Harley-Davidson expected more than 100,000 people from around the nation and world to participate in the four-day celebration for it's 105th anniversary in 2008. It promised a parade through the city, a party along the lake, activities at the new Harley-Davidson Museum, a special exhibit at Discovery World, big-name acts and plenty of memories.

As the streets of Milwaukee started to empty on the Monday afternoon, many Harley-Davidson employees finally had the chance to take a breath as the 105th anniversary moved from a must attend event to that of legends.

Even as bikers headed back towards their respective homes, stories were being told at gas stations, restaurants and any other stop along the way.

Whether about the streets lined with every imaginable type of Harley or the Boss singing non-stop for three and half hours, the tales would surely grow as tall as the shadows set by the sun sinking on the five day event grew long.

It was an occasion that seemingly couldn’t go wrong with even the gods blessing the American legend with clear skies and perfect weather. Spirits were high from a variety of ongoing entertainment and a range of distractions at the celebrations that hardly a rider noticed the potholes Milwaukee is famous for. Not only had Harley-Davidson arranged a top-notch line up of entertainment but it was premièring it’s much anticipated museum to the riding world.

There were several reasons to make the 105th special in its own way; Harley Owners Group marked its 25th year, the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer had been in the business of building bikes for law agencies for a century and of course, there were 105 candles on the Harley-Davidson birthday cake. As the celebrations grew closer the motorcycle industry began to slow and increasing fuel prices were impacting motorcycle events across the country.

But Harley-Davidson pressed on, booking top notch entertainment such as Kid Rock, ZZ Top and Bruce Springsteen. Ticket packages were beautifully delivered in a copper box with metal embossed general admission  pass, leather travel wallet, brass key ring and bracelet as well as an American and a 105th flag.

Coordinating the routes from all parts of the country, the Harley magic charmed riders to Milwaukee filling hotel rooms, restaurants and local tourist destinations. Masses of motorcycles crowded the streets, parking on every corner and weaving through downtown streets, claiming the skyscraper canyon roads as Harley country. One-way systems and traffic designs from a few generations ago kept bikers guessing and brought about some creative maneuvering for the short trip between Veterans Park and downtown Milwaukee where the few hotels stood.

Some of the Online Motorcycle Magazine staff stayed in the Downtown Hyatt with it’s multitude of floors squarely surrounding a hollow interior making it easy to see the different floor's hallways above and below as guests walked to and from their room. The gliding elevators brought into view parts of the ground floor obscured by a grand stairway as it swept up and down the floors. At every glance from these different vantage points a sea of leather vests, Harley Davidson apparel and bikers in all their glory made their way around the hotel like worker ants in some symphony of activity.

This view would be repeated in Discovery World, a museum located on the other side of the bay from the motorcycle celebrations and a short walk from Veterans Park, leading bikers to blend with local boaters. The event was different from any other motorcycle rally, bringing sights and sounds only found at a Harley bash in its hometown. Known for its beer brewing as much as it is for bike building, Milwaukee isn’t on the of many lists for travel destinations, but bikers willingly wandered through Discovery World as eagerly as the variety of Harley-Davidson displays.

It was an international turn out for Harley’s 105th birthday with Colleen, a waitress at the museum café a walking billboard of the nationalities to sit on the banks of the beautifully manicured grounds. She proudly sported various Harley-Davidson pins from Japan and New Zealand with stories founded in many other countries.

If the celebration events were the cake, the museum was surely the icing. High expectations always face an inevitable disappointment and in some ways its not surprising that Harley Davidson not only met but exceeded the visiting Harley enthusiast’s hopes. From the first few moments of riding up no amount of stories, publicity or pictures did the museum justice as it blended in with it’s industrial surroundings. Although only finished this year, the museum sits comfortably among the other buildings that founded Milwaukee’s industrial revolution over the last century. In complete contrast to the ocean of dulled brick and metal, hundreds of gleaming motorcycles lined the road leading up to the three building complex that makes up the museum facilities as if to give it a two-wheeled, chromed color guard.

Tall industrial doors welcome bikers into the museum and with a turn around a non-descript corner a visitor is welcomed with a long column of motorcycles starting with Harley-Davidson’s 1906 models. The very first known Harley, given the name of #1 (from the number found stamped on various places of the frame and on different parts) catches the eye, lit up behind its glass case. Seemingly shining like Britain’s own Crown Jewels, bikers eyes were as big any tourist who has walked through the jewelry section of the Tower of London. The first inklings of the museums clever design is apparent in this side room with a three inch wide lighted line on the floor forming a square demonstrating the small size of the wooden shed that was Harley-Davidson’s birthplace. Its also in this room the respect and thoughtfulness shared among bikers is seen as they move to allow pictures to be taken and walls full of information to be read by those in the slow moving line.

At every turn it’s obvious the museum was designed by bikers for bikers. After all, who else would know what a thrill it is to hear a classic V-Twin turnover and rumble through stereo speakers in an interactive display. The different uses found for Milwaukee’s favorite motorcycles may cover some familiar territory, but the museum has a habit of adding little known facts and interesting slivers of history to the well told story of Harley-Davison such as the trike (or servibike) that would tow broken down cars to a garage for repair.
 
It would be easy to detail the museum with all its clever displays, but the true beauty of what Harley Davidson has created is that feeling of surprise found around every corner, and these should be discovered in person, rather than in the pages of Clutch and Chrome. Not surprisingly Harley Davidson officials are expecting 350,000 visitors a year to visit the museum complex.

Harley-Davidson's focus on women was seen throughout the four day celebration. At Veterans Park a booth offered Harley henna tattoos as well as the opportunity for the fairer sex to have a picture taken sitting on a ride of their own which can be used as a postcard to send to friends and family. Throughout the booth women riders were ready and willing to talk with those who haven't made the leap into a saddle of their very own. Free copies of Harley-Davidson's guide for women 'We Ride' which covers women of all ages who already ride, helpful tips with riding apparel and of course a look at the company's model line-up.

Demonstrations were given on how to pick up a motorcycle, eating healthy on the road and helmet hair tips.

A section of the museum featuring the history of motorcycle clubs included a look at the many women only groups that existing as long ago as the 1950's, showing the independent females who ride isn't too much of a modern phenomenon. The 'engine room' demystifies the combustion process of what many consider the heart of a motorcycle. Quite a few men were amazed at the hands on display explaining the gyroscopic effects of an engine and how it helps balance everyone's favorite pair of two wheels.

As star-studded as the entertainment line-up was, some say it was fitting for the Boss, Bruce Springsteen to finish his tour at the Harley celebrations and conclude the main schedule of events for it's 105th.

“Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts!” Bruce Springsteen shouted to the crowd at Veterans Park after he and the E Street Band opened with “Gypsy Rider,” before tearing into “Out In The Street.” Several thousand lucky concert ticket holders nabbed free wristbands that allowed them to get right next to the stage to brace the Boss as he laid down into the crowd performing a non-stop set. Springsteen jumped into the crowd several times, danced with a young girl during "Dancing in the Dark" and took a pile of signs with fans' song requests.

Springsteen played more than 30 songs over 3 1/2 hours making few comments between songs. He later thanked Milwaukee, and Willie G. Davidson, a grandson of a Harley-Davidson founder and the company's chief styling officer.

With nearly all 125,000 of the 105th-anniversary ticket packages sold out, Harley-Davidson officials are hinting there may be a 110th anniversary celebration, although they haven’t committed to it. But if the smiles of both the attending bikers as well as the Harley-Davidson staff are anything to go by, it might not be a bad idea to pencil it in.