7 Facts About Harley-Davidson and the Military
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company has been a partner with the U.S. Military since the company began producing bikes. Here are some fun facts about this partnership.
1. The Pre-War Relationship
In 1916, General "Black Jack" Pershing was chasing Pancho Villa across the U.S. and Mexican border. This was a long-standing conflict that the U.S. was having with Mexico before WWI. General Pershing was a lover and owner of the Harley-Davidson bike and could foresee the benefit of having the mobility during his chase. The U.S. Army soon had a dozen bikes and thus the relationship with the HD company began.
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2. WWI
HD entered the war effort with this 1918 61" F-Head or IOE (Intake Over Exhaust) engine. The sidecar was fitted with a machine gun for defense but was mainly used to get important messages where they needed to be quick. The enemies of the Allies were adept at intercepting broadcast messages, so these motorcycles were invaluable at leading us to victory.
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3. WWII
HD Motoring Company continued their relationship with the army by outfitting ground troops with the 1942 WLA. This was a faster, more mobile unit which carried additional weapons and supplies to keep the troops well armed and protected on the battlefield. The WLA was based on the WL and of the 45 solo type because of its 45-cubic-inch engine and single ride design.
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4. Post WWII Bikes
Harley Davidson continued to make motorcycles for the army after WWII. The same basic bike was used in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. The engines were beefed up and found much more uses than just on the front lines.
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5. Vietnam Era
Although the use of motorcycles was limited to Army Calvary and Marine Recon, Harley Davidson still supplied the military with the rugged bikes that proved invaluable to the men in uniform. The nimble bikes were used to scout territory and lead convoys through dangerous territory. Post-war bikes that were produced with a military influence were the XLA, of which only 400 were built and the MT500 along with the MT350.
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6. Desert Storm
Harley Davidson motorcycles still found usefulness in Operation Desert Storm with scout units as used previously in Vietnam. The MT530E was the motorcycle of choice during this turbulent time in the Middle East being the fastest means to get US troops and allies from place to place safely.
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7. Harley Davidson Supports Our Troops
Either in war time or in peace time, Harley-Davidson is still there to support our troops. They have a wide variety of programs to do just that. From free basic riding classes for Vets or free admission to the museum and free shipping to APO/FPO sites, Harley Davidson is a proud sponsor of the American military.
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For maintenance and repair guides for your Harley-Davidson, browse our technical How-to articles right here at HDforums.com!
