Well, yes, another motorcycle museum. The South Texas Motorcycle Museum is located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. But our favorite is the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina where our friend Andy Norris works. This museum is only one room but packed with enough motorcycles for the public to enjoy ~~ mostly Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles.
The following history of Harley-Davison motorcycles and the men who founded the company comes from the museum's Facebook page.
It's actually one Harley and three Davidsons, and it took all four of them working together to create a brand that would revolutionize transportation and America.
Quick Facts About Harley-Davidson’s History:
What year was Harley-Davidson founded: 1903
When was the first Harley-Davidson made: 1903
Where did Harley-Davidson start: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What is Harley-Davidson’s country of origin: United States
Who owns Harley-Davidson: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
How old are Harley-Davidson motorcycles: 2023 marks the 120th anniversary
When was Harley-Davidson officially founded?
Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, WI and officially incorporated in 1907, with Walter Davidson acting as the first president. Arthur Davidson became the first general sales manager and the secretary, while William Davidson was the first works manager. William Harley, meanwhile, became the chief engineer and treasurer.
Given the ratio of three Davidsons to one Harley, you may wonder why the company wasn't called Davidson-Harley. Since the original idea for the motorcycle came from William Harley, the gang thought it was only fair to have his name first.
Who were the founders of Harley-Davidson?
A common question is whether or not Harley-Davidson is a person. It’s actually four people.
William Harley was only a year older than Arthur Davidson. The two boys grew up just a couple of houses apart in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Such was the start of their lifelong friendship.
Both boys were enamored with bicycles. William even took a job at a Milwaukee-based bicycle factory when he was 15, rising from the rank of cycle fitter to drafter, which led him to work as a draftsman at the Barth Manufacturing Company. It was there that he designed his first internal combustion engine. It was based on the French de Dion-Bouton engine, which would go on to be used by many early motorcycle manufacturers.
Along with Arthur, another draftsman from Barth, and a friend whose father owned a lathe, William and his cohorts would spend the next several years working on a proto motorcycle in their spare time. The prototype fizzled out, but it proved invaluable because it made William and Arthur realize that they needed a machinist.
The two reached out to Arthur's older brother Walter, who was living in Parsons, Kansas, at the time. Walter arrived expecting to see a motorcycle but instead was greeted by an unfinished mess. But in that mess, Walter saw a dream, so he decided to stay in Milwaukee to make William and Arthur's dream a reality.
Soon, another mechanic, William Davidson, Arthur's eldest brother, joined the trio. By 1904, a second prototype was completed. It was the first-ever Harley-Davidson® motorcycle to participate in a motorcycle race. And while it didn't win, the team was already off and running to make motorcycle history!
William Harley
William was the first chief engineer and treasurer of Harley-Davidson. The idea for the motorcycle was his, although he certainly couldn't have done it without the Davidson brothers.
Early Life
Engineering ran in the Harley family. William Harley Sr. was a railway engineer who emigrated to the United States in 1860 from England along with his wife, Mary Smith. William Jr. was born 20 years later in 1880.
When not working on prototypes of the original motorcycle, Harley was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which he earned in 1907.
Career
Harley first began tinkering with the idea of a motorcycle while working at Barth Manufacturing Company. Throughout the years, he would build on the successes of his previous models. When the first models were completed in 1903 with a buckle crank, Harley was already trying to figure out how to create a two-cylinder engine, which he did by 1909.
Harley would remain the company's chief engineer and treasurer until his death. He was an indispensable facet of the company's success and crucial in developing and introducing new bikes. An avid racer, he also had the pleasure of testing his latest creations.
Personal Life
In 1910, Harley married Anna Jachthuber, with whom he had three children: Ann Mary, William J., and John.
He died of heart failure on September 18, 1943; he was 62.
Legacy
Harley was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2003, a Harley-Davidson statue was unveiled in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, where Harley's father had been born.
Arthur Davidson
Arthur was the youngest Davidson brother, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 11, 1881.
Early Life
Arthur developed a friendship with Walter Harley as a child. The two would fish together and shared an interest in biking.
Career
Arthur Davidson was the first general sales manager and secretary of Harley-Davidson. Davidson successfully got the USPS, police departments, and the military to use Harley-Davidson® bikes. He also started a Harley-Davidson® service school responsible for training qualified mechanics.
Davidson saw the value in a coalition of industry insiders and riders working toward the common end of advancing motorcycling. Davidson was inspired to align himself closely with and support the American Motorcyclist Association.
Personal Life
At 69, Davidson was killed in a car crash just three miles south of his home. The accident claimed the lives of Davidson's wife, Clara, and their friends Dorothy and Donald Jeffery. The Davidsons were survived by their three children, Margaret, Arthur Jr., and James Davidson.
Legacy
Arthur was not only instrumental in building the first Harley-Davidson® bikes and founding the company, he was mostly responsible for enshrining the brand's place in American history and popular culture.
William Davidson
William "Bill" Davidson was born in Milwaukee, along with his brothers Arthur and Walter.
Early Life
Bill quit his job with the Milwaukee Road railroad to join the crew that would soon become Harley-Davidson. It was quite the risk considering how well paying his job was!
Career
Once the original foursome incorporated Harley-Davidson, Bill became the works manager. His responsibilities were to buy the presses and other tools necessary for the manufacturing process.
Throughout his tenure, Bill would keep in close contact with factory employees. They were his eyes on the ground, keeping him abreast of everything necessary to keep the factory running smoothly.
Personal Life
Bill died at the age of 66 on April 21, 1937. His son William G. Davidson would go on to serve as President of Harley-Davidson, as would Bill's grandson John.
Legacy
In addition to his position within the company, Bill was known for his charity and generosity. During the Christmas season, he would make care packages for strangers. He was also known for his amiable disposition, which extended to everyone from machinists to politicians.
Walter Davidson
Early Life
As a child, Walter raced and repaired bikes. As a teen, he taught himself how to be an electrician and was even known to make his own batteries.
Career
After being called to Milwaukee from Kansas to work on the first motorcycle, Walter became an indispensable part of what would eventually become Harley-Davidson. He joined his brother Arthur and William Harley in finishing the first batch of bikes sold to the public. Walter, it turned out, was responsible for building the first bike.
When Harley-Davidson was incorporated in 1907, Walter became the first President and General Manager. He spent the rest of his life working for Harley-Davidson including delivering speeches to stockholders.
Walter also became a motorcycle enthusiast and won several races as a rider, including the 1908 Federation of American Motorcyclists endurance run in the Catskill Mountains. It was an accomplishment that provided great press for the motorcycle company!
Personal Life
Walter married his wife Emma in 1910. Together they raised three sons: Gordon, Walter Jr., and Robert. Walter died on February 7, 1942, while still President of Harley-Davidson.
Legacy
To this day, no one has been President or CEO of Harley-Davidson for as long as Walter.
Where was the first Harley factory?
The first Harley-Davidson factory was a wooden shed in the Davidson's backyard. The current headquarters stands in the same location - in a more prominent building.
Who developed the two-cylinder engine innovation?
The first three motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson in 1903 all had a buckle crank, a single-cylinder engine, pedals, and a leather drive belt. You would pedal until enough engine compression was built up, at which point the engine took over.
Harley, however, wanted to take bikes to the next level, which meant a two-cylinder engine. Perfected by 1909, the engine, called a V-Twin, could reach speeds as high as 60 mph.
With such a feat, Harley-Davidson's production rose to 3,200 machines by 1910.
How was the Harley-Davidson culture cultivated?
To stir up the press, Harley-Davidson sponsored "The Wrecking Crew," a racing team known for their exhilarating performances. Today it is commonplace for a motorcycle company to sponsor a team, but when Harley-Davidson did it, the move was revolutionary.
The plan was a success, generating plenty of news and sales. Wisely, the company re-invested most of its profits into improving their products.
Arthur Davidson saw opportunity wherever he looked. By 1914 he had the USPS using 4,800 bikes to deliver mail. Soon, the military was using Harley® motorcycles as well. By the 1950s, police departments nationwide were also using a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.
Many motorcycle cops would use boots, breaches, and saddlebags, which achieved a "Wild West" look which captured the imagination of young boys and the general public.
Seeing a further opportunity, Walter Davidson started marketing the Harley-Davidson® brand using clothing and accessories.
Since then, the company has expanded into motorcycle insurance, a riding academy (for both new and skilled riders), credit cards, and more.
Why are Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Called HOGs?
There is no official link to where the “HOG” moniker originates from. However, more than 100 years ago, a member of the Harley-Davidson racing team named Ray Weishaar, shared a Coke with a piglet.
It would become one of the most recognized photos of Harley-Davidson history, and a key moment in the brand’s lore.
Almost nothing is said about the piglet after the race, but the two would later be reflected as the source of the “Hog” moniker.
Who owns Harley-Davidson today?
Today, Harley-Davidson is a publicly-traded company with many shareholders, meaning it is not owned by one single corporation.
Wrapping up
Harley-Davidson was born out of boyhood friendship and grew into a globally recognized brand that changed the face of transportation and American culture. It shows you that great things are possible with a dream, a team, and hard work.
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| Taking pictures |
Well, if you got through the above history, let's head into the museum and see some of the motorcycles ~~
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| Super Stretch T-Rex Rigid |
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| 2003 FLHR Road King Cruiser |
The 100th Anniversary Edition Road King Cruiser included a V-type, two cylinder, four stroke engine. The engine was also carbureted and has an air cooling system.
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| 1917 Harley Davidson J |
The J Model was the signature model for Harley during this time. It stood out from the competition because it did not feature a four-cylinder engine. Instead it had an F-head engine that combined cylinder and the head into a single piece. It featured both good horsepower without extraneous weight, provided the owner ensured a proper maintenance schedule. In 1917, two colors used were grey and olive drab. The grey was for earlier production models; the olive drab came later.
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| 1928 JDH Twin Cam |
The JDH may have been a variation on the already existing J line, but it was an impressive one that featured a slimmer and lower chassis with two-cam power to give a high-performance edge. This example also has racing heads included. At the time it was the fastest production motorcycle reaching speeds of 100 mph; very few are left in the world.
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| 1932 VL Flathead |
To power this machine this model had a side-valve V-twin engine of 73.7 cubic inches with 30 hp. During this year Harley introduced a variety of new colors, including Delft Blue and Turquoise.
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| 1970 Low Rider Chopper |
A chopper is a motorcycle that gets its name through the process in which it is built. Through the "chopping," or cutting of frames, owners get to transform their bikes into personal statements. A common ingredient for the process is a Harley-Davidson, either for their iconic status, their availability, or both. Popular customizations including the extending of the front rake, the removal of all "unnecessary" parts (windshields and saddlebags), and shortened rear fenders.
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| 1924 H-D with Sidecar |
Harley-Davidson incorporated and produced the sidecar for the first time with its motorcycles in 1926. This example showcases the versatility of the motorcycle by offering a look at the combination of a motorcycle and a sidecar of varying years. While sidecars were popular, the advent of affordable automobiles priced even lower than motorcycles with sidecars, proved to be the end of the standard included sidecar.
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| 1941 EL with Sidecar |
This was the first year Harley-Davidson decided to produce a 74 cubic inch Knucklehead engine. It was the pinnacle of technological achievement for Pre-War motorcycles. It remained the production model of Harley-Davidson during 1946 and 1947 when civilian demands grew with the scarcity of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which were being used overseas by the armed forces.
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| Captain America Chopper Panhead (replica) |
Featured in the 1969 movie "Easy Rider," this motorcycle became an icon and a symbol for the counter-culture of America. This replica is a modified Harley-Davidson, identical to the original movie motorcycle, of which only two were produced. The "ape-hanger" handlebars, named due to the wide and high level in relation to the rider, were mounted on Wide-Glide front ends.
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| 1955 Model F |
This is the end of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles that I took pictures of. The next section are miscellaneous brand motorcycles, such as West Coast Chopper, Henderson, and Ace.
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| 2004 West Coast Chopper |
West Coast Choppers deal strictly with the customization of existing motorcycles, specifically with the end resulting in a chopper. The brand is sought after to the extent that the waiting list to order a West Coast Chopper can be at least a year. Notable celebrities seek to own a West Coast Chopper, which in addition to producing motorcycles, the brand also has a wide scope of merchandising, including t-shirts and hats.
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| 1931 Excelsior Henderson/Schwinn |
This model is representative of the last motorcycles the Henderson Company produced. It went out of business due to the effects of the Great Depression. Note that Schwinn is listed as a partner to Henderson. The famed bicycle company bought the Henderson Motorcycle Company in 1917. As a result of this merger, Excelsior bikes had great record-breaking success, including the first ever 100 mph average in a board-track sanctioned competition in Los Angeles.
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| 1925 Excelsior Super X Henderson |
This year saw the production of the first Super X model in the Henderson line. This machine featured the first 45 cubic inch engine. This model was imitated by other companies, such as Harley-Davidson and Indian. Due to this, competition was fierce, but ultimately this model came to dominate championship hill climb events.
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| 1931 Ace |
The Ace motorcycles were designed and engineered by William Henderson, designer of the Henderson Motorcycle Models. Ace brand used the F-head engine which used a combination of the engineering in flathead and overhead valve engines.
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| 1914 Henderson |
This model Henderson featured lighter pistons, two speeds, and adjustable seat springs. It should also be noted that the world was still in awe over the victorious 1912 circumnavigation of the globe by Carl Stearns Clancy ~~ he was riding a Henderson.
Founded in Detroit, Michigan, by brothers Tom and William Henderson in 1912, Henderson immediately stood out by doing something bold: building luxurious, long-distance cruisers powered by smooth, inline four-cylinder engines -- unheard of at the time when V-twins ruled.
Unlike most motorcycles of the era, Hendersons were fast, comfortable, refined and suited for everything from long touring rids to law enforcement duties. Riders looking for smooth power and serious road presence fell in love with them.
The Iconic Models:
Henderson K (1920) ~~ One of the first truly premium four-cylinder bikes of its time. With a ~1.3 liter engine, it delivered smooth torque and cruising ability that felt like the cutting edge of pre-war engineering. It even offered a reverse gear -- not a common feature back then -- especially useful with a sidecar attached.
Henderson DeLuxe (1922-28) ~~ A true legend. The DeLuxe wasn't just fast -- it blew past expectations for the 1920s. Capable of cruising at over 100 mph -- faster than many cars of the day -- it captured the hearts of riders and police forces alike. Its reputation for strength and speed made it a top choice for serious riders.
Henderson Streamliner (1930-31) ~~ A real show bike and art-deco icon. With its sleek bodywork and aero-inspired style -- a rarity in the era of exposed engines and bare metal -- the Streamliner pushed both performance and design forward.
What made Henderson unique?
Four-cylinder power -- At a time when most bikes were twins, Henderson's straight-four engines were smooth, high-revving and beautifully balanced.
Luxury touring -- These weren't cheap commuter bikes; they were built for serious riders who wanted comfort and performance.
Record-breaking heritage -- Hendersons got around; from transcontinental endurance runs to police road duty and speed records that made other manufacturers take notice.
Engineering innovation -- Features like large displacement four-cylinder layouts and advanced chassis design made Henersons real tools of the road for serious riders.
What happened to Henderson?
Despite its brilliance, the Great Depression put the brakes on the brand. In 1931, financial hardships forced owner Ignaz Schwinn (of Excelsior fame) to shut motorcycle production and focus back on bicycles. The original Henderson motorcycles disappeared from production, but their legend never faded.
There is no current production Henderson motorcycle brand today -- though the trademark passes through various hands, including a brief revival attempt in the 1990s and later purchase of the name by Bajaj in 2020, but nothing has hit the road yet.
Why Bikers still respect Henderson.
For true riders, Hendersons aren't just antique iron -- they are symbols of early American motorcycling daring, craftsmanship, and smooth power. A fully restored 1917 or 1924 machine isn't just a bike -- it's a rolling legend, proof that when riders pushed the limits a century ago, they did it with heart and steel.
Whether you're talking vintage cruising, museum shows, or gearhead chatter -- Henderson deserves a nod alongside the giants. These bikes weren't just ridden -- they were lived with. And that's a real biker culture.
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| 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T |
The entire family will find real pleasure with Whizzer ~~ no pedal-pushing, no parking problems, no crowded trains or buses. What a holiday! What fun!
The last section of the museum highlights the Indian motorcycle.
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| 1937 Indian Chief |
This year saw motorcycles that featured a gearshift level that was moved forward on the steering head. Also interesting is that the three main models, the Chief, the Scout, and the Four, were both fitted with interchangeable front and rear wheels.
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| 1913 Indian with Sidecar |
In 1913, Indian Motorcycles enjoyed their highest production of 32,000. This particular model features a 4 hp single cylinder engine. Notice the increased bracing for the luggage rack. Two colors were available ~~ red and royal blue. Red became the standard color in 1912, royal blue was an option.
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| 1913 Indian Board Track Racer |
This motorcycle was a racer. It revolved around the principle that less is more, as it was taken down to bare essentials to produce a faster race time of at least 100 mph. The throttle was either on or off, there were no brakes, no clutch, no transmission. Racing was more than just a competition of speed; it allowed companies to feature the reliability and modern features of the machine.
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| 1916 Indian Powerplus |
The Powerplus model was designed by Charles Franklin in 1916. As a result of using a 61 cubic inch, 42 degree V-twin engine, the Powerplus gave more power than previous designs as well as a quieter ride. The top speed for this particular bike is 60 mph.
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| 1938 Indian |
This was the first year of the Indian Fours. The Indian Four was generally the same build as previous models, but with a slight change. The cylinders were in pairs. This improved engine cooling. Also interesting to observe, this year and the next, 1939, saw the last production of the rigid-frame models. Less than 700 were built during this time, making these models extremely rare and highly collectible.
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| 1931 Indian Four |
The sleek Indian Four showed-off new lines with an updated design for the frame and tanks. Included in this design was the vertically oriented inlet manifold. This manifold would be switched to a horizontal design in 1933 only, offering distinction to the revered line. In 1934, the inlet manifold reverted back to this model.
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| 1953 Indian Chief |
This was the last year Indian produced motorcycles. The Indian marque was the first motorcycle manufacturer and proved to be a worthy opponent to the Harley-Davidson. The reliability of Indian products was legendary as evidenced by a past advertising slogan. "You can't wear out an Indian Scout, or its brother the Indian Chief. They are built like rocks, to take hard knocks. It's the Harleys that cause grief."
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