Restore   Chapter 60   Paint Colors   1948-1957 Documentation and Discussion ←  Up  →     

Paint Colors (continued)

Each of the Year-Model chapters in How To Restore presents, in our opinion, the paint colors available for that particular year and model.
This chapter examines the Club's research - showing how we arrived at our opinion.

Introductory Information
1948 - 1957 Documentation and Discussion
1958 - 1966 Documentation and Discussion
Paint Chips

1948-1957 Documentation and Discussion

1948 - 1957 - General

These bikes had the gas tank, fenders, and front fork panel painted a "main" color. The frame, front fork, chainguard, headlight shell, battery box, wheel hubs, and other small parts were painted black. Wheel rims and handlebars, if not chrome, were also painted black.

1948 Model 125

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Brilliant Black
Optional Colors: None
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Brilliant Black
TLB (opt) None
SOB: Does not show Model 125
GES Not available
ENT Does not specify
Discussion
TLB References the 1949 documentation.
SOB The 1948 Model 125 was released mid-year, and was not included on the SOB.
ENT April 1948, "Presenting the Model 125"

1949 Model 125

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Brilliant Black
Optional Colors: None
Optional Colors (May 6, 1949 - later): Flight Red, Azure Blue
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Brilliant Black
TLB (opt) None
SOB (std): "Black Only"
GES Not available
FTD Spring Special: Flight Red, Azure Blue, extra charge
Discussion
FTD The "Spring Special" was dated May 6, 1949. - document available here on this website.

1950 Model 125

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Brilliant Black, Flight Red, Riviera Blue, Sportsman's Yellow
Optional Colors: None
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Brilliant Black, Flight Red, Riviera Blue, Sportsman's Yellow
TLB (opt) None
SOB (std) Brilliant Black, Flight Red, Riviera Blue, Sportsman's Yellow
SOB (opt) Metallic Green, Flight Red, Azure Blue, White
GES (st) Riviera Blue, Sportman Yellow
GES (sp) Azure Blue, Flight Red, Metallic Green
ADV Brilliant Black, Flight Red, Riviera Blue, Sportsman's Yellow
Discussion
SOB Shows the standard Model 125 colors in a separate section.
SOB Shows Metallic Green, Flight Red, Azure Blue, White in other models section.
There is no corroboration for availability on Model 125, except GES for Azure Blue.
GES Shows Azure Blue as special for Model 125.  Azure Blue was a "Spring Special" in 1949.
However, absent other corroborative documentation, we consider GES to be in error.
GES Does not show Brilliant Black (or Black). We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Flight Red as special. It was special on big twins, but standard on Model 125.
ADV Feb 1950 Science & Mechanics - document available here on this website

1951 Model 125

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Persian Red, Rio Blue, Sportman's Yellow
Optional Colors: Metallic Green, Metallic Blue
Optional Colors (April 3, 1951 - later): Spring Green
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Sportman’s Yellow
TLB (opt) Metallic Green, Metallic Blue
SOB (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Sportman's Yellow
SOB (opt) Metallic Green, Metallic Blue
GES (st) Persian Red, Red, Rio Blue, Sportman Yellow
GES (sp) Metallic Blue, Metallic Green
ENT (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Sportman's Yellow
ENT (opt) Metallic Blue, Metallic Green
ADV (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Sportman's Yellow
ADV (opt) Metallic Blue, Metallic Green
FTD (opt) Spring Special: Spring Green
Discussion
GES Both Persian Red and "Red" are shown. We consider "Red" to be in error.
ENT September 1950 - document available here on this website.
ADV Two dealer pamplets - documents available here and here on this website.
FTD Spring Special - document available here on this website.

1952 Model 125

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Persian Red, Rio Blue, Tropical Green
Optional Colors: [Metallic] Marine Blue
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Tropical Green
TLB (opt) [Metallic] Marine Blue
SOB (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Tropical Green
SOB (opt) Marine Blue Metallic
GES (st) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Tropical Green
GES (sp) Bronco Bronze, Marine Blue [Metallic], White
ENT (std) Persian Red, Rio Blue, Tropical Green
ENT (opt) Metallic Marine Blue
Discussion
SOB Has a separate section for Model 125.
SOB Shows Bronco Bronze as optional for K, OHV, G-GA, but not Model 125.
GES Shows Bronco Bronze for Model 125.  No corroboration. We consider this to be in error .
GES Shows White for Model 125.  No corroboration. We consider this to be in error.
ENT September 1951 - document available here on this website.

1953 Model 165

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
Optional Colors: Glamour Green
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
TLB (opt) Glamour Green
SOB (std) Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
SOB (opt) Glamour Green
GES (st) Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
GES (sp) Glamour Green
Discussion
SOB Has a separate section for Model 125 standard and optional colors.
GES shows "B" (for Hummer) instead of "S" for Model 125.  We consider this to be in error.

1954 Model 165

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Anniversary Yellow, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
Optional Colors: None
Optional Colors (February 26, 1954 - later): Tank Brilliant Black with /3" Daytona Ivory stripe ecircling the tank, fenders and fork panel Daytona Ivory
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Anniversary Yellow, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
TLB (opt) None
SOB (std) Anniversary Yellow, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
SOB (opt) Forest Green tanks / Daytona Ivory fenders
Glacier Blue tanks / Daytona Ivory fenders
Pepper Red tanks / Daytona Ivory fenders
Daytona Ivory tanks / Forest Green fenders
Daytona Ivory tanks / Glacier Blue fenders
Daytona Ivory tanks / Pepper Red fenders
GES (st) Anniversary Yellow, Black, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Olive Green, Pepper Red
GES (sp) None
ENT (std) All models - Anniversary Yellow, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
ENT (opt) KH/74 OHV/Servi-Car only – tanks one color and the fenders another (See SOB above)
ADV (std) Anniversary Yellow, Daytona Ivory, Forest Green, Glacier Blue, Pepper Red
ADV (opt) None
FTD (opt) Spring Special: Tank Brilliant Black with /3" Daytona Ivory stripe ecircling the tank, fenders and fork panel Daytona Ivory
Discussion
TLB Shows two-tone combinations for KH/74 OHV/Servi-Car only
SOB Has a single consolidated color section for all models.
GES Shows both "B" and "S".  We consider the "B" (1955-later Hummer) designation to be in error.
GES Shows Olive Green for "B" and "S" in 1954 and 1955.  No corroboration.  We consider this to be in error.
ENT September 1953 – "Presenting the 1954 Golden Anniversary Harley-Davidsons"
Document available here on this website.
ENT Shows two-tone combinations for KH/74 OHV/Servi-Car only
ADV "Golden Anniversary Model 165" pamphlet - document available here on this website.
FTD Spring Special - document available here and here on this website.
Undocumented Colors
There exists the possibility that the factory produced some bikes with the "two-tone" paint scheme listed for KH/74 OHV/Servi-Car only.
We would consider an original paint bike to be correct.
However, we feel that restorers should not use this paint scheme.

1955 Hummer

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
Optional Colors: None
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
TLB (opt) None
SOB Not applicable - Hummer not released until mid-year
LOB Not available
GES (st) Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Olive Green, Pepper Red, Tangerine Orange
GES (sp) Hollywood Green
ENT (std) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
ENT (opt) None
Discussion
GES Shows Anniversary Yellow for Hummer.  No corroboration. We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Aztec Brown for Hummer and Model 165.  We believe this is in error, and that Aztec Brown was only available on the Model 165.
GES Shows Black for Hummer.  No corroboration. We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Hollywood Green for Hummer instead of Model 165. We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Olive Green for Hummer.  No corroboration. We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Tangerine Orange for 1955 Hummer.  TLB and SOB show this to be used only on 1956 Model 165.  We consider this to be in error.
ENT March 1955 – "Announcing the New Harley-Davidson Hummer" - document available here on this website.

1955 Model 165

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Pepper Red
Optional Colors: Hollywood Green
Factory Documents
TLB Not available. "Written description for all models but Hummer not available".
SOB (std) Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Pepper Red
SOB (opt) "All Models" - Hollywood Green
SOB (opt) "Any combination of tanks in one color and fenders in another using our standard colors except Hollywood Green, will be supplied at no extra charge"
GES (st) Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Olive Green, Pepper Red
GES (sp) None
ENT (std) Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Pepper Red
ENT (opt) None.
ADV Anniversary Yellow, Atomic Blue, Aztec Brown, Black, Pepper Red
Discussion
SOB Has a single consolidated colors section.
SOB Shows Hollywood Green for "all models".  We believe this does not include Hummer, as the Hummer was not formally announced until mid-year – February 1955.
SOB Shows combinations available, but ENT restricts to other models.  We consider ENT to be authoritative.
GES Shows Olive Green for Model 165.  No corroboration.  We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Hollywood Green for Hummer, instead of Model 165. We consider this to be in error.
ENT September 1954 - New Model Introduction issue for 1955
ADV 1955 Model 165 Brochure. Document available here on this website.

1956 Hummer

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
Optional Colors: None
Optional Colors (December 27, 1955 - later): Tampico Green, Sun Gold
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
TLB (opt) None
LOB (std) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
LOB (opt) None
DOB (opt) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red, Tampico Green, Sun Gold
GES (st) Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red
GES (sp) Sun Gold, Tampico Green
FTD Atomic Blue, Pepper Red, Sun Gold, Tampico Green — Spring Special - DOB document available here on this website.
Discussion
TLB TLB and LOB agree on colors
GES Shows Champion Yellow for Hummer instead of Model 165.  We consider this to be in error.
FTD Shows Sun Gold and Tampico Green as special. The DOB shows "Prices Effective December 27, 1955". It is unknown whether these colors were available then, or in the normal April-May "Spring Special" timeframe.
Notes
Sun Gold - the only other known use of this color in the 1950-1969 era is on the 1969 Aermacchi M-50 model.
Tampico Green - there is no other use of this color in the 1950-1969 era.

1956 Model 165

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red, Tangerine
Optional Colors: None
Optional Colors (December 27, 1955 - later): Tampico Green, Sun Gold
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red, Tangerine
TLB (opt) None
LOB (std) Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red, Tangerine
LOB (opt) None
DOB (opt) Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red, Tangerine, Tampico Green, Sun Gold
GES (st) Atomic Blue, Pepper Red
GES (sp) Sun Gold, Tampico Green
FTD Atomic Blue, Champion Yellow, Pepper Red, Tangerine, Sun Gold, Tampico Green — Spring Special - DOB document available here on this website.
Discussion
GES Does not show Tangerine.  It does incorrectly show it for 1955 Hummer.  We consider this to be in error.
GES Shows Champion Yellow for Hummer instead of Model 165. We consider this to be in error.
FTD Shows Sun Gold and Tampico Green as special. The DOB shows "Prices Effective December 27, 1955". It is unknown whether these colors were available then, or in the normal April-May "Spring Special" timeframe.
Notes
Sun Gold - the only other known use of this color in the 1950-1969 era is on the 1969 Aermacchi M-50 model.
Tampico Green - there is no other use of this color in the 1950-1969 era.

1957 Hummer and Model 165

Opinion of the Harley Hummer Club
Standard Colors: Birch White, High Fire, Pepper Red, Skyline Blue
Optional Colors: None
Factory Documents
TLB (std) Birch White, High Fire, Pepper Red, Skyline Blue
TLB (opt) None
LOB (std) Birch White, High Fire, Pepper Red, Skyline Blue
LOB (opt) None
GES (st) Birch White, High Fire [Red], Pepper Red, Skyline Blue
GES (sp) Nugget Gold
ENT (std) Birch White, High Fire, Pepper Red, Skyline Blue
ENT (opt) None
Discussion
--- Hummer and Model 165 offered in the same colors
GES Shows Nugget Gold as special for Hummer, Model 165, 74 and Sportster. This is the only use of this color during 1950-1969. There is no corroboration. We consider this to be in error.
ENT September 1956 - "Presenting […] the 1957 Harley-Davidson Line"
Question
GES's mention of Nugget Gold raise the possibility of a mid-year special.
However, absent corroborative documentation, we consider GES to be in error.
Introductory Information 1948 - 1957 Documentation and Discussion 1958 - 1966 Documentation and Discussion Paint Chips

  Last updated: May 07, 2012 ←  Up  →