Harley-DavidsonŽ (1st Edition)

The Harley-DavidsonŽ (1st Edition), released by Stern Pinball in 1999, holds a special place in pinball history as the first game manufactured by the newly formed Stern Pinball, Incorporated. It continued the production run begun by Sega Pinball's own 1999 Harley-Davidson machine (Model 67), carrying the design forward under the new Stern label after Sega exited the pinball business.

Designed by Lonnie D. Ropp and John Borg, the game runs on the Sega/Stern Whitestar platform and features a toy motorcycle that performs "wheelies" by moving up and down on the playfield. Licensed music, including "Born to Be Wild" and "Bad to the Bone," reinforces the open-road, biker theme built around the Harley-Davidson brand.

As the first release under the Stern Pinball banner -- a company that continues to operate today -- the Harley-DavidsonŽ (1st Edition) marks an important transitional moment in pinball manufacturing history, and it was followed by a 2nd Edition and a 3rd Edition of the same title in later years.