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Restore
Chapter 60
Paint Colors
1948-1957 Documentation and Discussion
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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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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. |