HARLEY K MODEL

Technical: Nameplates and Transfers
Scott Lange, Mike Walker, Roger Meinke, Stan Diener, Dave Hennessey

Click the photos to see bigger photos

Harley calls metal or plastic things that screw on “Nameplates”, but they are more commonly called “Emblems”. Likewise, what Harley calls “Transfers” are commonly called “Decals” (short for Decalcomania). We may lapse into the more common names.

1952 to 1956 K-models
Year Gas Tank Left Gas Tank Right Oil Tank
1952 K 61775-51 61773-51 Patent
1953 K, KK 61775-51 61773-51 Patent
1952 & 1953 + 61799-52 front & 61800-52 rear strips
1954 KH, KHK 61775-51 61773-51 Patent
1955 KH 61775-55 61773-55 Patent.
1955 KHK 61775-55 61773-55 Patent
1956 KH 61775-55 61773-55 None
1956 KHK 61775-55 61773-55 KHK

61775-51 (left)   1952-1953

61773-51 (right)   1952-1953

61775-51 (left)   1954-only

61773-51 (right)   1954-only

61775-55 (left)   1955-1956

61773-55 (right)   1955-1956

1957-1969   XL and XLH
The XL and XLH models had screw-on metal (mostly) nameplates (emblems)
Year Gas Tank Left Gas Tank Right Oil Tank
1957 XL 61773-57 61773-57 None
1958 XL 61773-58 61773-58 None
1958 XLH 61773-58 61773-58 61777-58
1959 XL 61773-59 61774-59 None
1959 XLH 61773-59 61774-59 61777-58
1960 XLH 61773-59 61774-59 61777-58
1961 XLH 61773-61 61773-61 62535-61
1962 XLH 61773-61 61773-61 62535-61
1963 XLH 61775-63 61774-63 62535-61
1964 XLH 61775-63 61774-63 62535-61A
1965 XLH 61775-63 61774-63 62535-65
1966 XLH 61771-66 61771-66 62535-65
1967 XLH 61771-66 61771-66 62535-65
1968 XLH 61771-66 61771-66 62535-65
1969 XLH 61771-66 61771-66 62535-65

61773-57   1957-only

61773-58   1958-only

61773-59 (left), 61774-59 (right)  1959-1960

61773-61   1961-1962

61774-63 (right), 61775-63 (left) 1963-1965

61771-66   1966-1969

1958-1969   XLC and XLCH
The XLCH (and XLC) had water-slide (mostly) transfers (decalcomania).
Year Gas-Left Gas-Right Oil Tank
1958 XLC 61780-58 61781-58 None
1958 XLCH 61780-58 61781-58 61777-58
1959 XCLH 61780-58 61781-58 61777-58
1960 XLCH 61780-58 61781-58 61777-58
1961 XLCH 61780-61 61780-61 62535-61
1962 XLCH 61780-62 61780-62 62535-61
1963 XLCH 61771-63 61772-63 62535-61
1964 XLCH 61771-63 61772-63 62535-61A
1965 XLCH 61771-63 61772-63 None
1966 XLCH 61770-66 61770-66 None
1967 XLCH 61770-66 61770-66 None
1968 XLCH 61770-66 61770-66 None
1969 XLCH 61776-69 61776-69 None

61780-58 (Left) - 1958 - 1960

61781-58 (Right) - 1958-1960

61780-61   1961 only

61780-62   1962 only

1961 and 1962 were a bit of a problem. In 1963, Harley replaced both the 61780-61 and 61780-62 decals with the 61780-61P. The P suffix indicates this was made in Italy for the Aermacchi-Harleys such as the Sprint. You'll notice that the -61P is quite different from the -61 and -62. Fortunately, the correct 1961 and 1962 are now beiing reproduced.

61780-61P   replacement

61771-63 (Left) - 1963 - 1965

61772-63 (Right) - 1963 - 1965

61770-66 - 1966 - 1968

61776-69 (Left) - 1969 only

61777-69 (Right) - 1969 only

Oil Tanks - 1952-1969

The 1952 through 1955 K, KK, KH, and KHK had a patent decal on the rear face of the oil tank. The decal says “Hydra Glide”, which is probably why it was discontinued. The illustration in the 1956 Spare Parts Catalog shows the decal, but it was not used on 1956 models.

The 1953-1955 K-models used the same decal as used on other 1953-1955 Harley models. We think the 1952 Ks used the 1951-1952 style decals, but we're still looking for an original paint 1952 oil tank.

1952-1955

62535-08 (many variations)

In 1956, if you chose the KHK Speed Kit, you would get a snazzy KHK decals affixed to both the oil tank and the toolbox . We have not found a part number for the decal.

No Part# - 1956 KHK

The extra money spent on a XLH or XLCH bought you not only high-compression, but also a snazzy “H” decal. The low-compression 57 XL, 58 XL, 59 XL, and 58 XLC didn't get them.

61777-58 - 1958-1960 XLH and XLCH

In 1961, the FLH gained a “H” decal. Harley changed the “Model” and “Sportster” to a checkered pattern so they could use the same decal on Big Twins and Sportsters.

62535-61 - 1961-1963

In 1964, the 62535-61A replaced the -61, and was used on the 1964 XLH and XLCH. This is a “peel-and-stick” decal. The previous ones were water-slide.

62535-61A - 1964 XLH and XLCH

The shape of the newly electric-start FLH oil tank required a smaller decal, so a new multi-model “H” decal graced both the FLH and the XLH in 1965. The 1965-1969 XLCH did not have a decal.

The "H" is on the left, and the checkered flag is on the right. I have seen at least one restored bike where this decal was put on backwards!

62535-65 - 1965-1969 XLH

The 1966-1969 XLCH lunch box oil tank had no place for a decal.
Patent Decals

We have moved the patent decals to their own web page. Click here