Harley-Davidson's origins

Harley-Davidson has not been in the Chinese market for a long time, but Harley motorcycles and China have a very deep historical connection.

In 1923, the famous architect Liang Sicheng was riding a Harley when he was involved in a car accident on the streets of Beijing. on May 7, 1923, Liang Sicheng was riding a Harley motorcycle with his younger brother to participate in a commemorative activity organized by students of the Beihang University to mark the National Day of Shame. As the car was leaving Nanchang Street, it was hit by a car belonging to Jin Yongyan, the deputy chief of transportation of the Northern Warlords. Liang Sicheng was seriously injured and recovered after surgery, but became lame. The news appeared in the then Morning Post and shocked Chinese readers.

During the war against Japan in April 1941, U.S. President Roosevelt approved the donation of 1,000 Harley military vehicles to the Chinese government for use in the war effort.

In 1950, Shanghai's Tongchang Car Company, the predecessor of today's Shanghai Phoenix Bicycle Factory, was already importing and marketing Harley motorcycles.

In 1982, Malcolm Forbes, son of Forbes Magazine founder B.C. Forbes, received special permission from Deng Xiaoping to lead his team of hot air balloons and a fleet of Harleys on a visit to China. At the end of the trip, Mr. Malcolm Forbes donated his beloved hot air balloon and three of his Harley motorcycles to Chinese athletes to promote Chinese sports and foster friendship between the United States and China.