In 1937 a certain Gordon Willey, a passionate aviator from Illinois, decided to quit a secure job with Railway Express Agency and to start a motorcycle accessory venture in the depths of the Great Depression.
With creativity, inventiveness and perseverance, he developed new designs and patents in rearview mirrors, fender tips, saddlebags and motorcycle windshields. Gordon’s business, known then as The Nation’s Cycle Center, evolved and successfully grew into today’s National Cycle, of Maywood, Illinois, which this year celebrates the 80th anniversary of Gordon’s decision.
Nowadays, National Cycle is known as the international motorcycle industry leader in hardcoated polycarbonate windshields, quick release mount systems, multi-adjustable and tilting windshields for UTVs and motorcycles, and is noted for its proprietary Quantum Hardcoating and renowned aeroacoustic VStream windscreen designs.
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| Founder’s son Barry Willey, President/CEO (right) and Sales and Marketing Ann Willey, seen here with former Harley man Jim Graham (left) - recently appointed as National Cycle’s Vice President |
As the world’s leading motorcycle windshield manufacturer, National Cycle celebrates 2017 under the ownership of the second generation of the Willey family. It’s rare for a company to survive that long in a highly competitive marketplace, and this strength and success is determined not only by the products it makes and the customer loyalty it has earned, but by its contribution to the advancement of design and manufacturing technology.
The company’s innovation has determined today’s product categories and inspired modern motorcycle design, from its patented cone-back mirror that still shapes how motorcycle rearview mirrors are made today, to hardcoated polycarbonate windshields that have influenced every OEM manufacturer in the world making two-wheeled and urban mobility vehicles.
Now its VStream windscreens and urban mobility transport are changing the way the industry thinks about the entire concept of powersports windshields, and its aerodynamically tuned replacement windshields are at the forefront of comfort and protection for Harley riders the world over.
www.nationalcycle.com