Harley-Davidson, Inc. - circa 1997-99 Specimen Stock Certificate - Famous Motorcycle Company

Uncanceled Stock. Famous motorcycle maker. Excellent Condition. So very popular! Harley-Davidson, Inc., commonly referred to as H-D or Harley, is a motorcycle manufacturer based in the United States, established in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Together with Indian, it was one of the two primary American motorcycle manufacturers that endured the Great Depression. The company has navigated various ownership structures, subsidiary relationships, periods of economic downturn and product quality issues, as well as fierce global competition, to emerge as one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world and a brand recognized for its devoted customer base. There are owner clubs and events held globally, in addition to a company-sponsored museum that focuses on the brand.

In 1901, a 20-year-old William S. Harley created designs for a compact engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (102 mm) flywheels intended for installation in a standard pedal-bicycle frame. Over the subsequent two years, he collaborated with his childhood friend Arthur Davidson to develop their motor-bicycle at a machine shop located in northside Milwaukee, which belonged to their friend Henry Melk. The project was completed in 1903 with assistance from Arthur's brother, Walter Davidson. When they tested their power-cycle, Harley and the Davidson brothers discovered that it could not ascend the hills surrounding Milwaukee without the aid of pedals, leading them to regard their initial motor-bicycle as a significant learning experience.