Willie G. Davidson, grandson of Harley-Davidson’s co-founder, William A. Davidson, signed on as a designer at the Motor Company in 1963. He was just 30 years old and eager to leave his mark on the Bar & Shield brand. Having graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Willie G. worked for the design department at the Ford Motor Company before joining H-D.
The custom motorcycle scene in and around Los Angeles during the late 1960s inspired Willie G. and would go on to influence the original Factory Custom motorcycle launched in 1971, the FX Super Glide, which combined the Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork , and a wild rear fender. Designed by the man himself, it was his first for the company, but most definitely not the last, as he went on to pen the outlines of the 1977 FXS Low Rider and the 1977 XLCR Sportster, among others.
