Thursday, May 1, 2014

Today in motorcycle history, May 2, 1912





    


  




   The first Harley-Davidson Dealer magazine is published.







  Gotta give Harley credit, in the early days of the company, Milwaukee recognized the dealers value.  Believing they brought the attitude of “we're the men who handle the motorcycle". The first 16-page issue included articles on how to enhance photographic skills for publicity images and improve salesmanship through print advertising.


  Later articles ranged from the basics of store layout to the intricacies of piston wear. Most importantly, the Harley-Davidson Dealer stressed that customer loyalty had to be earned.  Do not be an asshole. 
  

  The publication was conceived as a “medium in which you dealers tell your troubles and your joys.” Of course, Harley-Davidson was the clearing house for articles so there were not many articles that contained anything too troubling.  Dealers were seen as the writers and editors of what was considered H-D's central news bureau. The message to the dealers was clear, “It is your paper.”



 The Harley-Davidson Dealer was published from 1912-1916.