Exhibits from 105 years of Harley-Davidson Heritage and styling open to the public
Harley-Davidson’s Museum open’s its doors next month to reveal one of the most impressive Motorcycle archive collections available the world over. Designed as a home to its Heritage, the Museum will pay tribute to the many divisions of motorcycling Harley-Davidson has been involved in over its 105 year history. Through a number of Experience, Thematic and Focus galleries and together with personalised ‘Living the Legend’ rivets which will be displayed around the grounds, riders and enthusiasts can become part of the rich history of the world’s most iconic Motorcycle Company.
In a decision taken by the early leaders, one motorcycle was saved from each assembly line – presumably with the fore thought that such a museum might someday exist. Willie G. Davidson, senior vice president and chief styling officer and great grandson of one of the founding Davidson brothers, has worked hard to bring this project to fruition. Yesterday, at the site, Willie G presented his personal gift to the Harley-Davidson Museum, unveiling a 20 foot bronze statue of a Hill Climber which pays tribute to motorcycle competition and enthusiast culture.
Willie G. Davison gifting ceremony
During the gifting, Willie G. commented: “The Harley-Davidson Museum means so much to me and my family that we wanted to leave something permanent here as a gift. We chose the hill climber as a subject because it portrays the thrill and adventure of the sport and because of the important role motorcycle competition played in developing enthusiast culture.”
The Museum started life on the 1st June 2006, when building work began. Two years on the Museum is finally at its completion and is looking forward to welcoming its first visitors on the 12th July. Located in the Company’s hometown of Milwaukee, the Museum houses over 450 motorcycles, a further 8,000 artifacts and 15,000 photographic exhibits and three types of galleries. Focus galleries will exhibit company history and business growth features, Experience galleries such as the ‘Engine Wall’ will display engines from early day to present and which form part of an interactive hanging gallery, and Thematic galleries which reveal further subsections of Harley-Davidson product development such as ‘Design and styling’,
‘Engine lab’, ‘Enthusiast culture’ and ‘Customisation and Personalisation’.
Stacey Schiesl, Museum Director explains: “We’ve taken exhibits from the extensive Harley-Davidson archive collection, private collector donations and enthusiasts in an attempt to provide visitors with a complete H-D Motorcycle experience. We want every person who visits this Museum to feel the freedom, camaraderie and pride they feel every time they start up their motorcycles.”
Serial Number 1 Motorcycle
The journey starts with the Serial Number one bike from 1903. This is the oldest Harley-Davidson motorcycle known in existence and was produced by the founders in the original 10’x15’ shed. So-called, because some of the parts which can be seen feature the number 1 stamp issued at the time of production to denote they were cast from the first moulds.
Further along in the 105 year product evolution exhibition includes the first “shovelhead” engine which was introduced by Harley-Davidson in 1966 to replace the previous Panhead on the Electra Glide. Later on in 1971, the first ever Cruiser model was born; showcased by the FX 1200 Super Glide which is commonly known to have combined the sporty front end with the frame and powertrain of the FL series.
Moving on from the chronological exhibition, visitors can absorb the impressive sight of the life size replica of a 1920’s board track built specifically for the Museum. Hugely popular in the 1900s, riders raced these tracks at speeds of up to120mph with no brakes and total oil loss systems which made for very slippery racing and earning its claim as an extreme sport of its time. Board track racing established the company’s racing heritage with the infamous Wrecking crew – a fearless team who unwittingly provided the inspiration for contemporary models such as the XR 1200.
Flat track racer
The Wrecking Crew
Throughout the years, Customization has continued to be Harley-Davidson’s jewel in the crown. With more than 8,000 customizations on offer to customers today it was only fitting for Harley-Davidson to dedicate a large part of the Museum to this theme.
“King Kong”, the most customized bike in the world has been donated to the Museum by its owner’s grandchildren. The bike, originally owned by Felix Predko, is 13-foot long and weighs in at 1000lbs. Powered by two in-line engines, four fishtail straight exhaust pipes and dual handlebars this is a sight for sore eyes and no doubt will present itself as a benchmark to more than one of the likely visitors.
Some of the most famous Harley-Davidson stories have been born out of their Hollywood appearances and celebrity owners, such as Evil Keneivil. Indeed, Harley-Davidson features in some of the coolest moments in cinematic history and Easy Rider is one that springs to mind for both riders and non-riders the world over. However, as neither of the two motorcycles produced for the making of the film actually made it ‘home’ again, Peter Fonda helped create an exact replica for the Museum in celebration of its 30th year anniversary.
Evel Knievil Motorcycle
Easy Rider Motorcycle
Most recently five Springer Softails were issued to the film set of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which opened in cinema’s just last month. Two of these bikes are currently making their way back to Milwaukee to become part of the wider exhibition and will be on show by the time of the Museum’s official opening on the 12th July.
The Museum collection is unique because it tells the personal stories of those who have lived the Harley-Davidson life. It does this through not just the exhibits of the models, but also the photo’s, film footage, authentic apparel and documentation.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the exhibit of one of the highest profile celebrity owners; Elvis Presley.
His 1956 model KL is on display alongside an original photograph with his motorcycle and the loan agreement paperwork; Completed just days before he became famous and where he listed his occupation as a ‘self employed entertainer’.
Elvis Presley, 1956 Model KL
These personal stories run throughout the Museum and Harley-Davidson’s culture of customization is part of the reason for ‘Living the Legend’ rivets. Rivets were selected to represent the strong bond that enthusiasts have with the company and thus allowing visitors to express their connection to Harley-Davidson. Anyone can purchase and customize their own rivet which will then be displayed on the walls in the grounds of the Museum.
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