The Harley-Davidson Museum is a North American museum near downtown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin celebrating the more than 100-year history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m²) three building complex on 20 acres (81,000 m²) along the Menomonee River bank contains more than 450 Harley-Davidson motorcycles and hundreds of thousands of artifacts from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s 110-year history. The museum attracts an estimated 300,000 visitors annually. The museum opened to the public on July 12, 2008, on a 20 acres (81,000 m²) site in the Menomonee Valley. The museum was built in an historically industrial area of Milwaukee. Prior to Harley-Davidson’s purchase of the land from the city, the site was formerly used by the Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Lakeshore Sand Company, and Morton Salt. A 4 feet (1.2 m) layer of imported soil was added to combat the contaminated soil. New vegetation was planted to restore the landscape to its riparian state. In late February 2006, designs for the museum were unveiled. The designs were created by James Biber, a partner at Pentagram, his team, and Michael Zweck-Bonner, an associate at Pentagram. Abbott Miller, a partner at Pentagram, designed the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The firm designed the museum over a period of eight years. On June 1, 2006, Harley-Davidson began the construction of the $75 million complex with a groundbreaking ceremony that included legendary Harley-Davidson dirt track motorcycle racer, Scott Parker, breaking ground by doing a burnout with a Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster, instead of with the traditional golden shovel. The site includes parking spaces for 1,000 motorcycles and 500 cars. The Museum’s facade also features a 17-foot (5.2 m)-tall, steel Harley-Davidson sign. The museum’s galleries permanent exhibitions, spread throughout two floors, in addition to temporary exhibits and the motor company’s archives. The complex also includes a restaurant, café, retail shop, and special event spaces. Also on display are historic Harley-Davidson items that tell the company’s story and history, such as photographs, posters, advertisements, clothes, trophies, video footage of vintage and contemporary motorcycling, and interactive exhibits, including 10 motorcycles that visitors can sit on.
The Motorcycle Gallery
On the museum’s upper level, a procession of motorcycles is displayed down the center of the main hall, running the length of the building, with galleries on either side.
The Harley-Davidson Journey
Along the east side of the upstairs galleries, a series of interconnected galleries exhibit the Harley-Davidson’s chronological history. The galleries relate the company’s history from its origins in a 10×15-foot wooden shack to its current status as the top U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, producing more than 330,000 bikes each year. The centerpiece of the gallery is "Serial Number One", the oldest known Harley-Davidson in existence, which is encased in glass. The glass enclosure sits within a floor-embedded, illuminated outline of the backyard shed the motor company was founded in.
The Engine Room
The museum’s second floor galleries begin with the Engine Room. A Knucklehead engine is displayed disassembled into several pieces. The Engine Room also features several interactive touch screen elements that show how Harley motors, including Panhead and Shovelhead motors work.
Clubs and Competition
The Clubs and Competition gallery includes displays and information about Harley-Davidson’s racing history. The gallery includes a section of a replica wooden board track, suspended in the air at a 45-degree incline. The wooden track features vintage video footage of actual board track races, and attached 1920s-era Harley-Davidson racing motorcycles; the bikes that raced on board tracks at 100 miles -per-hour. Fatalities were common, which led to the banning of wooden board tracks for motorcycle racing.
Tank Gallery
The museum’s upper floor exhibits also include the Gas Tank Gallery, formerly part of the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Open Road Tour. The exhibit displays 100 of Harley-Davidson’s most memorable tank graphics, spanning 70 years, selected by the company’s styling department and reproduced on "Fat Bob" tanks.
Custom Culture
The Custom Culture gallery covers Harley-Davidson’s impact on American and global culture. The centerpiece of the Custom Culture Gallery is "King Kong", a 13-foot (4.0 m)-long, two-engine Harley-Davidson motorcycle customized by Felix Predko. The exhibit also features exact replicas of the customized Harley-Davidson bikes ridden by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in the 1969 American movie, "Easy Rider", including Fonda’s "Captain America" chopper and Hopper’s "Billy Bike". Two of each of the two choppers were created, and one "Captain America" was destroyed in the film’s production.
The Kumbh Mela, renowned as the world’s largest spiritual congregation, has officially commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, attracting devotees from various walks of life keen to partake in this monumental event.
Beyond being a religious observance, it presents a vibrant showcase of the eclectic and intriguing figures who gather here. Among them, several Babas (sages or ascetics) are notable for their unconventional lifestyles and remarkable stories.
From a sadhu arriving on a Harley Davidson to a former IIT graduate embracing asceticism, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a fascinating mix of extraordinary individuals. Let’s delve deeper into some of the most remarkable Babas at this year’s gathering.
Chai-wale Baba
Known as “Chai Wale Baba,” Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, once a tea vendor from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has spent over four decades providing free coaching to civil services aspirants. Impressively, he conducts his classes without uttering a single word and sustains himself solely on tea.
This Baba maintains a vow of silence and relies on ten cups of tea each day, believing that the milk in the tea supplies all necessary nutrients, as reported by ABP News.
Known as “Chai Wale Baba,” Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, a former tea seller, has dedicated over 40 years to offering free coaching to civil services aspirants while maintaining silence and only consuming tea. ANI
The Baba adeptly communicates with his students through non-verbal cues, gestures, and WhatsApp messages.
Rajesh Singh, one of Baba’s pupils, shared how he aided him in preparing for the UPSC exams. “We can message him anytime, and he replies with written notes or gestures. His silence allows him to conserve energy for guiding us,” Singh told India TV.
Once a US Army soldier, now Baba Mokshapuri
Baba Mokshapuri, formerly known as Michael, a US Army veteran, found spirituality on his first trip to India with his family.
During this visit, he was introduced to meditation and yoga, which awakened a spiritual journey that he regards as a divine calling.
“I am no different than anyone else. There was a time when I enjoyed spending time with my family and serving in the Army,” he revealed to News18.
US based ‘Moksha Puri Baba’ narrates his journey from serving in the military to Sanyaas. pic.twitter.com/tG6X7PMvbC
The pivotal moment in his life came following the heartbreaking loss of his son, which drove him toward meditation for peace.
“I came to the realization that nothing lasts forever. I embarked on this endless quest for moksha,” explained the seer, who has closely aligned himself with the Juna Akhara, dedicating his life to the practice and advocacy of Sanatan Dharma.
Some Babas are cruising in style
At the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, some Babas have made memorable entrances with their unique modes of transportation.
One such personality is Ambassador Baba, who has struck a chord among attendees after arriving in his saffron-coloured Ambassador car. A sage from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, he has participated in four Kumbh Melas, traveling in his iconic 1972 Ambassador for nearly three to four decades.
Bavandar Baba. ANI
Another seer, known as ‘Splendor’ Baba, journeyed for 14 days from Gujarat on a three-wheeler motorcycle, covering an impressive distance of one lakh kilometres, as reported by ANI.
He was also seen riding into the tent city of the Maha Kumbh on a Harley Davidson.
IITian Baba
Abhay Singh, known as IITian Baba, has captured the attention of both devotees and social media on the inaugural day of Maha Kumbh.
A former student of IIT Bombay with expertise in aerospace engineering, Singh left behind a promising scientific career to pursue a spiritual path.
Meet IITian Baba at the Maha Kumbh, who did Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay but left everything for spirituality. pic.twitter.com/vM0XI7rIFS
“I sought the meaning of life. Even while studying engineering, I enrolled in philosophy courses—Post Modernism, Socrates, Plato—to grasp life’s essence,” he told News18.
“This path has led me to what I consider true knowledge. To understand the mind or mental health, one can pursue it through spirituality.” On how he achieved this stage, Singh remarked, “This is the best stage of my life.”
Rabri Baba
Every morning at the Maha Kumbh, Mahant Devgiri of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani begins his day by cooking a large kadhai (pot) of milk to prepare creamy sweet Rabri, which he serves to devotees from 8:00 am until late into the night.
Each morning at the Maha Kumbh, Mahant Devgiri prepares a large kadhai of milk for Rabri, served continuously to devotees throughout the day. ANI
This special offering has won the hearts of many attendees. He shared with ANI, “The kadhai is prepared at 8:00 am, but prior to that, I complete my daily rituals, which include bathing, meditation, and prayers. My morning worship stems from a connection with the Supreme Being.”
Environment Baba
Environment Baba, also referred to as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Aruna Giri, captured attention upon his arrival at the Maha Kumbh Mela.
In August 2016, he distributed 27 lakh plants from Vaishno Devi to Kanyakumari and has since encouraged his followers to plant two trees—one for final rites and a Peepal tree for oxygen supply.
“I have conducted 82 rituals so far. Devotees from around 30 countries have pledged to plant over 1 crore trees in our nation. In 2016, during a march from Vaishno Devi to Kanyakumari, we planted trees across 27 states. That’s how devotees started calling me Environment Baba,” he disclosed to ANI.
In discussions of classic American culture, Harley-Davidson stands out as an iconic motorcycle brand that has dominated the roads for over a century. Throughout its history, the company has influenced motorcycle trends significantly, introducing comfortable cruisers like the Softail and nurturing motorcycle clubs like the Hell’s Angels. Perhaps more fascinating are its renowned engine designs, including the Panhead, Knucklehead, and Shovelhead. While all share the illustrious Harley name, they each possess unique designs and characteristics, including varied valve cover styles and horsepower ratings.
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Harley-Davidson’s journey began in 1903 with the Model 1, which featured a 24.74 cubic-inch inlet-over-exhaust single-cylinder engine. The lineup continued to evolve with the introduction of the Panhead, Knucklehead, and Shovelhead engines, each representing significant advancements before eventually being phased out. Notably, the engines successively followed each other: the Knucklehead was the first, followed by the Panhead, and then the Shovelhead. Let’s delve into their unique contributions, how they compare, and the reasons for their retirement.
The Knucklehead was Harley-Davidson’s first overhead-valve V-twin engine
Kilmer Media/Shutterstock
After 33 years, Harley-Davidson introduced its first overhead-valve V-twin engine, named the Knucklehead, a nod to its uniquely designed rocker covers resembling knuckles. Before the Knucklehead, the company produced side-valve engines (Flatheads), which, while cheaper to manufacture and maintain, fell short of the power levels boasted by contemporary European bikes. Launched in 1931, the 60.3 cubic inch pushrod-based OHV engine featured a 4-speed constant-mesh transmission and a recirculating oil system.
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Various models of the Knucklehead were released over the years, each showcasing distinct horsepower ratings and engine dimensions. For instance, the 1936 E-model Knucklehead managed 37 horsepower but faced challenges with valve springs that broke easily and significant oil leakage problems. These deficiencies prompted Harley to consider improvements for future iterations. Over the years, the company worked diligently to refine the Knucklehead, addressing its issues, yet ultimately, the successor was already in the works.
The Panhead is shaped like a pan
ZikG/Shutterstock
Following the Knucklehead, Harley-Davidson’s next innovation came from necessity as the post-WW2 landscape demanded motorcycles to cater to an evolving America, which was rapidly improving its road infrastructure. In 1947, the company unveiled the Panhead, designed to manage overheating better by utilizing aluminum in its cylinder heads instead of traditional cast iron. This material choice allowed for greater heat dissipation during high-powered operations. The Panhead featured a revamped oil pump alongside its valves fixed in hard seat rings. Its polished one-piece valve covers earned the engine its “Panhead” moniker.
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Similar to the Knucklehead, power and specifications of the Panhead varied across different models. Earlier iterations ranged from 50 to 55 horsepower, while later versions in the 1960s, which underwent notable updates, reached 60 horsepower. However, despite innovations, the Panhead experienced challenges, particularly concerning the aluminum cylinder heads which expanded more rapidly than their cast-iron counterparts, leading to valve lash and subsequently hampered performance. Although Harley implemented solutions like hydraulic lifters, it was not long before they turned their focus to another significant engine model.
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The Shovelhead was a revival of the big twin engine
Uud N. Hudana/Shutterstock
Unveiled in 1966, the Shovelhead emerged as an OHV big twin engine, designed to power motorcycles that matched the increasing demand for more robust bikes. Its distinct shape of rocker covers inspired the name “Shovelhead.” Similar to the Panhead, the Shovelhead utilized aluminum cylinder heads, but with enhanced durability compared to earlier models. Harley produced two versions of the Shovelhead, one at 74 cubic inches and the other at 80 cubic inches, both known for their characteristic upturned shovel-like rocker boxes.
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As with previous models, the horsepower varied with the Shovelhead. For instance, early iterations of the 80-cubic-inch model delivered 66 horsepower at 5,600 rpms. While the Shovelhead was aimed at boosting performance and reliability, it still faced challenges like overheating, akin to the Panhead, along with issues such as blown head gaskets and malfunctioning electronic ignition. Problems like these eventually led to the engine’s replacement by the Evolution engine.
The Knucklehead, Panhead, and Shovelhead represent some of the most legendary engines to bear the Harley-Davidson name. Each engine featured its distinct flair, setting it apart not only from its siblings but also marking its individuality against contemporary options available in the market. These innovative engineering feats have significantly impacted the evolution of Harley-Davidson engines as we know them today.
The Harley-Davidson Museum is a North American museum near downtown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin celebrating the more than 100-year history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m²) three building complex on 20 acres (81,000 m²) along the Menomonee River bank contains more than 450 Harley-Davidson motorcycles and hundreds of thousands of artifacts from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s 110-year history. The museum attracts an estimated 300,000 visitors annually. The museum opened to the public on July 12, 2008, on a 20 acres (81,000 m²) site in the Menomonee Valley. The museum was built in an historically industrial area of Milwaukee. Prior to Harley-Davidson’s purchase of the land from the city, the site was formerly used by the Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Lakeshore Sand Company, and Morton Salt. A 4 feet (1.2 m) layer of imported soil was added to combat the contaminated soil. New vegetation was planted to restore the landscape to its riparian state. In late February 2006, designs for the museum were unveiled. The designs were created by James Biber, a partner at Pentagram, his team, and Michael Zweck-Bonner, an associate at Pentagram. Abbott Miller, a partner at Pentagram, designed the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The firm designed the museum over a period of eight years. On June 1, 2006, Harley-Davidson began the construction of the $75 million complex with a groundbreaking ceremony that included legendary Harley-Davidson dirt track motorcycle racer, Scott Parker, breaking ground by doing a burnout with a Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster, instead of with the traditional golden shovel. The site includes parking spaces for 1,000 motorcycles and 500 cars. The Museum’s facade also features a 17-foot (5.2 m)-tall, steel Harley-Davidson sign. The museum’s galleries permanent exhibitions, spread throughout two floors, in addition to temporary exhibits and the motor company’s archives. The complex also includes a restaurant, café, retail shop, and special event spaces. Also on display are historic Harley-Davidson items that tell the company’s story and history, such as photographs, posters, advertisements, clothes, trophies, video footage of vintage and contemporary motorcycling, and interactive exhibits, including 10 motorcycles that visitors can sit on.
The Motorcycle Gallery
On the museum’s upper level, a procession of motorcycles is displayed down the center of the main hall, running the length of the building, with galleries on either side.
The Harley-Davidson Journey
Along the east side of the upstairs galleries, a series of interconnected galleries exhibit the Harley-Davidson’s chronological history. The galleries relate the company’s history from its origins in a 10×15-foot wooden shack to its current status as the top U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, producing more than 330,000 bikes each year. The centerpiece of the gallery is "Serial Number One", the oldest known Harley-Davidson in existence, which is encased in glass. The glass enclosure sits within a floor-embedded, illuminated outline of the backyard shed the motor company was founded in.
The Engine Room
The museum’s second floor galleries begin with the Engine Room. A Knucklehead engine is displayed disassembled into several pieces. The Engine Room also features several interactive touch screen elements that show how Harley motors, including Panhead and Shovelhead motors work.
Clubs and Competition
The Clubs and Competition gallery includes displays and information about Harley-Davidson’s racing history. The gallery includes a section of a replica wooden board track, suspended in the air at a 45-degree incline. The wooden track features vintage video footage of actual board track races, and attached 1920s-era Harley-Davidson racing motorcycles; the bikes that raced on board tracks at 100 miles -per-hour. Fatalities were common, which led to the banning of wooden board tracks for motorcycle racing.
Tank Gallery
The museum’s upper floor exhibits also include the Gas Tank Gallery, formerly part of the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Open Road Tour. The exhibit displays 100 of Harley-Davidson’s most memorable tank graphics, spanning 70 years, selected by the company’s styling department and reproduced on "Fat Bob" tanks.
Custom Culture
The Custom Culture gallery covers Harley-Davidson’s impact on American and global culture. The centerpiece of the Custom Culture Gallery is "King Kong", a 13-foot (4.0 m)-long, two-engine Harley-Davidson motorcycle customized by Felix Predko. The exhibit also features exact replicas of the customized Harley-Davidson bikes ridden by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in the 1969 American movie, "Easy Rider", including Fonda’s "Captain America" chopper and Hopper’s "Billy Bike". Two of each of the two choppers were created, and one "Captain America" was destroyed in the film’s production.
