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The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle History 

Milwaukee 1903 Harley Davidson is founded.

Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson had developed the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

In 1908, they produced 154 motorcycles in a wooden barn build by Davidson's father.

By 1909, they introduced the 45-degree V-Twin engine.

In 1910 the legendary "Bar and Shield" logo was placed on the motorcycle.

in 1912 the Harley-Davidson Company began construction on a new factory and exported to Japan. There were now 200 dealerships in the United States.

in 1914 A sidecar was added to the Harley-Davidson.  In 1915 Harley-Davdison introduced the three-speed sliding-gear transmission.  

By 1917 Harley-Davidson had become the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

In 1932, the three-wheel Servi-Car was introduced. The "Eagle" started to appear on all Harley-Davidson gas tanks.

Then in 1937, William A. Davidson dies. soon after in 1942 Walter Davidson dies then finally in 1943 Bill Harley dies.  

During the 1940's, Harley-Davidson sent its motorcycles overseas to aid the war effort and Harley-Davidson went on to receive the Army-Navy "E" award.

In 1965, George Roeder, on a modified Harley-Davidson Sprint, sets a world land speed record of 177.225 m.p.h. for 250cc motorcycles .

In 1969, Harley-Davidson merged with the American Machine and Fondry Company. Eventually, Harley Davidson bought itself out.

In 1987, Harley-Davidson obtains a place on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1993, the "90th Anniversary" homecoming was celebtrated.
 

The Triumph Motorcycle History

In 1884, S. Bettmann & Co. Import Export Agency of London began selling bicycles.

By 1886 the name Bettmann had been replaced with the name Triumph. The company is called "The Triumph Cycle Company".

In 1888, Triumph aquire a factory in Coventry to manufacture its own bicycles. By 1902 the first Triumph motorcycle is manufactured. Then by 1905 the first all-Triumph is produced. It is also the first all British motorcycle. It goes on the market for 45 pounds.

Production had reached up to 3,000 per annum by 1909. By 1914 Triumph was manufacturing 4,000 unites.  

Fron 1915 to 1918, Triumph manufacturing was focused on the war effort. About 30,000 Model H bikes were supplied to the Allied Forces.

In 1920 an enlarged version of the Junior is built under license in Germany and the USA.

By 1925 Triumph employs over 3,000 people and is manufacturing up to 30,000 units a year.

In 1937 the 500cc Speed Twins is introducd and sells at 75 pounds sterling.

After the war, Civilian manufacturing resumes at Meriden. In 1948 Triumph releases its first trail bike.

Triumph celebrates its 21st birthday at the Hotel Leofric in Coventry in 1957.

By 1967 28,700 Triumphs are sold in the USA. To commemorate Queen Elizabeths 25 years on the Throne, the limited edition Silver Jubilee T140V is released.

In 1984 the Meriden factory is torn down. Then by 1990, six new Triumph models are shown in the Cologne Motor Cycle Show. In 1994 Triumph has re-entered the competition ring. In 1996 work starts on the second Triumph factory.
 

The Yamaha Motorcycle History 

Yamaha: Founded by Torakusu Yamaha in 1888 originally as Yamaha Musical Instrument Company. After the war, Yamaha expanded into Motorcycles. The first, in 1954 was the 125cc, single cylinder two-stroke YA-1 Motorcycle.

The Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. was officially founded on July 1, 1955. It had 274 employees, and manufactured around 200 units per month.

By 1957, Yamaha had started production of the YD1 model. Yamaha became the first Japanese maker to enter the international race arena in 1958.

In 1968, Yamaha released the DT-1, an off-road motorcycle.

In 1982, the Number 20 million Motorcycle rolled off the production line.
 

The Honda Motorcycle History. 

In 1946, Soichiro Honda founds the Honda Technical Research Insitute in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Then by 1947, Honda has manufactured the A-type bicycle engine.

In 1949, Honda manufactures the 98cc, 2-cycle Dream.

In 1960, Honda will start motorcycle production at its Suzuki factory. Then in 1963, American Honda launches the "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" advertisment.

In 1982, Honda opens its "Honda of America" Manufacturing.

In 1991, the founder of Honda: "Soichiro Honda", passes away.
 

The Kawasaki Motorcycle History

Kawasaki are the smallest of the Big-4 motorcycle manufactures. In 1963, Meguro merged with Kawasaki.

Kawasaki first exported their motorcycles to the USA in 1965. In 1972, Kawasaki released the Z1 to the USA market.

The Kawasaki racing colour is green.
 

The Ducati Motorcycle History

The Ducati Family together with investors founded the Society Radio Brevetti Ducati in Bologna.

Originally they manufactured industrial components for radio transmissions.

By 1946, Ducati introduced a 4-stroke 48cc clip-on engine for bicycles.

And in 1952, the futuristic Cruiser 175cc, with automatic transmission and electric starter.

Then in 1983 Ducati was purchased by Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni. In 1996, Ducati was purchased by the Texas Pacific Group

The Aprilia Motorcyle History

Aprilia is the founder of Ivano Beggio.

The first Aprilia motorcycles were hand made towards the end of the 1960s.

The first Aprilia four-stroke, the "ETX 350", was launched in 1985.

Aprilia finally won its first world championship title in 1992. It was the first of many.

In 1996, the Leonardo maxi-scooter was launched. Aprilia has become Europe's second largest producer of motorcycles and scooters.
 

The BSA Motorcycle History

BSA England was originally a small arms company and built weapons till around 1910,
However, in 1903 BSA produced an experimental 233cc motorcycle. 

 At this time they moved into motorcycle production. BSA Models included: Firebird, Gold Star, Royal Star, Thunderbolt, Rocket and Victor.

In the late 1930`s they purchased the Sunbeam.  In 1944, they purchased Ariel. and  BSA went on to purchase Triumph, which eventually merged with Norton - Villiers.
 

The Enfield Motorcycle History

The Royal Enfield was founded in the United Kingdom under the name "Enfield Cycle Company".

Royal Enfield manufactured their first motorcycle in 1900. In 1910, they manufactured a 425cc V-twin (2.25 hp).

Royal Enfield made bikes for the British Army during World War 2.

In the 1930`s, a four-valve, single-cylinder was introduced, and called the "Bullet".

Then between 1956 and 1960, the Bullet was released in several models.

From 1955 to 1959, Royal Enfield sold bikes in the U.S. under the Indian name.

The U.K. company was sold in 1962 and by 1967 the Redditch factory was closed. Royal Enfield closed in 1970.

Enfield India however continued to manufacture Bullets. The Enfield factory, located in India, is owned by Eicher Limited.
 

The Gilera Motorcycle History

Gilera was founded in Italy in 1909, by Giuseppe Gilera.

Gilera`s first bike was a 317cc overhead-valve engine which had a belt drive.

In 1935 Gilera, acquired the rights to the Rondine four cylinder engine.

The Piaggio Group bought Gilera in 1969.

Then in 1993, Piaggio closed the Gilera factory at Arcore.

However, they still make motorcycles and scooters using the Gilera badge.
 

The Moto Guzzi Motorcycle History 

Founded in 1921 at Mandello del Lario, Italy.

The Eagle Logo was a tribute to Giovanni Ravelli.

Guzzi made its racing debut in May, 1921.

Moto Guzzi was acquired by SEIMM.

The Guzzi V7, launched in 1967.

The De Tomaso Inc. group took over Guzzi in 1973.

Moto Guzzi is now a part of the Aprilia group.

 

The Piaggio Motorcycle History 

Piaggio was founded by Rinaldo Piaggio, in Genoa, Italy, in 1884.

Piaggio started off by manufacturing: luxury ship fittings, coaches, truck bodies and trains.

After the War, Piaggio moved into scooter production, manufacturing the now World Famous "Vespa".

During the 1950`s, Vespa was manufactured around in Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

Over 16 million Vespa have been manufactured. The Piaggio Museum opened in 2000.