An American Motorcycle Brand
First started producing motorcycles in 1903 (though had the first patent on their engine in 1901). Was later bought by AMF in 1969 after falling on hard times. In 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of 13 investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie G. Davidson for $80 million. The main headquarters is based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
The classic Harley-Davidson engines are V-twin engines, with a 45° angle between the cylinders. The crankshaft has a single pin, and both pistons are connected to this pin through their connecting rods. The engine is covered under several United States patents. It is an engineering trade off which allows a large, high-torque engine in a relatively small space. It causes the cylinders to fire at uneven intervals and produces the choppy "potato-potato" sound so strongly linked to the Harley-Davidson brand.
