# Past Times Pinball History Ep 22: Harley Davidson

**Source:** Past Times Arcade  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2024-07-11  
**Duration:** 1m 42s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It4GO1jmF7w

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## Analysis

Pastimes Arcade presents a historical overview of the 1999 Sega Harley-Davidson pinball machine, tracing its lineage through Data East (founded 1985 from Stern Electronics) and Sega (acquired Data East in 1994). The game is positioned as historically significant: the last machine produced by Sega before Gary Stern purchased the division to establish Stern Pinball, and the first game released under the new Stern Pinball brand. The machine proved successful enough to warrant two additional production runs in 2002 and 2004.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Data East was founded in 1985 by purchasing Stern Electronics — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] Sega acquired Data East in 1994 — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] Harley-Davidson (1999) was the last game produced by Sega Pinball — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] Gary Stern purchased Sega Pinball during the Harley-Davidson production run — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] Bally Williams closed in 1999 with Star Wars Episode I as their final game — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] Harley-Davidson received a second production run in 2002 with identical playfield and design — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [HIGH] A third production run of 300 units was released in 2004 — _Direct historical statement in video narration_
- [MEDIUM] Pinball was dying in 1999 — _Narrative context provided by host describing industry conditions_

### Notable Quotes

> "This game was the last game produced by Sega. They continued the production run under Stern Pinball with the only difference being Stern's logo in the backglass."
> — **Pastimes Arcade Host**, mid-video
> _Establishes the continuity between Sega and Stern Pinball ownership during production_

> "Gary Stern came in and said, 'I'm going to create Stern Pinball,' and he purchased Sega Pinball during this production run."
> — **Pastimes Arcade Host**, early-mid video
> _Key narrative moment explaining Stern Pinball's founding and acquisition of Sega assets_

> "Historically significant: not only the last game made by Sega, but the first game that created Stern Pinball."
> — **Pastimes Arcade Host**, near-end
> _Summarizes the dual historical importance of Harley-Davidson to both companies_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Sega Pinball | company | Owned pinball manufacturing 1994-1999; acquired Data East; sold to Gary Stern who founded Stern Pinball |
| Stern Pinball | company | Founded by Gary Stern after purchasing Sega Pinball in 1999; continues production of Harley-Davidson after acquisition |
| Data East | company | Pinball manufacturer founded 1985 from Stern Electronics; acquired by Sega in 1994 |
| Stern Electronics | company | Historical company purchased by Data East in 1985 to establish that company |
| Bally Williams | company | Major pinball manufacturer that closed in 1999; final game was Star Wars Episode I |
| Gary Stern | person | Founder of Stern Pinball; purchased Sega Pinball division during Harley-Davidson production run |
| John Borg | person | Lead designer of 1999 Harley-Davidson pinball machine alongside Lonnie R |
| Lonnie R | person | Lead designer of 1999 Harley-Davidson pinball machine alongside John Borg |
| Pastimes Arcade | venue | Location hosting the 1999 Sega Harley-Davidson machine; produces pinball history video series |
| Harley-Davidson (1999 Sega) | game | Last game produced by Sega Pinball; first game released under Stern Pinball brand after acquisition; received 2002 and 2004 reissues |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Pinball industry history and consolidation, Company acquisitions and ownership transitions, Stern Pinball founding and early production
- **Secondary:** End of Bally Williams era, Game designer recognition, Production runs and reissues

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Host presents historical information in a matter-of-fact, documentary tone without editorial commentary. Tone is informative and respectful of the machine's historical significance.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** 1999 marked critical inflection point for pinball industry: Bally Williams closed, Sega Pinball transferred ownership to newly founded Stern Pinball, consolidating manufacturing to single major producer. (confidence: high) — Host explicitly states 'at this time pinball was dying' and documents closure of Bally Williams same year with Stern Pinball acquisition of Sega assets
- **[business_signal]** Harley-Davidson received three separate production runs (1999, 2002, 2004) despite being released during period of industry decline, indicating strong market demand and successful game design. (confidence: high) — Host states game 'was very successful' and notes 'In 2002...they released a second production run' and 'In 2004, Stern actually released a third production run of 300 units.'
- **[event_signal]** Harley-Davidson represents pivotal transition point in pinball manufacturing lineage: Data East (1985) → Sega (1994) → Stern Pinball (1999), with ownership changes occurring during single product's production run. (confidence: high) — Host traces full lineage: 'In 1985, Data East was founded...Later in 1994, Sega bought out Data East...Gary Stern came in and...purchased Sega Pinball during this production run'

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## Transcript

[Music] for this episode of Past Times Arcade pinball history you're feature this 1999 Sega Harley-Davidson lead designers Lonnie R and John bour before we talk about this let's go back to 1985 in 1985 Data East was founded by perching Stern Electronics later in 1994 Sega bought out Data East which brings us to this game so this is 1999 and at this time pinball was dying Gary Stern came in and said I'm going to create Stern Pinball and he purchased Sega pinball during this production run so this game was The Last Arcade game produced by Sega they continued the production run under Stern Pinball with the only difference being Stern's logo in the backglass now when this game was released in 1999 it was the same year that Bal Williams ended up closing their doors as well with their final game being Star Wars Episode 1 as American Pinball 2000 division this game was very successful and in 2002 was Stern being the only main manufacturer left they released a second production run exact same Playfield exact same design two years later 2004 Stern actually released a third production of this game of 300 units historically significant not only The Last Arcade game made by Sega but the first game that created Stern Pinball come on in check out this 1999 Harley-Davidson at pastimes arcade

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 6eaab407-7ac8-4cf3-8f63-d0d5ae217c0f*