In Harley-Davidson's early years, engineering and styling advanced quickly and steadily in the evolution from motorized bicycle to true motorcycle. Conversely, tank graphics changed very little, and it wasn't until the mid-1930s that the traditional Harley-Davidson tank lettering gave way to more stylish graphics. After that, new designs came every few years, changing more-and more often-than the motorcycles themselves. As a result, tank graphics are often the best way to determine a restored bike's relative vintage.
Below are pictures of some of Harley-Davidson's early logos:
 1930-1932 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo See more motorcycle pictures. |
1903-1932: Though colors were altered occasionally, the same basic lettering was used on Harley tanks for over three decades.
 1933 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1933: The first change to the logo appeared in 1933 when a bird-like scroll surrounded the usual lettering.
 1934-1935 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1934-1935: Replacing the "bird" motif that lasted only a year was the "flying diamond" design of 1934.
 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1936-1939: With the new Knucklehead engine came a new tank logo. Though it lasted only through 1939, a similar design has appeared on some recent models.
 1940-1946 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1940-1946: This was Harley's first metal logo (as opposed to a decal). Since World War II interrupted its tenure, relatively few motorcycles carried it. However, a near-copy is worn by the current 1940s-retro Old Boy.
 1947-1950 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1947-1950: This simple design ushered out the Knucklehead and ushered in the Panhead -- and the Hydra-Glide.
 1951-1954 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1951-1954: Arguably among the best of Harley's tank logos, this script design is a classic. In 1954 the same script was used but the underline vanished.
 1955-1956 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1955-1956: The 1955 design added a background to the script along with a large "V" to capitalize on Harley's famous V-twin motor. It's another classic.
 1957-1958 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1957-1958: This circular logo was fitted to the first Sportster and the first Duo-Glide. Two-toned paint was used on fuel tanks in 1956, but the schemes were more definitive for 1957-1958.
 1959-1960 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1959-1960: The arrowhead logo was larger and more colorful that the previous one, and seemed to play off the 1947-1950 design.
 1961-1962 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1961-1962: The "gun sight" logo was arguably less attractive than its arrowhead predecessor, and certainly less colorful.
Keep reading for more Harley-Davidson logos.
To learn more about Harley-Davidson and other classic motorcycles, see:
