A major Harley-Davidson shareholder is fighting to shake up the motorcycle maker’s board and quickly replace its chief executive in the face of deteriorating sales. In an open letter Wednesday, investment firm H Partners urged shareholders to remove three longstanding directors from Harley’s eight-member board at a coming annual meeting in mid-May.

Davidson's shareholders to remove three directors from the board, including its CEO, holding them responsible for the company's declining sales and falling stock price.

One of the largest shareholders in Harley-Davidson Inc. called for the immediate removal of Chief Executive Officer Jochen Zeitz and two other board members, escalating a feud that has spilled into the public eye in recent weeks.