Beschreibung:

Harley-Davidson's long and proud history began in the early 1900s, when Arthur and Walter Davidson joined forces with William S. Harley to build their first motorcycle. The single cylinder motorcycle displaced 10ci which proved insufficient on steep hillclimbs. With the help of their Aunt Janet who painted and pinstriped the bikes, the newly formed alliance largely improved upon their first effort, and sold their first two bikes. By 1908, the newly formed motorcycle was back-ordered as their bikes grew in popularity and they were producing over 400 a year. The company's success continued until World War I when the outbreak of war stifled their exports overseas. Nevertheless, their clientele had also expanded by this time as the United States Army became their newest client. By 1921 business had resumed to profitable standards, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles were competing heavily with the Ford Model T. In the same year, the introduction of the Harley-Davidson signature engine also took place when the company introduced the renowned Flathead. The Flathead remained in production for many years and was supplemented with the equally impressive Knucklehead. Offering nearly 1000cc's in 1936, the Harley's engine offered the rider optimum performance and ride control. With the resolution of World War II, Harley-Davidson resumed full scale production on their bikes and by 1948 the latest version was introduced. Remaining a mainstay of production until 1965, the Panhead Harley was one of the most popular models the company had ever built and its distinctive chassis features were favored among motorcycle customizers of the period. In the long tradition of Harleys' efforts at self-improvement, it was only a matter of time before the Panhead would be replaced. Its successor, the Shovelhead offered its driver a powerful 1,200cc engine that displaced 74ci, though many were bored out even further for increased performance. Throughout the 1980s, Harley-Davidson production remained strong and many of the stock bike frames became the objects of customizing Visually, the 80ci Road King's styling radiates Harley nostalgia: skirted fenders, sweeping highrise handlebars, burly headlight with chrome nacelle, all flanked by twin driving lights. Riding the 'King, you never doubt you're on a machine of formidable substance. Nothing may be done quickly or halfheartedly. Each shift is an event; the clutch must be yanked in, the chrome heel/toe shifter prodded with sustained, decisive force. Harley riders know the feel. Decent ground clearance, coupled with a low center of gravity, wide handlebars, narrow profile and grippy rubber can make for fun times when the touring path deviates from the Interstate. This sort of touring is exactly what Peter Fonda used his Road King for. Known in turn as Henry Fonda's son, Jane Fonda's brother, and counter-culture icon Captain America in the legendary biker movie Easy Rider produced in 1969, Fonda was born in New York City on February 23rd, 1940, Fonda, by his own accounts, grew up trying to live up to his famous father's expectations. An exceptionally bright young man, he entered the University of Omaha as a sophomore at the age of seventeen, without even finishing high school. He then went to New York to pursue his acting career, first working with the Cecilwood Theatre and then debuting on Broadway at the age of twenty-one in a production of Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole. Fonda continued to be consigned to romantic leads until he appeared in Roger Corman's The Wild Angels in 1966. A motorcycle enthusiast whom Corman cast after the film's original star, George Maharis, demanded a stunt double, Fonda seemed a natural for the role of a motorcycle gang leader. The film, which cast actual Hell's Angels and co-starred Bruce Dern, was a violent, drug-addled affair that catalyzed Fonda's reputation as his father's delinquent spawn and direct antithesis. This reputation was furthered by his starring role in Corman's The T