Honda - Lord of the Rings

I wonder if Soichiro Honda knew what he was starting when as a schoolboy in the late thirties, he began his development of the piston ring. As his ideas came to fruition and production began, he tried to sell his rings to Toyota, but was told that his work didn't meet their rigorous standards. Undaunted, he carried on and two years later he finally earned a contract with the Japanese giant.

The man's determination was shown in the lead up to the Second World War. Japan was short of building materials, so the enterprising Mr Honda invented a new concrete making process that allowed him to construct a factory so that he could feed the hungry Toyota. His factory was bombed twice and destroyed by an earthquake, but still he came back.

After the war he turned his attention to motorcycles, and in.1947 he produced a ½ horsepower motorcycle called the A-type. This machine gave off so much smoke that it earned the nickname of 'The Chimney'. The Honda Motor Company was born in 1948 when Soichiro was 41. He went into partnership with Takeo Fujisawa and together they laid the foundation for what was to become the biggest motorcycle company in the World. This was the year that they introduced a 90cc version of the A-type named the B-type.

1949 saw the birth of the two-stroke D-type Dream, a machine that was Honda's first real motorcycle, rather than an engine mounted on a push bike. Soichiro oversaw every step of the development from design to production. It was indeed his dream.

By 1952 Honda were producing machines in large numbers. The F-type Cub was a ½ horsepower 50cc two-stroke that was available as a whole bike, or you could just purchase the engine to fit into your pushbike. Sales would soon reach 6500 per month.

A 90cc four-stroke was made available in 1953. This became known as the 'Benly' which means 'convenience' in Japanese. A three speed gearbox was fitted to the J-type Benly along with rear suspension. 1000 Benly's per month were being sent out of the factory gates. These were good times for Honda and a 200cc scooter soon followed.

The first twin cylinder offering from Honda appeared in 1957 with a 250cc four-stroke C70 Dream. By 1958 the 250 Dream had acquired an electric start, and in July 1958, what is considered to be the World's most successful motorcycle, the C100 Super Cub was born. They would eventually sell in excess of thirty million units.

In 1959 Honda showed its C72 Dream in Amsterdam, impressing the public with its aluminium engine, electric start and indicators.

In 1961 Mike Hailwood's victories at the Isle of Man cemented Honda's reputation and began their honeymoon with racing. Honda collected more than one hundred major motorcycle racing championships throughout the world, and the knowledge gleaned from building high performance machines has been used in the development of production bikes.

Honda changed the face of the motorcyclist too, when in 1962 an advertising campaign declared 'You meet the nicest people on a Honda', destroying the tough guy image that motorcycling had carried with it for some years. Now bikes were attractive to everyone, and at the Tokyo Show of 1968, the World's first true 'Superbike' was launched in the shape of the CB750F. It was the biggest motorcycle ever produced in Japan. The CB750 that introduced the following year was capable of 120mph, phenomenal for its day and by far the fastest bike on the road.

In 1975 Honda introduced their famous 'Goldwing' and in doing so, created a cult along with the bike that is still setting the standards today. It had a shaft drive, disc brakes and a fuel tank that was located under the seat.

Today, Honda is massive, employing more than one hundred thousand people in Japan and the USA, and it was all started by a schoolboy and his piston rings.

Alan Liptrot is the founder of Motorbike Tours.co.uk The Company offers guided motorcycle tours in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Harley Davidson Touring Road King

The history of Harley-Davidson

The history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles began in Milwaukee in 1903. Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson developed a one cylinder motorcycle in the turn of the century and the engine was developed with the introduction of the combustion engine of a cylinder gasoline used in 1903, designed for racing.
In 1908 already has a small company which built the motorcycle and another member of the Davidson family, William, joined the group. Then began to have employed about 20 people.
In 1909 Bill Harley made the first draft of the 1000 CC V-Twin, a modest seven horsepower making it the brand image of Harleys and more recognized.
In 1910 came the legendary "Bar and Shield" logo that was placed on the bike. This would become the symbol of Harley-Davidson. The numerous first places won in races, endurance contests and finally give recognition to the brand Harley-Davidson.
In 1911 the engine was introduced "F-head" engine until 1929 when the "Flathead" was placed.
In 1912 the growth of Harley-Davidson and Company had to build a new factory. It became an exporter in the same year with its first sale in Japan in the United States there were more than 200 dealers.
In 1914 dominated the racing motorcycles.
In 1915 appeared the three engine speeds.
In 1917 a third of all Harley-Davidsons were sent to the U.S. Military to fulfill their patriotic call and help in the war effort. The following year about half were sold to the U.S. Military. At the end of about 20,000 motorcycles were used in the war which were Harley-Davidson.
In 1918 already has one of the largest factories for the production of motorcycles in the world with approximately 2,000 dealers. The V-twin was Harley's time as trying to dethrone the Indiana. At this time the car was T-Ford and thus the Harley-Davidson began to dedicate to the manufacture of parts, lateral and even automobiles, aircraft engines and also to improve their own products.
In 1920 some changes occurred in the bike, which today are more recognizable. One such change was the identifiable teardrop shape, gas tank.
In 1926, a single cylinder engine was available again after being discontinued in 1918.
In 1928, the first twin-cam, engine and front wheel brakes were available on Harley-Davidson. With this modification, the motorcycle could reach speeds exceeding 85 mph.
In 1930 and subsequent years saw record losses of more awards and the Harley-Davidson.
In 1932, the three-wheel Servi-Car was introduced, becoming the police vehicle, business and family. The appearance also changes as the "eagle" placed on all Harley-Davidson in tanks of gasoline, as well as changes to the engine. Appeared then to CC in 1340, becoming the trademark of Harley Davidson motorcycle.
In 1936 became the year in which the Knucklehead of the motorcycle was launched.
In 1940, once again, the Harley-Davidson answered the call and sent its fleet of motorcycles for the war.
In 1941 the production was suspended for marketing calendar and open again in November 1945.
In 1957 the Sportster was born, becoming an immediate success.
In 1969, it was time for a merger with U.S. company Foudry Machine Company (AMF).
In 1970 there was a revolution of the Harley-Davidson.
In 1971, the cruiser was born.
In 1973 came a new plant.
In 1975 was the first of four consecutive years that the Harley-Davidson won the AMA Grand National Championships in dirt track.
In 1977, the FXS Low Rider and the FLHS Electra Glide Sport were introduced to the public.
In 1980 another change in partnership developed the engine and transmission.
In 1980, the FLT model was born with 5-speed transmission hard bolted to the engine.
In 1981 members of the Harley-Davidson purchased the Harley-Davidson Motor Company from AMF.
In 1983, the Hog group was founded and became the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle in the world. By the year 2000, the club had more than 500,000 members.
In 1984, the 1,340 cc V-twin engine was introduced, it took seven years to make.
In 1984, the company managed to create a modern motorcycle, which was still a Harley Davidson.
In 1987, the Harley-Davidson Company obtained a place in the New York Stock Exchange for those interested in having a financial stake in the company.
In 1988, Harley-Davidson celebrated its 85th anniversary in Milwaukee, an event that brought about 60,000 fans of Harley-Davidson. At the end of this revolutionary decade for Harley-Davidson, the FXSTS Softail Springer model was introduced. In the early 1990's the Fat Boy design was introduced and quickly succeeded. The name Fatboy was derived by combining the names of the two atomic bombs "Fat man" and "Little Boy" which were launched on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In 1991, the Dyna line of Harley-Davidson's was introduced with the FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis.
In 1994 saw the jump of Harley-Davidson for Superbike racing with the VR1000.
At this point in America, the Harley Davidson have 62% of the market of motorcycles with 850 CC or more! Due to the many fans around the world can say that is the brand of bikes with more success in the market for motorcycles.