All Harley Davidson Tank Emblems by Year
The Harley Davidson Tank Emblems have evolved significantly over time, telling the story of American motorcycle culture through design. Here's a comprehensive collection of all emblems, arranged chronologically.
1903-1932: The Classic Beginning
Simple, clean lettering dominated Harley tanks for over three decades. Despite occasional color variations, this minimalist design set the foundation for future emblems. Perfect for vintage gas tanks and traditional builds. This design's timeless simplicity makes it particularly popular for stripped-down bobber builds and classic restorations.
1933: The Bird Scroll
A significant departure from tradition introduced a bird-like scroll surrounding the classic lettering. Available in multiple color options, this design marked Harley's first major emblem evolution. Custom painters often recreate this emblem with modern color schemes for a unique blend of vintage and contemporary style.
1934-1935: The Flying Diamond Era
Replacing the short-lived Bird motif, the Flying Diamond design complemented leather accessories particularly well. Though brief, this era produced highly sought-after emblems. The diamond shape creates an excellent focal point when designing custom tank graphics.
1936-1939: The Knucklehead Companion
Released alongside the legendary Knucklehead motor, this compact but impactful design represented Harley's technological advancement. Many builders consider this emblem the perfect choice for authenticity when restoring Knucklehead-era motorcycles.
1940-1950: The Metal Revolution
Harley's first metal tank logo - a rare find due to WWII material shortages. Particularly striking on two-tone tanks, these emblems represent a pivotal moment in motorcycle design. The dimensional quality of this metal emblem adds depth to any tank paint scheme.
1947-1950: The Speedball Era
The iconic red "speedball" logo adorned both the last Knucklehead and first Panhead models. Available in various colors, it epitomized 1950s motorcycle design. This emblem's bold curves work exceptionally well with scalloped paint jobs and period-correct customs.
1951-1954: The Classic Script
A refined, understated design featuring the Harley script without underlining. Though subtle from a distance, it maintained the brand's premium appeal. The clean lines of this script make it perfect for minimalist builds focusing on simplicity.
1955-1956: The V-Twin Pride
Added a bold background and prominent "V" to celebrate Harley's famous V-Twin motor. Short-lived but influential. Modern builders often incorporate this design when highlighting engine modifications.
1957-1958: The Plastic Pioneer
Marking Harley's first use of plastic emblems, this simple round design appeared on Sportster and Duo-Glide models. The circular shape creates excellent symmetry for custom pinstriping work.
1959-1960: The Metal Arrowhead
Larger than its predecessor and crafted from metal, the Arrowhead design proved exceptionally durable. This emblem's angular design provides an excellent template for contemporary interpretations.
1961-1962: The Gun Sight
A bold departure focusing on the distinctive gun sight motif rather than lettering. Its unique military-inspired design remains popular with builders creating themed customs.
1963-1965: The Electra-Glide Era
Featuring italic font, this emblem adorned the first Electra-Glide and final Panhead models. The dynamic italic styling adds movement to any tank design.
1966-1971: The Classic Return
A return to simplicity that carried into the AMF years, reflecting late 60s aesthetic preferences. This straightforward design works particularly well with period-correct cafe racer conversions.
1972-1976: The AMF Years
Though controversial at the time, the AMF-era logo has gained appreciation among custom builders for its distinctive character. The bold typography makes this emblem stand out on dark paint schemes.
1977-1978: The Low Rider Legacy
Inspired by early Harley racing motorcycles, this graphic lettering debuted on the first Low Riders. The racing-inspired design adds an aggressive touch to any custom build.
Racing Department Special
The racing department's distinctive lettering remains popular for custom Sportster bobber builds. Its competition heritage makes it particularly fitting for performance-focused customs.
1988: The Heritage Collection
FLSTC: Simple, retro-inspired decals honoring Harley's historic designs. The understated approach works beautifully with traditional paint schemes.
FLSTS: Featured the original badge with prominent eagle emblem. The eagle motif adds patriotic flair to any custom project.
1991-1992: Anniversary Editions
1991 FXDB Sturgis: Evolution V-twin powered celebration. This commemorative design adds historical significance to any build.
1992 FXDB Daytona: Showcased Harley's first pearl paint job with expansive wing graphics. The pearl finish revolutionized custom paint possibilities.
Design Note: Each emblem represents not just a logo change, but a chapter in motorcycle culture. Custom builders often reference these historic designs to add authenticity to their projects.
