100 Years Ago: Harley-Davidson Manufacturing in 1918
Thus, every American motorcycle was prepared for rough duty. And every manufacturer was prepared to do what it took to supply the military, as it meant good business…if the price was right. Apparently the military quartermasters weren’t willing to give carte blanche for extravagant military deals in WWI – unlike scandalous $5000 hammers today! The military was looking for good value from manufacturers, so squeezed them a bit on the price. As well, the Big 3 were competing against each other for contracts, so needed to keep prices in line.
Ultimately it was a matter of survival for each company to secure a contract for military motorcycles, whether large or small. The boys at Harley-Davidson, though, came up with a more attractive deal than Indian or Excelsior, which included free motorcycle service training schools for military mechanics, among other perks. The Milwaukee crew gave the best sales pitch, and secured the biggest contract.
These are photographs taken by US Gov’t inspectors, who visited the Harley-Davidson factory in 1918 to monitor the production methods and facilities of Harley-Davidson. The documentation of the Harley-Davidson factory, testing regime, and schools is far more extensive than with Indian and Excelsior, which must reflect their larger share of military motorcycle contracts.
These photos have recently been scanned by the National Archive and have never been published, as far as we know. They’re a fascinating look into a lost industrial past at the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson factory, 100 years ago.
The World’s #1 Vintage Motorcycle Site
Source: https://thevintagent.com/2018/03/23/100-years-ago-harley-davidson-manufacturing-in-1918/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).
And MOCO has now gone back top the old A M F days of the 70s and 80s when they built overpriced, substandard junk ! Every time they have something that REALLY works, such as the Evolution engine, the chain drive, the Super Gllide, the OLD Fatboy before they chopped it all up, and the store where all you got was good service, good parts, and a decent staff instead of a boutique with a bunch of salespeople who don’t know a camshaft from a swizzle stick, they get rid of it for some high tech, high maintenance, high cost White Elephant that couldn’t get away from a kid on a scooter and breaks the bank every time you need service. Too much technology, too much maintenance, to hard for the average wrench turner to work on, and too damned expensive compared to other, better imports, which NEVER break and are easy to work on. If Harley doesn’t stop running headlong back to the old A M F days and putting accessories before good bikes and good service, it will be A.M.F. to Harley Davidson.
Although Harley makes rugged machines. A recent review of their top machines reveal it still carries a crude characteristic which seem to have never been solved by Harley, even after 40 years, some problems remain.
The Japanese have far surpassed Harley in making refined bikes, but have never been able to capture the “soul” of Harley-Davidson.