Harley Davidson motorcycle

Even if you're a certified fanatic about the Harley Davidson motorcycle and Harley Davidson parts accessories, there are some interesting facts about this venerable company that you may not know. Did you know, for instance that the U.S. military began using the Harley Davidson motorcycle before World War I? It's true. The Army was using the Harley Davidson motorcycle against Pancho Villa along the U.S./Mexico border in 1916, and these Harleys were equipped with machine guns. The Army went on to use the Harley in combat during WW I. When WW II came around, the Harley Davidson motorcycle was again called to active duty, and thousands of them saw action. Many of these were subsequently sold as war surplus and were quickly snapped up by eager veterans, some of whom formed riding clubs and the first motorcycle gangs. By the 1950s, the Army decided it no longer needed Harleys for the Korean War and Harley began to focus on the civilian market. However, not all was rosy for H-D. During the 1960's, motorcycle sales were so low that Harley actually expanded into the golf cart market and became the third-largest manufacturer of golf carts.