Present at the event was “the genial Lang,” Harley-Davidson’s first dealer, Chicago’s Carl Lang. Lang began selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles at his Adams Street store in 1904, and sometime later moved to Michigan Avenue. Lang was reported to have been wearing a suit of yellow leather. Almost all of the other men in the photos are seen wearing dark suits common to the time.
Not much detail can be taken from the photos. However, more than one black motorcycle can be seen, meaning that motorcycles were present dating from earlier model years, possibly as early as 1905. “Renault Gray” was the more common paint scheme by this time.
What can be traced back to this seemingly mundane moment is the lasting impact of organized rides. More than a century after Lang arranged this outing, Harley-Davidson dealers, H.O.G. chapters, and riding clubs around the world have continued to create community and offer motorcyclists reasons to ride.
