Factory Blue Colors

[Steve Swan]

I'm planning this fall to dismantle Frank, prepare the parts for painting. Basically tanks, fenders, battery/tool boxes, chain guards will be something similar to Silent Grey Fellow grey. Frame, forks, handlebar, etc will be a blue. i understand there is a Police Blue and an Azure Blue. What other darker colors of blue are there? Who supplies the paint in these colors or has paint code formulas in PPG or another brand? Here's a frame with a blue i find attractive. (i noticed the "Paint" section after i had posted in the JD section).

362934210_24244690361797032_418230815960410986_n.jpg1927 Frank JD13514.jpg

[exeric]

Holy cow, Steve, I was going ask the same question about Azure Blue for my '48FL, and who has Harley-Davidson paint codes? I'll have to buy some lottery tickets tonight. Thanks for your post, Steve !

[exeric]

I have a few samples of 1948 Azure blue. I believe the first pic is correct, but I do like the darker blue in the more current pic. I realize that multi-copies of film, and digital images are not reliable, but I think the only honest color sample would be a liquid can of H-D touch-up paint. However, you have to trust the eye of the color matcher. I do not trust computer matched paint and have always been shocked at how far off they are.

I wanted to block the license plate in the 2nd pic but I don't have photoshop on this computer. I know the pic is over 10 years old so I believe that plate is no longer valid here in fla.

tumblr_nn4hdoi4Vt1sh016ho1_1280_zpscpaoehe5.jpgeba.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Holy cow, Steve, I was going ask the same question about Azure Blue for my '48FL, and who has Harley-Davidson paint codes? I'll have to buy some lottery tickets tonight. Thanks for your post, Steve !

Eric, i love it when a plan comes together!

[Steve Swan]

I have a few samples of 1948 Azure blue. I believe the first pic is correct, but I do like the darker blue in the more current pic. I realize that multi-copies of film, and digital images are not reliable, but I think the only honest color sample would be a liquid can of H-D touch-up paint. However, you have to trust the eye of the color matcher. I do not trust computer matched paint and have always been shocked at how far off they are.

I wanted to block the license plate in the 2nd pic but I don't have photoshop on this computer. I know the pic is over 10 years old so I believe that plate is no longer valid here in fla.

tumblr_nn4hdoi4Vt1sh016ho1_1280_zpscpaoehe5.jpgeba.jpg

Eric, thanks for posting those pics. my initial reaction is a i really like that lighter blue, but i'd sure like to see both of them.

[Peter Cooke]

Steve, the pic below is Police Blue as supplied by John Pierce.

Al's J - Police Blue1.jpg

[Steve Swan]

peter, thank you! Does John Bierce supply different colors of paint? if anyone can show me an Azure Blue or other factory blues, i'f like to see them.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Steve, here's the 1930 VL in Police Blue original paint in the Harley archive.

hdcage303.jpeg

And here's an early 1930 now in Wheels Through Time:

30V1238right.jpg

I've still got the old Antique Cycle Supply 1934 Seafoam Blue paint sample on a card, which is pretty dark. We've matched it to a 50/50 mix of European RAL paint codes 5009 and RAL 5019. Also Delft Blue which is a tad darker and we've matched it to European RAL code 5020.

The 1935 Venetian Blue is also shown in this picture from the factory archive.

hdcage352.jpeg

Note that some of the VL colours were given more patriotic names for the wartime bikes, but the part numbers stayed the same.

[Steve Swan]

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these pictures along with the paint information; much appreciated.

[Peter Cooke]

peter, thank you! Does John Bierce supply different colors of paint?

Hi Steve,

John Pierce was supplying HD paint for the old bikes, but I believe he's retired, and the business has closed as no one wanted to take it over.
I tried to buy Police Blue from him for my VL but as I'm in Oz he wasn't allowed to ship paint due to EPA rules, etc, and wasn't about to part with his formula so sent me a spray out instead.
It's the smaller card in the photo below. The larger card is the spray out my painter did after we had it matched and got a sample pot. Turns out it's a 95% match to 2009 Mercedes Dark Blue.
My painter is currently overseas enjoying himself but when he gets back next month I'll be turning him loose on the sheet metal, frame, etc.
Also attached is another J in Police Blue for your perusal. It's a good looking color.

Mercedes Dark Blue Sprayout.jpg

Mercedes Dark Blue.jpg


Police Blue.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Hi Peter, thank you for the pics and paint info about 2009 Mercedes Dark Blue.

[Steve Swan]

I have a few samples of 1948 Azure blue. I believe the first pic is correct, but I do like the darker blue in the more current pic. I realize that multi-copies of film, and digital images are not reliable, but I think the only honest color sample would be a liquid can of H-D touch-up paint. However, you have to trust the eye of the color matcher. I do not trust computer matched paint and have always been shocked at how far off they are.

I wanted to block the license plate in the 2nd pic but I don't have photoshop on this computer. I know the pic is over 10 years old so I believe that plate is no longer valid here in fla.

tumblr_nn4hdoi4Vt1sh016ho1_1280_zpscpaoehe5.jpgeba.jpg

Eric, i really like that blue in the contemporary pic!

[exeric]

I came across this on ebay, Steve. Again, reproduced photographs of color can't be trusted, but the Mustang does have the 'azure' blue look;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25383040240...Bk9SR-6C0_S4Yg

[RichO]

Don't forget Model A Ford Washington blue, Ace blue, early Henderson blue, and 1940 EL blue which is different than 1941 up.

[Peter Cooke]

Don't forget Model A Ford Washington blue, Ace blue, early Henderson blue, and 1940 EL blue which is different than 1941 up.

My Uncle did his '34 coupe in Washington Blue. It's a really nice color.

Ford Washington Blue.jpg