There are few companies that are more American than Harley-Davidson. But, here are 7 Things You Don’t Know About: Harley-Davidson.

1. Harley-Davidson considers 1903 as its first year in business.
2. The first Harley-Davidson made had trouble making it up hills without the assistance of the rider utilizing bicycle pedals.
3. In the 1970s, during a routine cleanup project at the factory, the original shed from the Davidson’s backyard where the first Harley-Davidson’s were built was inadvertently destroyed.
4. Founder William Harley graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1907, a full four years after founding the motorcycle company.
5. In 1921 a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was the first bike to win a race averaging over 100 miles per hour.
6. During World War II, Harley-Davidson produced over 90,000 military motorcycles.
7. Though it is an undeniably American company, the first British motorcycle riders club was the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain.

Harley-Davidson has had good years and rough years but remains an American institution.