AMF owned Harley-Davidson from 1969 until Harley management bought the company back in 1981.
AMF, originally known as American Machine and Foundry, acquired Harley-Davidson in 1969. During the AMF era, Harley-Davidson expanded production, but the company also faced quality concerns, labor problems, and growing competition from Japanese motorcycle manufacturers.
In 1981, a group of Harley-Davidson executives led a leveraged buyout and regained control of the company. The transaction became an important turning point, and Harley-Davidson later emphasized quality improvements, distinctive styling, and a stronger relationship with customers.
The buyback is sometimes described simply as Harley-Davidson becoming independent again, but AMF’s ownership was a corporate acquisition rather than a merger with another motorcycle brand. The event also preceded Harley-Davidson’s 1986 public offering and the company’s later expansion.