being out from 29 Palms.Hutchins bought it for $10 from a wino years ago when theywere located in L.A.
–CK
GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN IRAQ– (Clockwise from lower left) 1stLt Alison, Capts Heather and Waynetta, andSenior Airman Lyndi [Last names withheld for operational security.], allfrom the 376th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, flew an all-femaleKC-135 Stratotanker air refueling mission over Afghanistan on Jan. 31.
Notice they are all blondes. This should throw a lot of the blonde jokesout the window. This item also counters the thought about women typicallynot working well together. Let this put that one away as well!
In one of her songs, country singer Shania Twain croons about all thethings women do these days-they are judges, politicians, doctors andsoldiers, to name a few. Not mentioned in the song, but occurring morefrequently as the global War on terrorism continues, is something else:female fliers in combat missions over Afghanistan. Early on Jan 31, a KC-135Stratotanker took off from Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, carrying more than180,000 pounds of fuel and an all-female crew — both pilots, a navigatorand a boom operator. The event marked the first all-female crew to fly anair refueling Mission into Afghanistan from Ganci.
“We’ve been reallylucky,” said 1st Lt Alison, the navigator on board. “You don’t always deploywith a lot of women. The fact that we have four women on this deployment,and the fact that we make up a crew is amazing.”
The women, including the other pilot, Capt Heather, and the boom operator,Senior Airman Lyndi, are all assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron atRobins Air Force Base, Ga. They have been deployed here since Dec 9. Onceinside the tanker, the women began their pre-flight and take-off duties withan ease borne of plenty of experience and skill. Most of them have deployedbefore, to places like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iceland and Thailand. Betweenthe four of them, they total almost 4,000 flying hours in the KC-135. “It’s awesome knowing that I’m having a direct impact on the mission,”said Lyndi on her 17th combat mission over Afghanistan. “The fighterscouldn’t put bombs on target without gas, and I’m the one who gets it tothem,” she said. More than 50,000 combat missions have been flown insupport of Operation Enduring Freedom. In all, Lyndi refueled 10 EuropeanF-16s during the flight, off-loading 63,000 pounds of fuel. “I’maccomplishing something with my Air Force career,” said Alison.
This isespecially true in the case of OEF, an operation that more than 1,800 womensupport, according to the public affairs office at Central Air Forces, theair component of U.S. Central Command. “I’ve always thought the greatestthing I could do with my life was to serve my country and be willing to diefor it — for my family, my neighbors, people I don’t even know,” Waynettasaid. “Now, we’re here supporting troops in Afghanistan who are defendingour freedom and way of life.” Basking in the early morning sunlight, thetanker headed back to Ganci.
As the snow-capped mountains poked out abovethe clouds, the women reflected on the significance of the flight. “All wewanted was to fly together,” said Lyndi. “I’m so excited we got to do it.””We believe in equality,” Waynetta said. “But, the fact of the matter is,we’re still girls and we’re doing something our grandmothers couldn’t do.
–from Bob T.
OOPS! A BLONDE JOKE– A blonde bought a new Lexus, and returned the next day, complaining that theradio didn’t work.
The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated. “Watch this!” hesaid,”Nelson!” The radio replied, “Ricky or Willie?” “Willie!” he continuedand “On The Road Again” came from the speakers.
She drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time she’d say,”Beethoven”, she’d get beautiful classical music, and if she said, “Beatles!”she’d get one of theirs.
One day, another driver ran a red light and nearly creamed her new car, butshe swerved in time to avoid him.
“ASSHOLE!” she yelled, The French National Anthem began to play.
–from Bob T.
GUNNY TIDBIT–WEBSTER, N.Y.: American Motorcycle Corporation has signed a letter of intent to purchase Royal Ryder Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, Inc., of Hudson, Florida. Another Harley clone starting up. Hope they make it, but history tells us a different story. I remember Titan and some others who aren’t on the scene now. The EPA, with their ever-tightening noose around the neck of the motorcycle industry, probably had something to do with it too.
MINNEAPOLIS: Norton Motorcycle Company has announced that it has changed its name to the Viper Motorcycle Company, and Viper has released all trademark rights to the Norton brand. Merch Performance Inc, is to supply engines for the new motorcycle. According to their new CEO, “The initial response to our first model, the Viper Diablo Power Cruiser, has greatly exceeded our expectations.” The goal for Viper Motorcycle Company is to be a full-line manufacturer of high-end motorcycles.
We just launched the new Gunny Sack from A.I.M. These are two news tidbits from his report. Check out all the news in the Bikers’ Rights Department of Bikernet.
The Primedia / MotoMaster USA SuperMotard National Championship Series featuring The Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show’s FastDates.com National sponsored by Russ Brown–Los Angeles, CA, March 10th: Two of America leading supermoto race producers, SuperBikers2 and Moto-Master USA have teamed up produce the 2003 Primedia US SuperMotard National Championship Series, an exciting new 8 round series with the Primedia Action Sports Group and its magazines Sport Rider and Dirt Rider as Series title sponsor. With the Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show, the biggest streetbike consumer Show in America, hosting the Championship’s showcase Los Angeles National round in sponsored by motorcycle legal advocate RussBrown.com, with the Show and the Races taking place at the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach, CA, the weekend of July 19-20th, 2003.
The SuperMotard National Championship kicked off in March at Phoenix Bike Fest, and it will end with the crowning of champions in 2 different classes in October. Headlining the series will be the Open Supermoto Extreme class featuring the open displacement, big bore thumpers that have made this sport what it is known for today. The equally impressive 450X class will feature a 450cc displacement limit that will showcase the latest machines from many manufacturers. SuperMotard USA, SuperMoto USA, Mile High Motard, and SuperBikers2, LLC will hold regional races to run as support classes in conjunction with national event for their host weekend.
Major National Championship rounds are being showcased at major events including the PhoenixBike Fest on March 28-30th and the Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show weekend on July19-20 to bring supermoto racing to the general public, as well as motorsports enthusiasts of all kinds..
“We are really excited to have the Primedia US SuperMotard National Championship Series joinus this year as just one more exciting feature at The Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show, commented Show producer Jim Gianatsis of Gianatsis Design Associates, also producers of the popular FastDates.com Calendars and Website.
BREAK OUT THE WHISKEY–It’s time to celebrate the completion of the news, a good running motorcycle and a woman I love who attacks me in the middle of the day. The sun is shinning, we have whiskey and we’re not being bombed. Couldn’t be much better.
If you’re heading to Laughlin, I hope the weather is clear, the sun warm on your back, smooth roads and women waiting. What could be better.
Ride Forever, Bandit
Check out Tahiti 2003 – Ride to Paradise Page 1
