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