Harley-Davidson Tank Logos: Early Logos
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:
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
- How Harley-Davidson Works
- How Choppers Work
- Chopper Profiles
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
Harley-Davidson Tank Logos: Later Logos
As Harley-Davidson evolved throughout the second half of the twentieth century, so did the Harley-Davidson tank logos. Below are more pictures of Harley's logos over the past few decades.
 1963-1965 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1963-1965: Though the up and down arrows defy explanation, this badge gained notoriety by gracing the first Electra-Glide and the last of the Panheads.
 1966-1971 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1966-1971: Harley returned to a plain, simple badge for 1966 that carried on into the AMF years. It enjoyed a long life by Harley standards of the day.
 1972-1976 Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1972-1976: Harley aficionados didn't particularly like the Motor Company's association with a sporting-goods manufacturer, and the addition of "AMF" to the tank badge didn't help matters any. Most were quickly removed.
Graphics became more diversified at this point, with several different logos appearing in a given year. Following are some examples of the interesting designs that graced Harley-Davidson tanks over the last couple of decades.
 1977-1978 FXS Low Rider Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1977-1978 FXS Low Rider: The first Low Riders wore graphics that mimicked the lettering used on a 1917 racer -- adding the requisite AMF logo, of course.
 1982 FXB Sturgis Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1982 FXB Sturgis: Finally out from under the AMF corporate umbrella (Harley management bought back the company in 1981), the 1982 Sturgis proudly wore the Motor Company's famed "bar and shield" logo -- sans AMF addendum.
 1988 FLSTC Harley-Davidson Tank Log |
1988 FLSTC: It was only appropriate that decals mimicking designs of old graced the retro-look Softail Custom.
 1993 FLSTN Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1993 FLSTN: You could have put almost any tank logo on the special-edition "Cow Glide" and it would have sold out, but this aviation-themed winged badge just added to the attraction.
 1993 FXDWG Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1993 FXDWG: Some 1993 models were given 90th anniversary graphics, including the Wide Glide.
 1994 FLHTC Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1994 FLHTC: Not only were there numerous different tank designs every year, they were all very attractive -- as evidenced by this decal from an Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
 1995 FXSTSB Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1995 FXSTSB: The Bad Boy wore an enameled metal badge reminiscent of a piece of jewelry. It was exclusive to this model and graced the Bad Boy's tank throughout its three-year life.
 1998 FXDWG Harley-Davidson Tank Logo |
1998 FXDWG: Many 1998 models could be ordered with 95th anniversary trim. Though the badge and color combination (deep maroon and champagne) were the same on each, the outline of the two-toning differed from model to model.
To learn more about Harley-Davidson and other classic motorcycles, see:
