By Matthew Proctor

Motorcycle helmets should not be considered a novelty. Your helmet is an essential contribution to the safety of your well being, so it is important to choose the right one.

The Harley-Davidson helmet provides excellent protection for the rider. With its helmets containing the four major components: an EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) an impact-absorbing liner, a rigid outer shell, padding for comfort, and a retention system. All Harley-Davidson helmets are DOS approved and some meet SNELL requirements. In addition, Harley-Davidson manufactures strive to create their merchandises of good quality and are great looking.

With large variety of styles for helmets, visiting a Motor Clothes specialist at a Harley Davidson dealership should help you choose a style that best fits your taste. There are four basic Harley Davidson helmets styles.

1. Half Helmets. These helmets are light and cool, ideal for motorcyclists who ride in hot weather. However, with the helmet only partially covering your head, it provides minimum protection.

2. Three Quarters helmets provide more protection to the side of your face. Also, attached to the helmet is a face shield or snap on visor.

3. Full face Helmets provide comfort during warm weather and warmth during cold weather. It also provides optimal protection for the user.

4. Modular Helmets. A combination of three quarter and full face helmet, Modular helmets are capable of flipping the face/chin module on and off for more face exposure. Nevertheless riders should have the module in the closed position while driving, this is vital for their security.

Harley-Davidson helmets can be purchased in authorized shops that are found in most countries around the globe. There is also the option of shopping online for your desired merchandise. Web sites like eBay provide a large amount of options for their consumers. With deals that come with free shipping, eBay can be an ideal place to buy helmets.

By Karl Allan

Harley Davidson collectibles are pretty much anything that carries the HD logo… that isn’t on a motorcycle. HD collectibles range from clothes, jewelery, art and gifts.

What makes Harley Davidson Collectibles so desirable?

Many people will have different answers to this question… but when I think about it, my main reason is to remember the ride. When I get out on my motorcycle and hit the open road… I feel exhilarated! I feel free! I feel alive! As I’m riding for a while, all of life’s problems start to get processed and unwound in my head. My thinking becomes clearer. My thoughts become more focussed. I become more relaxed as I work those thoughts out in my head.

So when I get back from my ride and park my bike… a part of me wants to jump back on and ride until my life on this earth ends. Unfortunately work, house hold chores, paying bills, eating, sleeping, and all that other “life stuff” gets in the way. So if I have something to remind me of my ride and what it feels like to be on the road…. my mind is drawn back there. It’s sort of like having a family picture on your desk or wall. When you look at that picture, you are reminded of all the good times your family had at the time that photo was taken.

What do Harley Davidson Collectibles remind you of?

So too with the HD collectibles. Each time you put on the piece of clothing or jewelery… you’re mind is instantly transported back onto the open road… when life seems soo much simpler and calm. When you look at that piece of art or gift you received… you feel the sway of the bike as it takes corners so effortlessly as you shift your weight on the handle bars.

I think, in my opinion, all that is contained in these collectibles are anchors to our lives that remind us of why we ride… to help de-stress and de-clutter our thoughts and minds. To be free from the grind this world puts us under and live a more simpler life. So really, Harley Davidson collectibles are a collection of our thoughts and feelings expressed in various forms so we can be reminded through out the day of what and who is important to us.

By Joe Kosoglow

Are you thinking about buying custom Harley motorcycle parts online? You will find so many online options available to you today.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help ensure a positive online shopping experience. After all, the last thing you want is to purchase your Harley Davidson motorcycle parts and accessories from a bogus or disreputable company that is only in business to take your money or deliver inferior knock-off products.

In order to reduce your risk of being taken advantage of when buying custom Harley motorcycle parts, you should keep the following online shopping guidelines in mind:

• Keep your Internet browser up-to-date with the most recent updates, as browsers are continually updated to help protect personal information.
• Before entering any credit card or personal information, be sure to look at the bottom of your browser window or next to the Web address to make sure the padlock icon is present and the page you are viewing begins with ‘https://”. This indicates you are using a secure connection and your data will be secure.
• Use a credit card rather than a debit card, as credit cards provide more protection against fraud.
• Install and use a firewall to help prevent personal information from being accessed.
• Periodically clean your computer with anti-spyware, as spyware is designed to gather and send personal information to others.
• Perform online research regarding the company you are planning to buy from in order to learn more about their customer satisfaction record.
• Look for a website that has received a third-party seal of approval from a reputable company, such as the Better Business Bureau or a verifiable payment or trust provider.

Buying Harley Davidson motorcycle parts and accessories online can offer a number of benefits. Not only is it more convenient to shop from home, but online shopping also makes it possible to explore a greater variety of merchandise while also saving you money as compared to traditional brick and mortar store.

At the same time, you don’t want to put your personal or financial information at risk by purchasing from a non-secure website or a bogus company.

By keeping the above simple tips in mind when you shop for custom Harley motorcycle parts, you will be more likely to enjoy all of the many benefits online shopping offers without having to worry about the potential pitfalls.

By Alexandra Winn

If you are looking to add some Harley Davidson furniture to your home, there’s a great range to choose from. If you are looking for items for a games or bar room, you may want to look into the range of pool and poker tables, or bar stools and tables.

For a really cute kids bedroom, there are tables and chairs, toy caddies, storage units and of course, the adorable Harley Rockers. For any little Harley fan, these pieces would delight! Whether you are looking for little accents to have around the bedroom, or a full on HD theme, there are lots of pieces that can transform a boring kid’s bedroom into a little biker fans haven.

For general pieces around the home, within the Harley Davidson furniture range are snazzy clocks and mirrors that come in either contemporary or classic designs. Perfect wall hangings for that hint of Harley.

Harley Davidson make great clocks that are not only functional, but fun too. Some have electronic sounds that sound like a roaring HD engine that is played when the hours strike. Don’t worry though, you won’t be woken in the early hours, the clocks come with an in-built sensor that switches the sounds off during the night and early morning.

Other items include, lamps, throws, ornaments and artwork. If you’re living the Harley lifestyle or aspire to, it’s only natural to incorporate the brand into the home. The great thing about Harley Davidson, is that it isn’t just a brand, it’s a lifestyle choice for free spirits who want their lives to be just that bit different and breaking from the conventional.

Having Harley Davidson furniture around the home is of course, not for everyone. But for those who have a passion and appreciation of the brand, it’s a form of expression and free thinking. Everyone should after all put their own personality and stamp on a home, for Harley fans what better way than adorning a room or two with reminders of that free and easy lifestyle.

By Liz Wood

Harley Davidson will go down in history as being one of the most famous and well known brand names in the world. Harley Davidson has been known for their commitment to detail and quality ever since they became established in 1931. Due to this, many companies create imitations of Harley’s quality apparel and other gifts such as helmets, boots, and bike accessories. It is vital that you become aware of the signs for authentic HD vintage clothing because knock-offs are everywhere!

Below you will find several tips to help you identify what’s real from what’s fake. By keeping a few helpful signs in mind, you will be able to spot imitation Harley gear from a mile away.

Tip #1: Study the Harley Davidson Logo

For decades, the bar and shield logo has been around. In fact, it’s only changed a little since its original design back in 1931. When shopping for vintage Harley Davidson apparel, be sure to know the exact colors, shape and details of the genuine Harley Davidson Logo. Imitations often alter the logo first. As an example, a common logo variation includes the misspelling of Motorcycle. On a knock-off you will see this written in the center of the logo, “Harley Davidson Motor Cycle.” Notice the space between Motor Cycle? Always check the logo and look for slight alterations. This is the best way to identify an imitation!

Tip #2: Check the price. If you think it’s too good to be true, you are probably right with that assumption!

Pay special attention to this tip when purchasing vintage or antique Harley apparel. When in good shape, vintage Harley clothing can be quite valuable and expensive! The same goes for antique bikes and parts. If you feel that the price is an incredible bargain, the chances of it being authentic are lessened.

Tip #3: Pay special attention to the detail and quality of the clothing.

As mentioned earlier, HD is known for producing quality products. This has been the company’s philosophy since the very beginning so if the article of clothing you are considering buying is of poor quality, its probably an imitation. Authentic vintage Harley Davidson clothing will be made with great detail and include real leather, accurate stitching work and high quality lining.

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By Julie Shields

Do you love your Harley Davidson motorcycles? If so, you’re likely marrying another rider. Why not turn your passion into the symbol of your passion for each other with a Harley Davidson engagement ring? Be off on your way and hit the open road wearing your double-love on your fingers.

You can get custom made Harley engagement rings or find some excellent models already made online as well as in custom Harley jewelry shops. Needless to say, even when it comes to all things Harley Davidson, not all engagement rings are right for all people. So you have to consider some things first as you go shopping.

First, there is the price to be paid. So, take into consideration what you can afford, and then from there consider the metals used, the workmanship, the simplicity or intricacy of the Harley engagement rings that you want.

Now, consider the practicalities of your lifestyle. When you’re often heading out on the highway, riding hard, you don’t want expensive rings than be easily tarnished, scratched, or sullied. You want durable rings made of, perhaps, a less precious but tougher metal. Even if you typically wear riding gloves, you still need to consider how much protection from wind and weather you want to give to your symbols of your love and forthcoming union. So, you should probably consider titanium or stainless steel over silver, gold, or platinum if you know you’re going to be more at home when you’re on the “fly”. What’s more, consider that these rings are usually thicker than other engagement rings, again for toughness but also because the Harley Davidson logo, if used, is quite bulky. For less bulk, consider other Harley symbols: generic cycles, eagles, wings, flames, skulls, and serpents.

Consider Harley engagement rings seriously if you are quite certain that you’ll always be riders. (The same goes for your wedding rings, too). You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that, in the future, you’ll not be all that proud of or not feel any connection to. Especially if you are very young (under 35), think twice before you decide to go with the Harley engagement rings. On the other hand, Harley engagement rings can be very inexpensive compared to other types since many of them are made more for nice-looking durability than “fire and glitter” (although diamonds are popular in Harley engagement rings), so if you won’t be spending too much money and you think that even if you stop riding you’ll at least always enjoy the memories, then go ahead and take a chance and live for today!

Also, be patient. Harley engagement rings won’t be as easy to find as most other types, since they are appealing to a narrow segment of the market (it probably shocks you that not everyone is a motorcycle rider, and of those not all of them are Harley Davidson riders). The Franklin Mint, Adventure Harley Davidson Jewelry, Syd Curtis Designs, Doc’s Harley Davidson, and Josten’s are some of the very best Harley Davidson engagement ring makers and sellers, and they all have good websites.

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By Gwen Zecklehorn

Harley Davidson wallpaper will be the perfect touch to complete any Harley’s fan bedroom. Although you cannot get full wallpaper you can get wallpaper borders and a 6 foot by 9 foot mural.

Owning a Harley is not like having just any motorcycle, It is a HARLEY! And having one seems to have an effect on them. They want to have things that remind them of their bike around them. Many people will start with a pair of sunglasses or a jacket but then it moves into their home.

When a Harley owner has children they want them to be surrounded by Harleys. The best way to start is with decorating their child’s room whether son or daughter with HD wallpaper borders, bedding, art, pillows, collectibles. Any way that you want to decorate I am sure you will find a Harley item to fit.

Before I mentioned 6 x 9 foot murals, you can’t get HD wallpaper but you can get the border, and with the mural you can do just about anything. There may be motorcycle wallpaper for children but not with Harleys on it. With the borders you can make any room look great.

The Harley Davidson bedding is a great place to start decorating your room. You can get bedding for a child, a man or women. The styles can be mixed and matched for a great Harley décor and when you add the wallpaper borders the room will start taking shape.

With Harleys’ colors being orange and black if you put too many of just those colors it can get a bit dreary. So liven it up with lighter HD wallpaper borders, and maybe pillows in a different shade if you decide to go with the traditional orange and black comforter.

There are beautiful HD frames to put family pictures in, or buy some Harley art to hang on the walls. You can have pictures of you and your family in one of their frames for a homey feeling. Putting some matching collectibles around are a great finishing touch.

When you start with the HD bedding it gives you great ideas for finishing the room. Adding the art and collectibles, the frames with family pictures will put your own touches to the room and finishing with the Harley Davidson wallpaper borders you will have a great room that you can be proud of.

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By Roberta Sullivan

Are you into Harleys? Do you want to share some of that experience with your little ones? Harley Davidson bedding offers that perfect bed-in-a-bag gift for your children that will have them driving a hog in their dreams.

If your son is under the age of 13, the perfect gift that will have him snoozing off into the land of the Harley would be the 2 piece twin Harley comforter set. The sheets display a motorcycle along with the Harley logo and flames. The original price is $59.99, but there are better deals floating around the web.

Adults like the Harley tattoo sheets, which comes as a complete set at a price of around $50. The sheets are covered with patterned gray Harley symbols against the black base, the pillowcases and flat sheets have an orange flame pattern; they are made 50-50 of cotton and polyester.

Going on a car trip or maybe you just want to relax conveniently somewhere, consider the Harley tattoo decorative pillow. It is a plush pillow with the Harley Davidson icon, flames surrounding the icon on black pigmented base; 50-50 percent cotton and polyester. This is the ideal Harley Davidson bedding gift for your male spouse or even your female spouse as well, if this is her style.

Harley Davidson throw blanket is smaller than a queen size bed, but is it ideal for lounging around the house. It will keep you a little warm during a cool night. The throw could be the ideal blanket for a newborn baby or small child, too.

For all you Harley loving couples out there, think about getting a Harley bedding fleece blanket “his and hers” set, so you both will enjoy your own personal soft feel of the throws. Maybe you want to get the brightest colors for your parents; it’s still a cute gift to have or give. If you are big on the collection of Harley Davidson bedding blankets, the HarleyEagle throw blanket is a great add on. Sweet Dreams in the hog world!

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By Larry L Clark

Harley-Davidson got its humble start when William Harley and Arthur Davidson produced the first production motorcycle in 1903. The motorbike was to be a racing bike, and was built in a small shed wooden with the words Harley-Davidson Motor Company written on the front door. One year later Harley-Davidson had put out 3 production motorcycles for the public.

In 1905 Harley-Davidson wins its first race and hires its first employee. Three years later, in 1908, Harley-Davidson sold the first motorcycle to be used in police service to the Detroit Police Department. In 1912 H-D started building its 6 story factory and exports its first bikes to Japan, the first time sales were extended outside of the United States.

1914 marks the year H-D formally enters itself into the national racing circuit, and is quickly known as “The Wrecking Crew” for its dominance in the racing industry. By 1917 one-third of all motorcycles produced would be sold to the military, and was also the start of the Service School for Harley-Davidson Mechanics, for both military and civilian bikes.

By 1918 half of all bikes produced were shipped off to military for service in World War 1, and Corporal Roy Holtz would be the first soldier to ride a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in Germany. 1920 marks the year that the motorcycle company is the largest in the world in the motorcycle industry, and has over 2,000 dealers in 67 countries worldwide.

1931 is the year that almost all of Harley’s competitors are gone, with the exception of the Indian Motorcycle Company. Harley-Davidson and Indian are the only two motorcycle companies in America, until 1953. As the world enters into World War 2, so does Harley go back into Military motorcycle production, and the service school is turned back into the military motorcycle service school, also known as the Quartermaster School for military mechanics. During this time the public could hardly get their hands on a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.

In 1945 the wartime production slows to a halt and a civilian production starts up again, and in 1947 H-D starts to sell what is now the classic black leather motorcycle jacket. Throughout this whole time Harley is consistently winning races on street and dirt over and over and still dominates the racing circuit.

1952 was the year the Harley Sportster made its debut, but as the “K” series. It would not be until 1957 that it wouldn’t be named as such. In 1953 Harley-Davidson would become the sole motorcycle manufacturer in the United States when Hendee Manufacturing, the Indian motorcycle company, goes out of business.

Elvis Presley poses for a cover shot of Enthusiast, the motorcycle enthusiast magazine, in 1956. The 1960’s showed Harley winning race ofter race after race, and he merge with the American Machine and Foundry Company, or AMF.

The 1970s ushered in a customizing craze amongst enthusiasts, and Harley-Davidson going through a company and factory wide renovation and restructuring. All production machinery goes through a major modernization and a new larger production plant in Milwaukee.

Harley’s have been known to always have oil leaks and vibrate massively, sort of an attraction with Harley aficionado’s. The 80’s came in with a huge turn around with the motorcycle company, in dampening the vibration, quelling the oil leaks and making them oil tight. This coupled with a new belt drive instead of chain drive and the new “Softail” frame with hidden rear end shocks, Harley’s became a very smooth and comfortable ride. 1981 was also the year Harley-Davidson bought out the merger AMC and took control back of the company.

The Motorcycle Company is traded on the American Stock Exchange, the first time since 1969, and the year AMF merged with H-D. 1987 is the year H-D is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and is publicly traded and the companies confidence in itself as a leader in the motorcycle industry is evident in this move, as well as starting the “Buy Back Program” in which owners of older Harley’s can trade in their old models and get full trade-in price on a new “HOG”.

Harley celebrates its 90 birthday and has a family reunion in Milwaukee, also taking a financial interest in Buell Motorcycles started by Erik Buell to manufacture American sport motorcycles using Harley-Davidson Engines and in 1994 enters into the superbike racing industry with its first liquid cooled bike called the VR1000. Harley celebrates 95 years in 1998 and 140,000 riders come to Milwaukee to help with the party and celebration. Harley buys another 49% of Buell motorcycles making them the majority owner in the company and making the founder Erik Buell chairman of operations.

In 2003, more than 250,000 riders converge on Milwaukee for the final stop of the “Open Road Tour” and to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary and Party. Harley-Davidson and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) mark 25 years together as partners in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. In 2006 Harley announces plans to open a museum for the motorcycle company and plans for the opening to be in 2008.

Through this time H-D has been winning races and helping charities and people to make life better. This brief history on the building of the company is just a part of the Harley-Davidson legacy. Most people associate H-D with outlaw bikers and black leather jackets but many people don’t know the other side of things with Harley-Davidson. The work with charities and racing throughout the whole growth of the company are things many people don’t realize about this little family owned company, that is now Americas biggest motorcycle manufacturer.

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By Todd Hardy

Mention the word motorcycle and chances are the first thing that comes to your mind is a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Think of motorcycle-riding celebrities and for sure among the things that you will think about are Harley-riding celebrities like Elvis Presley and Peter Fonda.

The Harley motorcycles are considered an iconic brand that it can stand alone even without a celebrity endorser. However, it is the celebrities themselves who show off their Harleys making them in effect unofficial endorsers of the motorcycle.

Harleys is the favored motorcycle brand among popular actors and politicians. Here are some popular personalities who have been seen riding or just photographed with a Harley.

Bill Clinton
Who can beat the Harley when even the President of the United States has been shown astride the famous motorcycle? The photo of former President Bill Clinton astride the popular motorcycle brand while he was still Arkansas governor is enough advertising pitch for Harley Davidson. And when he became President, Clinton was even photographed hugging a Harley employee during a visit to the Harley plant.

Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley has been identified with the Harley motorcycles which were featured in some of his films. The King of Rock and Roll is however a real-life Harley fan and has in fact owned several Harley motorcycles. Even after his death, Elvis is still being linked to the motorcycle brand with his favorite Harley now on display at the Harley Museum. The company has also released 30 limited edition replicas of the favorite Harley motorcycle of Elvis to commemorate his 30 years death anniversary in 2007.

Jay Leno
Jay Leno is another certified Harley Davidson fan but unlike other celebrities who just love to ride their motorcycles, Leno, whose first job is that of a mechanic, is noted for being a hands-on Harley owner as he takes care of his motorcycle’s repair and maintenance. He owns several Harley motorcycles and loves to get on top and under his Harleys too.

Elizabeth Taylor
If you think that Harleys are popular only among male celebrities then Elizabeth Taylor’s fondness for the motorcycle will prove you wrong. The legendary star does not however own just an ordinary motorcycle but a Purple Passion Harley to match her eyes from pal Malcolm Forbes who himself owns more than fifty Harleys.

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper
It may have been taken years ago but photos of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper astride their Harley motorcycles in the 1969 movie Easy Rider is still in demand today. This photo is a classic Harley poster that has been etched in the minds of motorcycle lovers through the years.

Brigitte Bardot
This 1950s bombshell is not just famous for her vital statistics but also for her romance with the Harley motorcycle. Next to the photo of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, it is probably the photo of Bardot astride a Harley wearing a leather jacket that is partially unzipped as well as hot pants that will always remain in the memories of riders loyal to the brand. Even her debut single which became a hit had the Harley Davidson title.

The list of celebrities who have at one time in their lives owned and rode a Harley motorcycle is endless. It is perhaps Harley’s timeless appeal that makes it a favorite among people from all walks of life and from all economic status. Celebrities, after all, are just humans who could not resist the HD charm.

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