Want to see examples of the finest brands in the world? Stop by Headworks Booth 3545 at WEFTEC 2007 this year in San Diego. You’ll see not only the gold standard screening equipment of Headworks^® including our 2007 Innovative Technology Award winning X-Tractor ™, but also the gorgeous Sportster Nightster! 

The story of the Harley–Davidson Motorcycle Company (“HD”) is an interesting tale. In order to keep its position at the top, the Harley adopted the strategy of “the tendency of the times.” This strategy refers to the advantage of staying with Harley’s historically tried and true qualities while still advancing their bikes with new innovations. The Company is committed to improving the Harley product for each generation of buyers of the legendary motorcycles starting with the very first Indian motorcycle to today’s luxury touring bikes.

In Milwaukee in 1903, Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson developed a one-cylinder motorcycle, basically a motorized bicycle. To their astonishment someone bought it right away. (This very first Harley-Davidson then went on to be owned by four different people and was driven over 100,000 miles!) This first sale encouraged them to immediately begin building more. In 1905, they built a total of 11 motorcycles and by 1908 they had increased production to 154 for the year. 

The first Harley-Davidson motorbike ever built

Same motorbike as seen today

In 1910, the legendary “Bar and Shield” logo was born and placed on all subsequent motorcycles. The year 1912 saw further growth and construction began on a new six story factory. During the same year HD also became an exporter of their motorcycles with their first overseas sale in Japan.

Harley-Davidson’s famous logo

The 1920s saw changes in the appearance of the design of the motorcycles, which are more recognizable today. In 1928 the first twin-cam engine and front wheel brakes were made available. This modification enabled the motorcycle to reach speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour. The 1930’s and subsequent years saw record breaking and award winning Harley-Davidsons. In 1932, the third wheel Servi-Car design was introduced and would become a familiar commercial and police vehicle. In 1936, a milestone was reached when Harley-Davidson created the biggest motorcycle engine ever, with the 1340cc engine which would subsequently become their trademark.

The early 1950s proved tough for Harley with competition from Britain in the form of the Triumph motorcycle. However, in 1957 the Sportster was born and was the fastest Harley ever. Harley continued building motorcycles with the same technique, style and character as their very first bike, building on tried and tested tradition and reliability.

In the late 1960s Harley merged with AMF and saw a decrease in the quality of their product. As a result of this collaboration, the Superglide and SLCR Caféracer they produced proved unsuccessful. This led to Harley buying themselves out of the partnership. They launched the new Evolution motor in the early 1970s, which was very successful and launched the revival of the Harley-Davidson we know today.

1960s Superglide

In the 1980s Harley-Davidson obtained a place on the New York Stock Exchange for those interested in taking a financial stake in the company! In 1988, the Springer Softail was introduced and resulted in a new era for the company. The 1990s saw the launch of new product lines like the Fat Boy and the Dyna lines quickly caught on and brought about a whole new generation of HD buyers. And HD is still moving forward with innovations such as the recent introduction of the Sportster Nightster in 2007.

The 2007 Sportster Nightster

Harley has not only become an American icon but a global one as well.  Like HD, Headworks^® has upheld a similar perspective by maintaining the durability of its screens while continuously improving the product line with innovative technology. Both HD and Headworks^® Inc. continue to produce the meanest, toughest brands in the industry while advancing their respective technologies year upon year.