Paint Options, 1928 Harley JD

[Kip Kern]

I was curious to see if there were any other paint color options available for the 1928 JD Harley. I see most were Green but read somewhere that Black and Blue were an additional option for extra $$ back in the day. Any truth to this?? Thanks in advance!

[Fiskis]

Previous standard paints were available as Brewster Green and gray. I believe Cream was offered from 1926 on.
Regards Fiskis

[Chris Haynes]

There were the standard colors, optional colors and special order colors. H-D has long been known to paint a bike any color a customer ordered. I have various year order blanks for custom painted bikes. A friend has a 1941 letter on H-D letterhead signed by William S. Harley advising a customer that he can order his machine any color he wants for an additional charge of $7.50. I have seen many factory photos of commercial machines custom painted.
As far as judging goes it used to be the rule that if a machine entered was painted anything other than a standard color you had to provide proof that the machine was painted that color when it left the MoCo. I don't know how that works today with our new judging standards.

[Kip Kern]

Gentlemen

Thanks so much for the help. I would like to paint my JD black as all I see are green models. Just kind of like black when it comes to Harley's!

[Rod K]

Kip... There is a black 1928 J Model in the Harley Davidson Museum in Milw. Also saw a 1928 original paint bike in black at Davenport ...Rod

[Fiskis]

The 1928 Harleys did not have painted crankcases as earlier models. What opinions do you have: Should a black 1926 JD have black motor- and transmission cases?

[Kip Kern]

Rod Thanks! Black it will be. Just looks better black with just a little original plating. Now, all I have to do is find a source for 18" Clincher rims. No luck so far here in the US but can get them from Richards Bros. overseas. Al in Michigan makes 20" but no 18", man he is a super guy to talk to! This is a great forum, nice folks like the Penton Owners Group!