CHICAGO — A Harley-Davidson dealer opening across the street from Wrigley Field, announced last week, is the latest mile marker in a long relationship between the city and the famed Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer.
In 1904 — a year after William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson made their first motorcycles for sale — C.H. Lang opened the first Harley-Davidson dealership, in Chicago, according to the company.
A year later, a 15-mile, Fourth of July race in Chicago was won by a motorcyclist riding a Harley, giving the new brand a marketing boost.
At Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee museum, the city is represented by a restored 1971, three-wheeled bike with Chicago Police Department insignias. Called Servi-Cars, the vehicles were used primarily by officers giving parking tickets.
A blue beacon was mounted near its front forks. [DNAinfo/Andrew Herrmann]
This 1909 story in the Tribune noted that 19 manufacturers of motorcycles were participating in the Chicago Auto Show, including Harley-Davidson. The story says the machines are capable of reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour.
Want to hear how the Servi-Car sounded? Watch the video below: