The Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Founded in 1903 by William S. Harley, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company is the most famous motorcycle manufacturer in the world. It has survived two world wars and earned its reputation for performance and reliability.

Today, the Harley-Davidson company produces three different types of motorcycles: the Harley Softail, the Harley Touring and the Harley Sportster. Each motorcycle has a different engine. The Harley Softail is a 95-inch long bike that weighs about 650 pounds. The Harley Touring offers a larger, more stable size and improved comfort. The Harley Sportster is an entry-level model that is 88 inches long and weighs 500 pounds.

The Harley Sportster comes in seven different variations. It has a 55 cubic-inch overhead-valve engine. It is one of the lightest bikes in the Harley line. The price ranges from $14,000 to $19,000.

Harley-Davidson has been developing smaller bikes to appeal to younger riders. The company's most recent addition is an all-electric motorcycle, called the LiveWire, which will hit the market in 2019.

The Harley-Davidson factory is located at the company's corporate headquarters on Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee. It was originally a 40 ft x 60 ft wooden structure. The company moved into the present building in 2006. It is currently the largest production facility in the Harley family.

In the mid-1990s, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company began exploring new labor-friendly production techniques. It adopted the Toyota Production System, which is based on just-in-time inventory. It also began using a three-speed sliding-gear transmission in its rear hub.