History coming to life - Harley and the Davidsons

In a recent meeting with our Marketing District Manager, he said to me, "I can see that you bleed Black & Orange!" (the Harley-Davidson colors) I'm just passionate about Harley motorcycles and happen to know a lot of their history. 

For years I've been bugging the motor company and H-D Museum

to do a TV show on how Harley-Davidson went from a 10x15 backyard shed to a multi-million dollar company known the world over. Originally they were just looking for a faster, easier way to the fishing hole. And here we are, nearly 115 years later, with something more than 'just' motorcycles - there's an entire culture attributed to Harleys.

Well finally my wish has come true: the Discovery Channel has

created a 3-part mini-series titled Harley and the Davidsons. The H-D Museum granted extensive access to early documents and photographs so that Discovery could research the story down to the smallest detail. But don't be thinking this is another a documentary- it's not. This show is a dramatization and also a love letter to the era; about immigrant children creating their own American dream.

Because Harley-Davidson was not part of the production and had no editorial control over the content, they will not be advertising the mini-series itself. However H-D will be bringing considerable advertising to the table as this series airs shortly after the 2017

model year line-up is introduced (August 23rd). Add in the fact that dealers across the nation will be hosting "Discover More" Open House Events the weekend of September 22-25, inviting everyone to check out the latest the motor company has produced, it's clear that HDMC will be taking advantage of the show. (Of course FX Caprara Harley-Davidson will be having our own Discover More Open House!)

And I will be excited to see all this history coming to life, even if it isn't 100% accurate. Especially since I'm tired of another company stating that they're "America's first motorcycle" - which is technically true, but then went out of business in 1953. America's oldest, continuously running motorcycle manufacturer to date is the one and only Harley-Davidson.