Harley-Davidson Inc. chief executive officer Jeffrey L. Bleustein, the man credited with rebuilding the company in the early 1980s, said he will retire as chief executive in April.

Bleustein, 65, will continue as chairman of the board of directors, the company said.

Bleustein, the CEO since 1997 and chairman since 1998, was an employee of Harley's former corporate parent, American Machine and Foundry, when he and 12 others bought the business in 1981.