September 26, 2003 Happy birthday Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company celebrated its 100th anniversary in Milwaukee recently. Their bikes are usually called Harleys but Harley is long gone. Fourth generation Davidsons are still active in the Company. Bill Harley age 21 and Arthur Davidson age 20 started trying to motorize bicycles in 1901 and started in 1903 with the help of Arthur’s brother Walter to build motorcycles. They built three the first year but by 1907 a third Davidson brother joined the Company and they incorporated as Harley-Davidson. By 1909 they had 35 employees and produced 1100 motorcycles on the same site they are on today. They had their ups and downs over the years but outlasted over 20 other companies and the major Japanese influx in later years. In this, their centenary year their second quarter earnings were 1.22 billion (US) and they sold more bikes in that quarter than in any previous. 

Bob Michauville, left, and Murray Rose examine a detail on Murray's Harley

Part of the reason for their success is the size and power of their bikes, their design and remarkable advertising. Most of the Harleys are heavyweights with lots of weight and power and a heavyweight price tag of $30,000 new without upgrades. That created Harley owners groups (Hogs) where owners, their partners and friends can meet. The company has reunions every five years with the biggest last month. The Company now makes a less expensive sportster model that is becoming accepted mostly by younger people. 

The company makes a few less bikes than demand and people often wait to get one. Used models retain their value and antiques bring astronomical prices. Space does not allow for details of their 100-year history or some of their technical innovations. There are numerous books on the company. Look for At The Creation: Myth, Reality and the Origin of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle (www.atthecreation.com) or Harley-Davidson 1930-41: Revolutionary Motorcycles and Those Who Rode Them. The company has published "100 Years of Harley Davidson" by the grandson of Wm. Davidson, the company founder. 

Harleys Close to Home 

I became interested in the Harley-Davidson phenomenon when a neighbour Murray Rose bought one a year ago. Murray, who played fiddle in a band playing music for an upcoming movie has an Electra Glide Classic. I also discovered that his neighbour Bob Michauville has the same bike, and that they are members of the 60 member North Bay Harley Owners Group. I met with them recently for an interesting 2-hour visit including a high-speed trip to Trout Creek and back.

Murray Rose and Doug Mackey on Murray’s Electra Glide Classic Harley-Davidson.

Murray and his wife Jane recently spent a 2-week vacation on their Harley traveling 4800km and joining the 100th Anniversary Party in Milwaukee. Murray commented on the unbelievable reception, good food, music and displays. The 800 Harley Owners Groups had a special event where 37,000 Harleys were lined up on a hundred-acre lot as a part of their celebration. Murray showed me a copy of a Milwaukee Newspaper full of stories and photos. Murray and Jane traveled independently but large groups traveled specific routes, meeting other groups on the way. Five hundred Toronto bikers went to Buffalo and met a New England contingent before heading to Milwaukee. The "Ride Home" trip was similarly orchestrated and 200,000 bikers left Milwaukee.

Bob Michauville, his wife Sue, and the Roses have already logged considerable klicks on their bikes and will continue to do so. My ride confirmed a number of things Bob and Murray talked about before we took off for my ride. The bikes are big, beautiful, comfortable and noisy. Bob’s bike has a special muffler that turned some heads as we cruised down Powassan’s Main Street. The bikes have radios and cassette decks both of which are quite clear.

I also noticed that you are very aware of the weather and the sights and smells along the way. I thought that it would be difficult to talk but it was no problem at all. Bob and Murray both told me that they and their wives love the bikes and the way of life and have no regrets about their investment.

Logo from Teeshirt purchased at the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary in Milwaukee in August.	Joe Walker, Harley Davidson specialist, in his shop in Chisholm.

As a footnote to this story Murry and Bob pointed out that they are not the only Harly owners in Chisholm Township

Joe Walker, a Harley specialist, has recently set up his shop Powassan Motors in Chisholm. I visited Joe and saw his personal Harley bikes and several he is building or restoring for customers. Joe and his wife, like the Roses and the Michauvilles believe the Harley motto "To live is to ride- to ride is to live."