A member of the investment firm H Partners resigned from Harley’s board earlier this month in preparation for a fight.

(Reuters) - U.S. investment firm H Partners is preparing to launch a fight to shake up Harley-Davidson's board and replace its CEO in the face of deteriorating sales, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

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.