56 tank emblems

[Gregg]

I need to change my tank emblems from the 57 style, which were put on the bike in the early 70's, to the 56 style. I assume the only thing I'll be able to get in a decent time frame is a set of repops.
My question is are all the repops the same? does anyone make a better quality set, or are they all off the same boat?
Finally, is there a source for originals?
Thanks
Gregg

[RUBONE]

Gregg,
First question, do you have the correct '55-'56 tanks? Next, are your tanks true '57s?
If no to the first question you are not going to get real ones to fit without some work. If your tanks don't have the right mounting strips in the right place you will have to create them or find the correct tanks. '57-'58 tanks are quite different in the mounting area.
Aftermarket types have stick on mounts. And the quality is pretty much all the same. The H-D sold Eagle Iron branded ones seemed to be pretty good.
Check your tanks first!
And eBay is probably your best source for originals.
Robbie

[DaveSwanson]

The emblems available from your local HD shop are excellent and are perfect for restorations. As Robbie asked, what year are your tanks?

[Gregg]

I believe they are the original tanks. My friend said the tanks had no emblems when he got it and when he repainted back in the 60's, he glued something on and screwed the 57 emblem to it. (he liked the 57 emblem better).
You can see some dimples in the paint on both tanks where I think the original emblem mounts would have been. I included another pic from the gallery to show the mounting screws. The angle is a bit different, but when you look at the tanks dead on, the dimples seem to match.

Anything else I should look at to identify the tanks?

And thanks guys for the dealer tip. I would never have guessed they would carry emblems for this old a bike!

[DaveSwanson]

The 55/56 emblems are about as perfect a repop as you can get. I used them on my 56 KHK resto. All the badges are toward the back of the big HD accessory catalog at the parts department. Most parts guys don't know they exist, so it is best to look them up yourself. Pretty reasonable too, about 60 bucks for the pair if I remember right.

khk014.jpg

[55PAN]

Gregg,

The original 55-56 tanks have an emblem mount on them to attach the emblems.

Bruce

[ernietrucker]

Gregg,
First question, do you have the correct '55-'56 tanks? Next, are your tanks true '57s?
If no to the first question you are not going to get real ones to fit without some work. If your tanks don't have the right mounting strips in the right place you will have to create them or find the correct tanks. '57-'58 tanks are quite different in the mounting area.
Aftermarket types have stick on mounts. And the quality is pretty much all the same. The H-D sold Eagle Iron branded ones seemed to be pretty good.
Check your tanks first!
And eBay is probably your best source for originals.
Robbie

H-D offers tank emblems in their 2011 P&A catalog. I don't have one with me now, but I'll look when I get home.

[ernietrucker]

Gregg,
First question, do you have the correct '55-'56 tanks? Next, are your tanks true '57s?
If no to the first question you are not going to get real ones to fit without some work. If your tanks don't have the right mounting strips in the right place you will have to create them or find the correct tanks. '57-'58 tanks are quite different in the mounting area.
Aftermarket types have stick on mounts. And the quality is pretty much all the same. The H-D sold Eagle Iron branded ones seemed to be pretty good.
Check your tanks first!
And eBay is probably your best source for originals.
Robbie

H-D offers tank emblems in their 2011 P&A catalog. I don't have one with me now, but I'll look when I get home.

57"s are H-D part# 61773-57T; 55-56 is part# 61814-55T. Both are available at your local H-D dealer. $34.95 for the 57's and $39.95 for the 55-56.

[Pomike]

I just have to say: This is the most helpful, righteous HD forum. Period. Bar none! I have the Harley repops on my "65 and they look fine! Like the folks said, I know some of the mounting strips for the newer Harley ones stick on, instead of having to be tack welded, or riveted. They seem to hold on for a long time. I was lucky on the original tanks I got for my Glide, because the original mounts were good. The Harley dealers here in N W Ohio just have them hanging on the wall with the other stuff. Not hard to find. Good luck with that fine ride!
Mike
Mike

[john HD]

hey bruce,

you're not changing colors on your bike are you?

all the cool guys have pepper red bikes!

john

[55PAN]

Hey John,

I guess you caught me. I was getting tired of the black, I've had too many black Harleys. So now that I'm going pepper red, I'll be cool?
Also I wanted chrome wheels so I disassembled the wheels, got the original rims re-chromed, and I'm using Buchanan's stainless spokes to lace them up.
It's coming along pretty good so far.

Bruce

[john HD]

bruce,

can't wait to see it!

john

[FlatHeadSix]

whatsa matta with black? Black is cool too!

that red thing sticks out, as Cotten would say, like a herpes sore.....

[Panacea]

Did you hear about the guy that named his dog Herpes 'cause he wouldn't heel?

[Gregg]

Bruce,
I think the original mounts were removed from the tanks. Both sides have dimples that correspond to where the mounts would have been (see pic). It appears they may have been badly filled before they were painted.
Your photo is very helpful. When I remove the paint, I'll know better.


Gregg,

The original 55-56 tanks have an emblem mount on them to attach the emblems.

Bruce