Harley Davidson Facts

In Mechanicsburg, Ohio, an avid 82-year-old biker has been buried atop his prized Harley-Davidson in a see-through coffin.

Harley-Davidson was bought in 1969 by AMF - a company best known for bowling equipment. They nearly quintupled output. Oil leaks, bad welds, and faulty electrics became routine. Riders called them "Hardly Ableson." Harley's market share fell from 80% to under 20%. In 1981, 13 executives led an $81.5 million buyout - and rode their Harleys to Milwaukee to celebrate. They rebuilt the American icon.

Sturgis, South Dakota has 7,000 residents and hosts the world's biggest motorcycle rally, which drew a record 739,000 riders in 2015. It began in 1938 with nine riders racing for a crowd under 200. Pappy Hoel had just opened an Indian Motorcycle shop and formed the Jackpine Gypsies. His wife Pearl counted the bikes the night before and cooked a picnic for every rider. She kept doing it until the 1950s, when the crowd outgrew her kitchen.