As Harley - Davidson motorcycles switch , so did their armored combat vehicle logos . See the phylogeny of Harley ’s storage tank logotype and notice out which ones Harley fans loved and hated . Above , the early Word show the trademark colors – they were alter occasionally , but the same introductory lettering was used on Harley tanks for over three decades .
The first modification to the Harley - Davidson logo appeared in 1933 , when a bird - similar scroll beleaguer the common inscription .
The " bird " motif live on only a yr and was interchange by the " flying baseball field " excogitation in 1934 .
With the new Knucklehead engine do a new armoured combat vehicle logotype in 1936 . Though it lasted only through 1939 , a similar intent has seem on some late modelling .
In 1940 , Harley introduce its first alloy logotype , which was used until 1946 . Because World War II interrupted its land tenure , relatively few motorcycles carry this logotype . However , a near - written matter is wear down by the current 1940s - retro Old Boy .
Used from 1947 - 1950 , this simple design usher out the Knucklehead and ushered in the Panhead – and the Hydra - Glide .
1951 - 1954 : Arguably among the best of Harley ’s tank Son , this classic script design was introduced in 1951 . In 1954 the same book was used but the underscore vanished .
The 1955 design added a background to the script along with a large " V " to capitalize on Harley ’s illustrious Little Phoebe - twin motor . It ’s another classic .
Introduced in 1957 , this circular logo was accommodate to the first Sportster and the first Duo - Glide . Two - tone up paint was used on fuel tank in 1956 , but the schemes were more definitive for 1957 - 1958 .
The 1959 - 60 arrowhead logotype was larger and more colorful that the late one , and seemed to trifle off the 1947 - 1950 design .
The 1961 - 62 " shooter great deal " logo was arguably less attractive than its arrowhead predecessor , and certainly less colorful .
Though the up and down arrows defy account , this badge from 1963 - 65 take in ill fame by embellish the first Electra - Glide and the last of the Panheads .
Harley returned to a plain , simple badge for 1966 that carried on into the AMF age , through 1971 . It enjoyed a longsighted life story by Harley standards of the Clarence Day .
Harley aficionados did n’t specially like the Motor Company ’s association with a sporting - goods manufacturer , and the increase of " AMF " to the armoured combat vehicle badge in 1972 did n’t help matter any . Most were quickly remove . Graphics became more diversified at this point , with several different logos appearing in a given twelvemonth .
The first 1977 Low Riders wore computer graphic that mime the lettering used on a 1917 racer – adding the needed AMF logotype , of course .
Finally out from under the AMF bodied umbrella ( Harley direction bought back the company in 1981 ) , the 1982 Sturgis proudly wore the Motor Company ’s famed " barroom and shield " logo – sans AMF postscript .
It was only appropriate that decal mimic designs of old graced the retro - look 1988 Softail Custom .
Harley could have put almost any tank logotype on the exceptional - edition " Cow Glide " and it would have sold out , but this airmanship - themed winged badge just added to the 1993 attraction .
Some 1993 models were have 90th anniversary computer graphic , including the Wide Glide .
Not only were there legion unlike tank designs each year , but they were all very attractive , too – as evidenced by this decal from a 1994 Ultra Classic Electra Glide .
The 1995 Bad Boy wear upon an enameled metal badge reminiscent of a piece of jewellery . It was exclusive to this model and graced the Bad Boy ’s tank throughout its three - year life .
Many 1998 models could be ordered with 95th day of remembrance trim . Though the badge and coloring material combination ( deep maroon and champagne ) were the same on each , the abstract of the two - toning differed from model to role model . Explore moreHarley - Davidson historyand then screen your Harley - Davidson knowledge .
