harleyKmodel

Hi to all,

As my 59 XLH will get a new paint job this winter, I need to adress different aspects of tank panels and emblems -- I thought it might be very helpful to have a post that deals with the different tank panel designs and emblems, as I feel that a lot of important information is not accesible currently.

Apart from the fact, that I hope to find a correct 59 side panel design, I have a question regarding the 59/60 tank batches.

I have two pairs of tank batches: one new set (part number ending with -59T) and one used, eventually original 59 batch. Although both batches look identical from far, they have significant differences where I seek for the "truth"




As you can see, the new batch has red letters whilst the old batch has black letters. Additionally, the "old" batches have (both) a strange inner surface. I looks like they have been welded or brazed, but as they are also chromed I wonder if this is original? Or did someone intended to strengthen the emblems?

Cheers,
Ralf

A very nice 59 XLH was recently posted in the gallery. Should answer some of your questions. I also have a 59XLH. Tom.

The number with a "T" suffix is "Eagle Iron" H-D aftermarket made in Taiwan from the 90s or 2000s era. Never used originally.

Hi Rubone,
thanks for the information -- yes, I am aware that the "T" suffix is not "real" OEM although sold also by Harley Davidson. I would assume that they are quite correct reproductions and I am wondering if the old batches I have are the real deal. Its just the strange inside of the batches that is irritating. ALso the fact that the letters are black and not red ...

Regarding Patricks XLH in the gallery (we have actually to few XLHs anyway), its a nice restauration, but eventually using the same "T" batches and an "assumption" of the side panel shape. Thats why I am hoping to collect correct side panel designs and have them accesible here for anyone who is trying to have a correct paint job. I have collected pictures of at least 10 different 59XLH side panel designs and all of them differ from the factory picture here in the Literature section. Sure can I have a 11th version of 59 tank panels, but if someone has access to an original paint 59XLH, we could gather exact data ... just an idea.

Cheers, Ralf

Ralf,

The only way to get a tank panel 98% correct or better is to take measurements from an original paint tank. Otherwise you are just guessing.

Tank panels can appear different from various angles, so photos are not all that helpful.

-MS

I thought the 57 badges were one color and the 38 badges another, Red and black.

Might be true for 59 and 60 as well ?

Ferrous_Head wrote:I thought the 57 badges were one color and the 38 badges another, Red and black.

Might be true for 59 and 60 as well ?

No, the badges were identical for 1959 & 1960.

Here is a pic of my 59XLH being virtually judged at the Terryville meet. I disagree with some of his findings and he didn't like the paint scheme. I also had a red pin stripe painted around the shape to try and make it look smaller. He didn't like that either. I knew beforehand that there was too much chrome but had it judged anyway. Thanks for the spot. Tom.[img][img][[url]

Hi to all,

thanks a lot for all of your replies ... @roadburn: thanks a lot for these pictures, as I was looking for "black" XLHs to verify my paint idea -- definately like it!

The problem of the tank panel shape is obvious: without taking measurements rfom a original paint tank it will be impossible to have the shape correct. Especially as the tank panels have "free floating" radiusses that can´t be reproduced without correct measurements. So if anyone here has an original tank or knows someone who has, theses measurements would help significantly.

Does anyone have original tank emblems and can verify how they look from "inside"? I am still irritated, if the heavier and old emblems are original or wether they have been repaired ...?

Cheers,
Ralf