Swan Fender Ornaments

[Spag]

I have always been intrigued by this swan front fender ornament seen mostly on Harleys. Does anyone know their origin and how they came to be attached to many ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s Harleys and perhaps other motorcycles? I haven’t seen the small ones for sale at swap meets for a long time. I do remember a guy who was sharing a vendor spot at Davenport many years ago who had a bunch of parts he said belonged to his father. In his stash were I believe six individual boxes containing these swans. A very well known AMCA member bought them all before anyone else had a chance for $50 as I recall.

This one looks small like the original.

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[exeric]

This is the fender ornament I have on my '1916-F Fartey - - - I mean Harley. Actually, I found this on garbage day while walking our dog and it was part of a swimming trophy.

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[duffeycycles]

DSC_0861.JPG 1940s Harley had 4 animals as fender ornaments, swan, bull,etc
I think they all had lights. The swan wings were colored plastic that lit up, the bulls horns etc
This is the swan or what's left of one with 9s alongside

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[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*



My Dad’s Father worked for the Henderson Motorcycle Company when he was very young , and my Father & Grandfather used to talk about some of the customized motorcycle’s when they were growing up. There was a period back then where they were referred to as…”Garbage Wagons”. But nowhere near the ‘Coney Island’ monstrosities of later years. From what I remember of some of those conversations, the ornaments were just a way of personilizing an individuals motorcycle.

Before automobile manufactures began putting hood ornaments on cars, there were radiator cap ornaments, which were probably just like any other current fad of the times. ''In Hinduism, they believe that Swans are revered and likened to saintly persons who live in a world without attachments''. There are many culture’s that have similar versions of their own perception of a Swan's actual concept. But, I perfer Eric’s… ‘Fartey’origin/version as the most logical explanation!!! ~Hahaha.

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[pisten-bully]

I wonder if this interesting discussion could be moved to the "accessories" topic?

[hennigan62]

what difference does it make where it is? interesting topic glad to see people participating.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Nice day out.

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[Rubone]

There were very few early fender ornaments sold by H-D, but in '51 they added a bunch of stuff with the greyhound probably being the most commonly seen. Most others were adaptations from the Automobile world with lots being taken from aftermarket early accessory radiator caps.
DCP_4024.JPG 1951 fender ornament.jpg DCP_4025.JPG

[duffeycycles]

Somewhere i have a reprint 1941 Acc. Catalog that shows the ones I mentioned. Mine did not have a light like I mentioned.

[Spag]

Wow! Robbie, how did we know you would be the person who would come up with the ads for the original Harley fender ornaments? You always seem to have the best access to this obscure historical information. The ornament in my photo does not appear to be an original Harley ornament. I recall seeing the plane and greyhound ornaments but never thought they were Harley related. Big thanks for your post.