Archive for October, 2009

When you decide to dropship

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

So you have decided to go in business for your self. Even more so you have decided to dropship your items. Before you do, make sure that your dropship company can supply the items you have in mind. It is perhaps best to start out with a few items so that you can become familiar with the drop ship process.

Several years ago, only a few companies would dropship for you. Today there are a large number of companies that will sell you merchandise and dropship it for you. If you feel that this is the business for you, then you need to start looking for dropship companies. Decide what you want to sell, and then look for all the companies that offer these items. Consider the dropship policies along with the price of the merchandise. Then you can determine whether to dropship the items you want to sell. On the other hand, you need to know how much you want to make from your dropship business. That will help you to determine the number of items to sell and what kind of items to sell. Even more so when you think of drop shipping you need to know the demand and supply for items you are going to sell.

The best time to learn about Dropshipping is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Dropshipping experience while it’s still free.

If the item is a hot item, and you have many orders, there is a possibility that your company may not be able to fill your customer orders. There’s nothing worse then ordering something only to find out that it is out of stock. So if you decide to dropship, check with your drop shipper and make sure the item is available. It may not be possible some times to check with your dropshipper so be prepared to deal in customer service in a customer friendly way if the item ordered is out of stock. Most of the time dropship companies have an abundance of merchandise. Sometimes however an item becomes very popular overnight. When this happens the supply can not fill the demand. Usually the wait for merchandise is not long but sometimes it is, especially if it is during a holiday time such as Christmas. So be prepared to deal with back orders and to communicate with your customers about the dropship concerns.

For those business people who do not have storefront, drop shipping is an avenue for selling. When you decide to dropship, you do not have to worry about stocking a store. The drop shipper has a warehouse full of merchandise and that becomes your store. Some drop shippers will allow you to come to the warehouse and look at the merchandise on display. If you can afford to visit one of these dropship merchandise display centers, you can then pick and choose items that you think will dropship well and that will be popular among your potential customers.

Remember items that are breakable, can create many problems for you from your customers. When an item is dropshipped, and a customer tells you that he received the item broken it becomes necessary for you to replace that item. Some items dropship better than others. So pick a few items to dropship at first, see how it goes and added on to your collection gradually.

As your knowledge about Dropshipping continues to grow, you will begin to see how Dropshipping fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Children With the Sleep Disorder of Sleepwalking

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The following paragraphs summarize the work of Sleep Disorders experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Sleep Disorders. Heed their advice to avoid any Sleep Disorders surprises.

The sleep disorder of sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, affects approximately 14% of school-age children between five and twelve years old at least once. Approximately one quarter of the children with this sleep disorder have more frequent episodes. Sleepwalking is more common in boys then it is in girls. Most children that sleepwalk outgrow the symptoms of this sleep disorder by adolescence as their nervous systems develop.

In children this sleep disorder is thought to be the result of the immaturity of the brain’s sleep / wake cycle. Normally the entire brain wakes up at the same time. However, in the case of a sleepwalker, the entire brain does not wake up together. The portion that is responsible for mobility wakes up while the portion responsible for cognition and awareness stays asleep. The child is actually in a deep state of sleep.

With this sleep disorder the brain remains partially asleep but the body is able to move. It is common for the sleepwalker to get out of bed and walk around. Sometimes they get dressed or go outside. Even though the sleepwalker’s eyes are open and they see what they are doing, their expression remains blank. They do not respond to conversation or their name being called. A sleepwalker’s movements usually appear clumsy. It is not uncommon for them to trip over furniture or knock over things as they move around. A sleepwalking episode usually happens one to two hours after the child goes to sleep. Most of these episodes last for fifteen minutes or less, but some can last for an hour or more.

This sleep disorder in children is usually outgrown and treatment is not generally necessary. In most cases, a parent gently guiding the child back to bed is all that is needed. There is not any need to wake the child.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Sleep Disorders, keep reading.

However, there is about 1% of the population that sleepwalk as adults. Adults that have this sleep disorder did not necessarily have it as a child. In adults a sleepwalking episode can be triggered by stress, anxiety, sleep fragmentation, sleep deprivation, or certain medical conditions such as epilepsy.

Treatment for adults with this sleep disorder is often dependent upon the amount of danger they are in during an episode. For example, a sleepwalker who opens doors and goes outside onto a busy city street is in danger. A sleepwalker that gets up and goes into the living room and sits down on a chair most likely is not in danger. Treatments can include behavioral therapies, self hypnosis, or prescription medication.

A sleepwalker, whether adult or child, needs to have a safe area so that they do not get hurt during an episode. Precautions can be taken to eliminate some dangers. Parents should make sure the child’s bedroom does not have any sharp or breakable objects. Doors should be locked at night to keep the sleepwalker from going outside. Sometimes it is necessary to put bells on doors to alert the sleeping parent that their child is sleepwalking. Large glass windows and doors should be covered with heavy drapery to lessen the chance of having the sleepwalker walk through it while it is closed.

A child with the sleep disorder of somnambulism needs to be protected and kept safe during an episode. It is the environment they are in that is the danger more then the sleep disorder itself.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Silver Scarab Pendants

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

A very popular silver pendant amongst people, who are drawn to the Egyptian mythology, is the silver scarab pendant. Most people don’t know the mythology behind their silver scarab pendant even though the scarab is a prominent symbol in Egyptology. Having an idea as to where the concept comes from for your silver scarab pendant helps deepen the symbolism and the meaning attached to it.

The ancient Egyptians have long held the scarab as sacred. They believed the scarab was the symbol of a sun god called Khepera, one of the aspects, attributed to this deity, was the ability to transform inert matter into active life. The symbolism associated with the scarab was derived from a dung beetle that lays their eggs within a ball of clay. From within this ball of clay the beetle would hatch and symbolized the creation of new life. So a silver scarab pendant most often symbolizes creation or life.

The majority of amulets that the Egyptians made were mostly from carved soapstone and then glazed with crushed stones, sand, and gems, these were then worn or carried as a protective amulet. Egyptian style silver scarab pendants may seem like a common form of jewelry today, in ancient Egypt master Smith’s would fashion elaborate neck pieces of silver or gold which often included a scarab in its motif which were worn not only for adornment but for protection, in both this life and in the afterlife, as well.

Many of the silver scarab pendants that are on the market are imported directly from Egypt. The majority of silver scarab pendants are crafted using the casting method, which silver is turned to liquid under high heat and poured into a mold. And although they can make several at a time, each silver scarab pendant still needs to be finished by hand.

The more authentic information about Silver Pendants you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Silver Pendants expert. Read on for even more Silver Pendants facts that you can share.

In the United States we are used to the standard of our fine silver being about 90% silver and 10% metal alloy, usually copper, to increase the silver’s strength. Egyptian silver is generally 80% silver and 20% metal alloy. Generally if it comes from Egypt it is not considered to be fine sterling silver. Although in Egypt the 80/20 mixture is considered to be fine silver by their standards.

This is something to keep in mind when you are purchasing a silver scarab pendant and is not meant to deter you if you choose to purchase your silver scarab pendant made from Egyptian silver, and this is for informational purposes only. You should be aware that because Egyptian silver is made with a 20 % metal alloy, you may notice that your piece will need more frequent cleanings to keep your silver scarab pendant looking like new.

Normally, if they are crafted and stamped on the back, they are domestically crafted and your silver scarab pendant will in general need the same amount of care as any other pieces of silver jewelry may need. With either domestic or foreign silver, caring for your piece is generally the same.

Using a soft jewelers cloth and a bit of polish, you would clean your silver scarab pendant with a gentle circular motion. Although nowadays they have silver polishing cloths that do not need silver polish in order to remove any tarnish that may have accumulated on your silver scarab pendant.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

An Alternative Approach for Overcoming a Sleep Disorder

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about Sleep Disorders to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from Sleep Disorders experts.

Having a sleep disorder can be very disruptive to everyday life. Sleep deprived people are usually excessively tired and sleepy. They tend to become irritable and very emotional. At times they become a danger, not only to themselves, but also to those around them.

Some people use alternative, natural ways to lessen the effects of their sleep disorder. Many people focus on diet and nutrition, while others use herbs and supplements. Still others believe in the positive effect of exercise, relaxation and sensory techniques, meditation or behavioral and cognitive strategies. Often people use a combination of these approaches to help alleviate the symptoms of their sleep disorder.

A healthy diet is essential for optimal energy and a restful sleep. Avoiding certain foods is as important as including others in your daily diet. Eating a wide variety of foods and drinking plenty of water will keep your body well- balanced and provide a more stable energy level. Avoiding food that is grown, treated or processed with chemicals, and limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine will also help your overall physical condition. Many foods promote a restful sleep and are helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of certain sleep disorders. Eating the proper snack before bedtime can increase natural serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a natural sedative and is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Foods that a re rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, avocados and bananas.

Many people use herbs and natural supplements as an alternative approach to treating their sleep disorder. There are many nutritional supplements and herbal products on the market. It is important to know how a specific product acts on the body as well as on the specific sleep disorder.. For example many people with restless leg syndrome have an iron or folic acid deficiency. Taking an iron supplement may alleviate some of the symptoms of RLS. Many herbs are well known for promoting a natural sleep. A clamming tea of chamomile or lemon balm can be very relaxing to many people that suffer from a sleep disorder.

Exercise and relaxation techniques, whether used alone or together, can reduce stress and muscle tension. Many people that use these techniques to lessen the symptoms of a sleep disorder do these before going to bed. They not only ease physical tension but they calm the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These techniques include mindful exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises and yoga.

Meditation and visualization are also used by some sufferers of sleep disorders to calm the body before sleep. Two common forms of mediation are meditation on the breath and mantra meditation. Both of these types can have a positive effect on relieving stress and calming the body. Many people focus their energy on a healing visualization as a method of alternative therapy for their sleep disorder.

Sensory techniques that people use to lessen the symptoms of their sleep disorder are hydrotherapy, and aroma therapy. The two main techniques included in hydrotherapy, which means water therapy, are relaxing in an Epsom salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath. Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic essential oils in baths, massage oils, room sprays, and simple inhalants.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Sleep Disorders. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Alternative behavioral and cognitive strategies used to combat the symptoms of a sleep disorder include improving a person’s sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy and journal writing.

Alternative practices and techniques can help many types of sleep disorders. Often they are used in conjunction with traditional medication and practices.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

IPhone Breaks the Silence of Technology

Monday, October 19th, 2009

IPhone is a product proudly made by Apple which has the capability to be connected to the internet having flush multi-touch visuals and an expanded hardware interface. Because the iPhone lacks the physical features of having a keyboard or keypad attached to its system, a built-in virtual keyboard was rendered for the device to become touch-screen. With its introduction, a grasp of thrill was made through the air of technology addicts.

A lot of people are quite amazed with the different features and how sleek the phone is. Some of the famous functions of the device is that it offers a multimedia portable player, a camera is incorporated, visual voicemail and the traditional text messaging are included in one little gadget. The device also offers services via the internet that includes browsing through the web, connection to Wi-Fi and e-mail.

On January 9, 2007, Apple proudly announced and introduced the technological advancement to the world. After the announcement, a lot of comments, speculations and rumors were attached to the device and circulated for a couple of months. Nevertheless, fans all over the world were still on the verge of needing to have one on the palm of their hands.

Introduction of the iPhone was first made in the United States dated June 29, 2007 and is still on that stage of introducing it to the countries. In honor, Time Magazine named it as the Invention of the Year 2007. Last July 11, 2008, a more famous version was released which supported a faster 3G speed which was known as iPhone 3G.

See how much you can learn about Iphone when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

Because of the hype, the demand for iPhone has grown in the past few months of its peak. Although, its distribution to the world market is gradually taken because of the availability issue that may be in the coming months or even years. Some countries are already experiencing the technology’s fantastic features. It’s like giving yourself a chance to become attached to the world at any time, anywhere.

Genesis began from Apple big boss Steve Jobs. He instructed that engineers working for apple should investigate on touch screen technology. Apple was responsible for creating the gadget away from prying eyes ? it was all too unprecedented and technically secretive because of the tie-up with AT&T.

While developing the device, it then had a codename ? Purple 2. Apple insisted on rejecting the first design that was made by the committee that was in favor of customizing interface and operating system and also building a customized hardware. On the day of its introduction, Apple proudly sold about 270,000 sleek devices during its first 30 hours from the time it was launched. 2007 was a streak for Apple because just within that span, the phone was sold amongst eight million advocates just within the United States. Also, the original device was sold subsequently in countries like France, UK, Austria, Germany and Ireland.

iPhone 3G was released on July 11, 2008 in more than twenty countries wherein the first six were still included. The very first iPhone 3G was sold in New Zealand. During its first three days of sale, Apple succeeded of making one million iPhone 3Gs sold.

While other countries are already watching out for a newer version, others are still anticipating for the coming of the original and the 3G version. Goes to show that iPhone was successful in its gala.

Sometimes it’s tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I’m positive you’ll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Skydiving Dropzones; Where to Find the Very Best Ones in the U.S.

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Have you ever wondered if what you know about Skydiving is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Skydiving.

If you are considering skydiving, chances are you need to act quickly before you change your mind. There is no greater thrill in the world than experiencing falling through the wind at 120 mph, and it is an experience you are sure to never forget. One of the most important factors when considering skydiving is dropzone location. Simply put, this refers to the skydiving facility. While finding the best drop zone takes time and research, here are a few of the best facilities you’ll find anywhere in the world.

There are 275 drop zone locations in the United States, with at least a couple to choose from in nearly every state. Ohio has some of the best facilities with their drop zones located near open countryside. There are 11 total drop zones in Ohio and each one offers instruction in tandem skydiving. Florida boasts 16 skydiving drop zones with Florida Skydiving Center at Lake Wales ranking in the top place. This drop zone offers instruction in tandem and accelerated freefall jumps along with exceptional camping and recreation facilities. Another highly-ranked drop zone in Florida is Skydive City located in Zephyrhills, Florida. Skydive City offers some amazing deals on tandem skydiving, with packages starting at just $184. The tandem jump training at this facility is done in about 20 minutes with a jump concluding the training. For the ultimate beach skydiving experience, look into a drop zone located in Hawaii. There are two located in this island state and both offer incredible deals if purchased as part of a vacation package.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

A great drop zone in Georgia is Skydive Atlanta located in Thomaston, Georgia. This facility also offers valuable training in tandem skydive in less than 30 minutes. Skydive Atlanta is the longest running skydive facility in Georgia and uses the same tandem equipment systems currently in use by the U.S. military. This facility boasts the largest and most open landing area in the entire state of Georgia. Also, you can watch your tandem skydiving experience on a big screen TV located on-site, as well as enjoy a discount meal at the Cutaway Café located right along the runway.

An excellent place to locate the perfect skydiving facility is www.dropzone.com. This websites is packed full of skydiving information, with everything from equipment explanations to a list of skydiving facilities in the United States and abroad. Simply enter your own address to find the nearest skydiving adventure, or choose any region listed and find a facility as far as Asia or Africa. You can also check out the weather for your skydiving experience and be prepared in advance for any unfavorable conditions. You can enter other information such as if you wish to jump alone or tandem, questions about any equipment, or you can participate in the skydiving forums and chat with other experienced jumpers. Now that you know where to look, start planning your skydiving adventure!

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about Skydiving into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about Skydiving, and that’s time well spent.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Magazine publishing Career 101

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Magazine Publishing is certainly no exception.

Working for a magazine is the ultimate dream job for most writers especially for girls who dream of getting those freebies and attending those exclusive events. But magazine publishing is not just about the events and the giveaways, it is about writing articles that readers of the magazines will respond to and relate to. This can be hard to do especially if your events are not really worth writing about.

Behind every page of the magazine is blood sweat and tears of the stuff. After all the fun, staffers will need to get back to reality and work on the material that they have gathered. They now have to write the article, do follow up interviews and even stay for layout and proofreading.

So before you apply for any magazines, here are some things that you need to know first. Read on and it might save you from going into a field that is not really for you.

1. Hard work

People only see the glamour behind the job but work in a magazine publishing is far from glamorous. For instance, you may get all the freebies for skin care but you have to sacrifice sleep in order to finish a deadline, harming your skin even more. With their stressful jobs and odd hours, these people really need skin care products!

2. Additional expenses

Pulling out clothes for fashion shoots may seem fun. After all, it’s like shopping without having to pay for your choices. But wait until you yourself do the deed. You will be carrying armloads of clothes, shoes and accessories all in one day or look for unique fashion finds until your feet kills you. And be careful with staining the dress or ruining the material of the shoes. A small damage will mean paying for clothes that are beyond your monthly clothing budget. Some clothes will even be more expensive than your annual income.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Magazine Publishing? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

3. Socializing with people you don’t know

The job will also entail attending events and parties. This is great for people who love the party scene and those who are exactly into the party circuit. But if you are the kind of person who would rather stay at home and read a book, this job may not be for you. Hobnobbing with the rich and the famous without genuine interest may come out as contrived and false. This is not good for your reputation and for reputation of the magazine that you work for.

4. Overlapping deadlines

If you think you will just be given one assignment in a week, think again. Most writers will have several coverage in a day! And what is more, they are expected to write all of them. If it has a time element, the stories may even be published in one issue.

5. Boring coverage

Not all events are fun and happening. In your job, there will be events that are super boring and worthless. But no matter how bad the event is, you need to write about it as it is your job. So if you are not creative enough to come out with something out of nothing, magazine publishing is not for you. You need to be able to find a connection between things that are not really there in the first place.

Sounds tough? It is. So it’s definitely not for everyone.

Now that wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word on Magazine Publishing.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

How to Increase Your Employees? Motivation

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

With the depressing things happening in the economy, employees are in a slump about their lives. Some will also be depressed because of the ways things are going for them and this depression can severely affect their lives in general especially the work that they put in. Because of this,, it is important for managers to take care of their employees’ wellbeing and increase their motivation levels.

It may not be easy doing this but it can be done. It is possible to create a positive and motivated environment even at these times of economic hardships. Here are some of the things that you can do to get your people to stay motivated and on task.

1. Give them rewards.
One of the best and perhaps easiest ways to motivate people is to give then rewards for a job well done. People are basically materialistic and they want something concrete for their efforts. This is especially true now that people want resources in addition to what they are already earning. Rewards are also instant things that they can easily connect with their achievements and efforts.

You can tie up monetary rewards for instance with their performance levels. Those who have perfect attendance or those who are never late can also be given rewards for their efforts. You can reward a lot of things, not just achievement.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

2. Give them words of encouragement
There are some people who do not really care about the material gains. What they mostly care about is to know that they are doing a great job. You can reward them by words instead of material things. Praising is perhaps the less expensive thing that you can do to boost the morale of your people. Besides upping the level of motivation, you will also be creating a more together and bonded atmosphere in the company. People who praise their people are better looked up to as managers as opposed to those who do not say anything or those who only have disparaging remarks.

3. Interact with them
Being a manager, people will see you as something beyond their reach. Some will even see you with awe in their eyes. Reaching out to them and talking to them will be a great treat for your employees. This is especially true if you do not do this often. The shock effect will give your employees a certain feeling of togetherness and belongingness that they need to feel good about themselves and their jobs. Besides, with the boss talking to them, they will certainly feel more confident and more able to perform on the tasks given to them. After all, who would not want to be able to talk to the boss as if he or she is just a friend.

Motivation is an important thing in business. The level of motivation that your people have will affect the performance that they will put in for their work. Ultimately, their performance will affect the company’s production level. Having well-motivated people is something that you should not let slip by the radar. If you want to really perform well in the market especially at these times when survival is important, take a look at your employees.

They may not be as motivated as you would want them to be. By increasing their motivation levels, you will basically ensuring the survival of your company.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Finding The Right Harley Accessory

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Finding just the right accessory to give to your favorite Harley Davidson rider is fun and easy. Even if that favorite rider is you! There are three basic categories to know when you are searching.

Items that can be added to your wardrobe, or that can be worn. Any accessory in this category would include black leather jackets, pants, chaps or other items of outerwear. It also includes headgear such as helmets, sunglasses, goggles and masks. Hats, caps and bandanas are also popular. Bandanas can be either for the head or around the neck. Next up are belts, belt buckles, watches and other small items like lighters, jewelry, key chains, money clips, patches, pins and scarves. Purses are also a great gift for the ultimate biker chick and perfume is even an option. T-shirts are also available and don’t forget underwear. Clothing even comes in kids’ sizes for your favorite little biker. It is important to know what size whomever you are buying for is. Better too big than too small, better still that it fits.

The second category is for items that can be added to your motorcycle. Any accessory in this category would include anything that would give you a more comfortable and stylish ride. Luggage racks and saddlebags for example, provide storage on long trips. Radios and navigation equipment are also fun. A more practical accessory might include grips, decorative gas caps, timer covers, license plate frames, medallions, mirrors, covers and cleaning products. Handlebars, gas tanks, floorboards and footpegs, fuel gauges and the most popular items to give your bike a new look-chrome fenders and other chrome accessories are another way to go. Practical or custom, whatever you want is available.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Harley Davidson than you may have first thought.

The third category is reserved for any Harley Davidson accessory that can be used in the home. These items are for fun. Books, calendars, computer software, music collections, videos and handheld games are appearing on the market. Other items include dartboards, posters and other pictures, coffee cups, coasters, clocks, piggy banks-especially ones shaped like motorcycles, bottle openers, wine glasses, shot glasses, beer mugs and other dishware. Playing cards are a must. And for the true Harley fan there are table and chair sets, storage units, popcorn machines and even game tables. Don’t forget to check out the pet gear as well. Truly there is something for everyone.

Most Harley Davidson dealerships offer some of these items for sale. The best place to find that special Harley Davidson accessory just may be online. Just open your browser, go to your favorite search engine, type in Harley Davidson accessory and hold on for the ride. Trade magazines are also full of ads. Biker rallies and Harley Davidson sponsored events should also have merchants hawking their wares.

If you are buying online make sure you pay through a secure site, and be aware of any return and refund policies. While you are searching for that perfect accessory, you might even find a good free Harley Davidson screensaver to download on to your computer!

Knowing enough about Harley Davidson to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about Harley Davidson, you should have nothing to worry about.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

The History of Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Today, Harley Davidson motorcycles are a household name, but it hasn’t always been that way. It began way back in 1901, when a young man named William S. Harley had a vision for attaching an engine to a bicycle.

William had a friend named Arthur Davidson who embraced his concept. Together, they began working endless hours in a small wooden shed, with the words “Harley Davidson” scrawled on the door. By 1903, they rolled out the first production Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The legendary “Bar and Shield” logo became the defining symbol of Harley Davidson motorcycles in 1910. The logo is representative of strength and ruggedness. The design was patented in 1911 and continues to be used today.

In 1920, motorcycle racing legend, Leslie “Red” Parkhurst, broke numerous speed records on a Harley Davidson racing motorcycle. Each time Parkhurst won a race, he would carry a pig on a victory lap and it was during this time the term “hog” became associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles.

During World War I nearly half of the Harley Davidson motorcycles produced were sold to the United States Army. Throughout the 1920s, major changes took place to the design. The most notable was the change in the gas tank, which was switched to the now infamous teardrop shape. In 1928, Harley Davidson introduced the first twin-cam engine and front wheel brakes. These modifications allowed Harley Davidson motorcycles to reach speeds in excess of 85 mph.

Throughout the 1930s, Harley Davidson motorcycles continued to break speed records and won multiple awards. Harley Davidson further expanded into commercial and police vehicles through the introduction of the three-wheel Servi-Car.

Appearance changes were made to Harley Davidson motorcycles and included the famous “eagle” design, which was painted on all Harley Davidson gas tanks. During this time, the trademark 1340 cc engine was introduced and the “Knucklehead” motorcycle was launched.

Between the years of 1941 through 1945, Harley Davidson ceased civilian production of motorcycles and focused solely on providing reliable motorcycles to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.

When civilian production resumed, Harley Davidson motorcycles were in high demand. The organization expanded and purchased the A.O. Smith Propeller Plant to be used as a machine shop. Here they manufactured motorcycle parts and shipped them to the factory for final assembly.

1947 saw the introduction of the “Panhead” Harley Davidson motorcycle, which was deemed “THE American Motorcycle”. Two years later, hydraulic front brakes were introduced on the Hydra-Glide models.

The best time to learn about Harley Davidson is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Harley Davidson experience while it’s still free.

The 1950s were filled with challenges and triumphs. During this time, the British captured nearly 40 percent of the motorcycle market with their ever-popular Triumph motorcycle. Harley Davidson owners knew they would have to get creative if they were to remain at the top.

To compete with the smaller, sportier motorcycles coming from Great British, Harley Davidson developed the side-valve K model with an integrated engine and transmission. Today, the K model is known as the Sportster.

1953 marked the 50th anniversary of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The organization marked this event by creating a special logo which included a “V”, with a bar overlaid reading “Harley Davidson” and the words “50 Years American Made”. Every motorcycle manufactured in 1954 had a medallion version of the logo placed on the front fender.

During the 60s, Harley Davidson scaled down production and offered the only scooter bike ever produced. It was also during this time that the Sprint model was introduced. Other innovations included the electric starter and the introduction of the “Shovelhead” engines.

The 70s brought about transformation of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. A new Sportster racing motorcycle was introduced in 1970. One year later, the FX 1200 Super Glide cruiser was introduced; along with the first Harley-Davidson snowmobile.

1977 brought the Harley-Davidson Low Rider to the forefront when it was debuted to the public in Daytona Beach. Later in the year, the Café Racer was released.

Last, but not least, Harley Davidson introduced the FXEF Fat Bob in 1979. This bike has dual gas tanks and bobbed fenders. It was featured in Hollywood films and quickly became a favorite of the American public.

During the 80s, Harley Davidson went through considerable internal changes and more attention was focused on motorcycle racing. One of the most notable changes occurred in 1986, when Harley Davidson became listed on the American Stock Exchange.

In the 1990s, Harley Davidson expanded its U.S. operations to include a multi-million dollar paint facility, a new distribution center, power train plant, and production facility. Harley Davidson also opened a new assembly facility Brazil, the first operations outside of the U.S.

Since the beginning of 2000, Harley Davidson has exploded the marketplace with a variety of new and exciting motorcycles. These include the Softail Deuce; the Buell Blast, Firebolt, and Lightning; the Road King Custom; and the Street Glide.

Today, Harley Davidson owns more than 60 percent of the motorcycle market share. Considering their history and reputation, chances are good that Harley Davidson motorcycles will be around for another 100 years.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!


Search