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Harley Davidson Gas Tank History in Pictures
In Harley-Davidson's early years, engineering and technical advances
occur at a rapid pace. In contrast Harley gas tank and gas tank styling along with tank
graphics changed very little for the first three decades.
Though colors changes occasionally the changes were mostly done by
request of the the military.
It wasn't until the mid-'30s that the traditional Harley-Davidson tank
lettering gave way to more stylish graphics. After that, new designs changing more often than the motorcycles themselves.
Below is a large picture history of many of the Harley gas tanks that graced
many of the most memorable Harley motorcycles.
AS WITH MOST IMAGES click on image to enlarge
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Harley Davidson
Gas Tank History in Photos |
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New standard colors introduced in 1933 were combined with intricate
tank logos and hand-painted pin striping to create a striking look.
The art deco-inspired designs demonstrated the creativity and skill
of the company's employees. The tradition of developing new tank
designs to accompany changing paint schemes became a trademark of
Harley-Davidson style. |
1903-1932
Though colors changed occasionally, the same basic lettering was
used on Harley tanks for over three decades. |
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1933
The first change to the logo appeared in 1933 when a bird-like scroll
surrounded the usual lettering. |
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1934-1935
Replacing the 1933 Harley Bird
motif that one lasted a short one
year was the Flying Diamond
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1936-1939
A new tank logo was released the same year
same the Knucklehead motor It lasted only through
1939, |
1940-1950
1940 saw the first metal logo to grace a Harley gas tank. Since World War II
caused shortages, relatively few HD motorcycles carried it. |
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1947-1950
Harley Davidson Red "speedball"
Logo . This logo would grace the last Knucklehead and the first Panhead. |
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1951-1954
Classic Harley Davidson script 1954
saw the identical Harley script minus the underline
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1955-1956
This classic 1955 design added a background to the script along with a large
"V" to capitalize on Harley's famous V-twin motor.
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1957-1958
New tank emblem for the Sportster and Duo-Glide models
This was HD's first use of plastic for emblems. |
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1959-1960
The 1959 Arrowhead logo was larger and made of
metal as opposed to plastic from the previous
year. |
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1961-1962
Harley-Davidson ran the "gun sight" logo for two
short years. |
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1963-1965
This Harley logo would adorn the
first Electra-Glide and the last
Panhead. |
1966-1971
Harley-Davidson returned to a plain, simple badge for '66 that carried on
into the AMF years. |
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1972-1976 AMF Era
Most Harley Davidson
fans didn't particularly like the Motor Company's
association with a bowling ball manufacturer, the
"AMF" logo on the tank didn't help. |
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1977-1978
FXS Low
Rider
The first Low Riders wore graphic lettering
inspired from early Harley racing motorcycles.
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Harley
Racing Tank
Harley-Davidson racing
department used this lettering on it's race
bikes |
1988 Harley FLSTC
With the FLSTC retro-look it's only appropriate that decals mimicking
Harley designs of old would adorn this Softail Custom.
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1988 Harley FLSTS
With the FLSTS Harley took a nostalgia step into the past with this Softtail
Springer and its retro style front end. |
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1991 FXDB Sturgis Anniversary
Harleys first Sturgis model came with a
Shovelhead in 1980. The 91 edition was powered by a Evolution
V-twin |
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1992 FXDB
Daytona Anniversary
Harleys first true pearl paint job graces the tank along with a
decal announcing the 50th anniversary of Daytona
speed week. |
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FREE OFFER Extremely Rare 1917 Harley Davidson Brochure |
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This is a very rare Harley Davidson Motorcycles brochure
covering the full motorcycle lineup for 1917. Of the three dozen or more books
I own covering the Harley Davidson
Motorcycle Company not a single one has any images from inside
or outside of this brochure
Recently I became aware of just how rare this Harley brochure is. One of the items you receive
when becoming a member of the official Harley Davidson Museum is the book: 100 Years of Harley-Davidson Advertising. Surprisingly the book
doesn’t have a single image of what is easily the most beautiful engraved color
lithograph art work to ever grace a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Brochure.
Since no other publication ever displayed this, I wasn’t surprised when not a single image from this brochure could be found
in the official Harley Davidson Museum, which BTW is beautifully decorated from top to bottom with Harley Davidson advertisement material.
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Download one of the rarest Harley Davidson
Brochure FOR FREE
The download includes large desktop sized wallpapers of the color
lithograph cover and center spread along with the other full page images that
grace this rare brochure. Yours absolutely free for just signing up to HarleyDavidsonMuseum.com
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Harley Davidson Parts and Accessories |
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Harley Davidson parts and accessories
have become a important ingredient in the success of
both the company and dealers. The fact Harley formed
A separate parts and accessories department as early as 1912 proves
just how early Harley and the Davidson's realized the importance of these
items.
Arthur Davidson warned dealers that the company would not tolerate
affixing non Harley aftermarket parts on H-D bikes.
The Motor Company's reputation for durability and
performance helped Harley-Davidson stand out in
an increasingly crowded field of motorcycle manufactures.
He knew insisting on genuine parts and accessories would maintain that hard earned reputation.
RIGHT 1912 Harley Davidson parts and accessories
catalog |
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Harleys first
Motorcycle Trike called the Servi-Car first
appeared in late 1931 as a '32 model. Built in response to Indian's popular Dispatch Tow three-
wheeler. Previously, Sidecar rigs had been modified for various
commercial applications, but the Forty-five powered motorcycle trike was a better multi-purpose machine.
Both manufacturers offered optional tow bars with the three-wheelers,
which automotive service shops found useful for picking up and returning cars
due for service. A single employee could ride to the client's site, tow the
Servi-Car back to the shop, return the car, unhook the trike and ride back.
The three-wheelers also found wide use as light-duty delivery vehicles and
made perfect meter maid vehicles for city police departments..
RIGHT 1932 sees the release of
the
Harley Trike |
click on image to
view enlarged version
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Harley Davidson Gas Tank History in Photos
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New standard colors introduced in 1933 ushered in a new era in
Harley gas tanks
Harley gas tanks
. Combining intricate
tank logos and hand-painted pin striping the
Harley gas tank
became works of art.
The art deco-inspired designs demonstrated the creativity and skill
of the company's employees. The tradition of developing new gas tank
designs to accompany changing paint schemes became a trademark of
Harley-Davidson style. |
1909 was the first year Harley-Davidson released
more than one model, adding its first twin-cylinder
engine. However, the first twins were recalled,
so single-cylinder bikes like the Model 5 remained
the mainstays.
Model 5 - 30ci (500cc) single, 28in wheels, battery ignition Price $210
Model 5A - 30ci F-head single, 28in wheels, magneto Price $250
Model 5B - 30ci F-head single, 26in wheels, battery ignition Price $210
Model 5C - 30ci F-head single, 26in wheels, magneto Price $250
Model 5D - 50ci (819cc) F-head V-twin, magnet Prices Price $325
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Home
Harley Sidecars
Harley Trikes
Harley Davidson Sportster
Harley Davidson Accessories
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Harley Model List
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Harley 1957 Models
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Harley 1958 Models
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Harley 1959 Models
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Harley 1960 Models
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Harley History 1933 |
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Harley Davidson
Olive Green is replaced by a variety of standard colors; bird
tank graphics
gas tank graphics
appear signaling
first real change in three decades.
With the depression grow worse total U.S. motorcycle production plummets from 32,000 cycles annually during the late
1920s to just 6,000 by 1933. Harley-Davidson builds over half the motorcycles built in the U.S.
With 3,700 total motorcycles produced.
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Harley Motor Oil |
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January 1937
Harley Davidson
Enthusiast Promotes the new Harley Davidson Motor Oil.
The ad goes on to say:
Harley-Davidson engineers have perfected a new Medium
Heavy grade of Harley-Davidson oil.
The new Medium Heavy Oil is ideally suited to and
recommended for the exclusive, year 'round lubrication needs
of the 61 " OHV motors. Your Harley-Davidson dealer stocks
genuine Harley-Davidson Oil in the refinery sealed handy
quart size containers. Accept no substitute to genuine
Harley Davidson parts and accessories
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Harley Trike |
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Harley Davidson's
Package Truck
was offered in a
number of configurations.
Using a modified version of the sidecar chassis,
the frame and body were just a few dollars more than
the
sidecar.
Model MXP Package Truck shown above, with Harley-Davidson designed snubbers,
Alemite fittings, Timken roller bearing hub, 48 inch road tread, $150 at factory.
Chassis complete without body, $65 at factory. Prices do not include motorcycle.
Harley Davidson also offered other
parts and accessoriess
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Harley History 1910 |
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The famed
Harley Davidson"Bar & Shield" logo is used for the first time in 1910.
It is trademarked at the U.S. Patent office one year later.
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Sportster 883 |
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Harley Sportster XLCH
A racier version of the
Sportster was introduced in 1959 under the XLCH
tag. Intended as a performance-oriented on/off road machine
it differed from its street XLH sportster by
sporting magneto ignition, high-mounted exhaust pipe, "peanut"
fuel tank (barrowed from the hummer) , "bobbed" rear fender, and semi-knobby tires. Tank badges were also different, being of a design shared by some of Harley's contemporary racing bikes. The XLCH also
debuted the "eyebrow" headlight cover that remains a Sportster trademark
to this day.
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Harley
Davidson Panhead |
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In 1948, the FL, with redesigned rocker covers for the cylinder head, got the name of Panhead. Hydraulic valve lifters caused less engine noise,
ran cooler with aluminum heads, and needed less maintenance.
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Harley Dealer |
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In 1907, at age 14, Dudley Perkins rode his first Reading Standard Cycle. Perkins along with Al Maggini
opened their own Harley-Davidson dealership in California . They promoted the bikes by racing them.
As world war II was coming to an end, Dudley Perkins saw the need to purchase the 80,000 plus bikes produced by H-D for the military.
He had them repainted and ready for sale as the war ended. Dealer sales escalated as the veterans demand for bikes came into full swing.
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Harley Sportster |
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The
Harley Sportster
era begans in 1957 when Harley Davidson introduced an overhead-valve,
54-cubic-inch engine (883cc). Before that, Harley motorcycles were side-valves
(Flatheads). In 1957, Harley Davidson released the
overhead-valve cylinder heads, which gave the motorcycle increased
horsepower and performance. Today there are many iterations of the Sportster.
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Harley 50th |
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In
1953 marked the fiftieth year of business for Harley-Davidson.
To commemorate the event, a logo was designed, depicting a "V"
symbolic of the engine configuration, crossed by the company name
and embossed lettering stating "50 years American made." This brass
medallion logo would grace the front fenders of all 1954 models.
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