1933 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles on the Beach in Milwaukee for a Photo Shoot

In 1933, Harley-Davidson designers created a one year only paint job which is arguably the best that has ever come out of Milwaukee. Even back in the 1930s, Harley knew that nothing looks better on a motorcycle than beautiful women and if you throw in some sand and sun, you’ve got a recipe for success. So, Harley trucked a couple of their new ’33 models down to Bradford Beach in Milwaukee for a photo shoot.

Both motorcycles pictured are powered by 74” sidevalve engines mated to hand-shifted three-speed transmissions. The 1933 model year was one of the lowest production years in Harley history, with only 2671 big twins produced and a total production of 3703 units (this number includes singles and small twins). Of the two motorcycles used in the photo shoot, the sidecar model, is the rarest with only 164 being manufactured. These low productions numbers were a result of the Great Depression, which drastically cut sales for Harley-Davidson. It is likely that Harley hoped that their new “flashy” paint job would help attract more customers. Unfortunately, most of these photos were deemed too risque for an ad campaign, but one did make it on the cover of the Enthusiast.

(via Harley Davidson Forums)

Fascinating Vintage Photographs Capture Inside the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Factory in 1918

Of the ‘Big 3’ American motorcycle manufacturers responding to US Military requests for motorcycles, it was Harley-Davidson that gave the matter the most thought. Every manufacturer had a good motorcycle to offer, and none were specialized at the kind of harsh service required by the military. Then again, motorcycling in the USA in 1918 was a pretty rough business, as paved roads only existed in the center of towns, and roads didn’t even exist in many parts of the West.

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.

Assembling room. 1918.

Manufacturing motorcycles and sidecars. 20,000 Harley-Davidson sidecars can be turned out in 12 months time by the Harley Davidson Factories. This is the final assembling operation on the sidecars. Manufactured in the plant of the Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Milwaukee, Wis.. Nov 19, 1918.

Battery of four-spindle automatic screw machines manufactured in the plants of the Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

View of shipping platform of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Seven [rail] cars can be accommodated at one time.

Operator sandblasting sidecar frames. Note that he is not exposed to the sand blast at any time. In the plant of the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Milwaukee, Wis. Nov 19, 1918.

Close-up view of special sandblasting machine, showing how one compartment can be loaded while parts in other compartment are being blasted inside of the machine.

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45 Fascinating Photos of the Milwaukee Circus Parade in the 1960s

The Great Circus Parade is a parade of marching bands, circus wagons, clowns, performers, and animals. Between 1963 and 2009, it has been held 30 times in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a few times in Chicago and Baraboo, Wisconsin.

A fundraiser for the Circus World Museum, the parade typically draws hundreds of thousands of attendees. The parade recreates how people in the late 19th century and early 20th century gathered along stops on a circus’s route to see whether a circus was worth viewing.

The Great Circus Parade was founded by Chappie Fox and Ben Barkin and first held in Milwaukee in 1963. It continued annually in Milwaukee until 1973. Between 1980 and 2005, it was held in Milwaukee, Chicago or Baraboo, Wisconsin. No parade was held between 2006 and 2008.

These fascinating photos were found by Mark Susina that show the Great Circus Parade in 1963 and 1965.

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The First Factory of Harley Davidson, 1903

After William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson started development of single cylinder engines and bicycle frames, they began to use the shed originally constructed by Arthur’s father, William C. Davidson. William was a cabinetmaker for the Milwaukee Road Railway shops and commonly used the 10×15-foot woodshed as his personal shop. However, by 1903, Arthur and William took the shed over as their new and first motorcycle factory.

At some point, this takeover must have been agreed upon because someone informally painted on the door “Harley-Davidson Motor Co.” The factory stood on the Davidson lot that is now the site of the Miller Brewing Co. headquarters on the corner of 38th Street and Highland Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Over the years that followed, the original shed was added upon to accommodate more equipment and workers. The new, little motorcycle company was going places. In 1906, operations were moved to a second wood-construction building on what is now the current Juneau Avenue site. But it was quickly apparent that a much more substantial facility was needed.

The main wedge-shaped building at Juneau Avenue was constructed in stages between 1910 and 1913. The impact it had on production was noticeable, with production of 3,168 motorcycles in 1910 rising sharply to 12,904 units during 1913. A much later addition was built in 1966 on the side facing the railroad tracks to the north. The main Juneau Avenue building was used at least partially for motorcycle and parts production as recently as 1973 when motorcycle assembly operations moved to York.

(via Harley Davidson)