Dusk gray & Royal buff original colorcombination

[Roelof]

Hello fellow enthousiasts,

Im just new to the group and had earlier introduced myself. But I also have a puzzel and would like to appeal to the knowledge in the group. I have been puzzling by myself for a while and gathered some information, but im still not certain about it. That is why I reach out to you as well.

I bought a HD VLH 1936, all the important (big) parts are original as most parts still are. It has an older restoration, and have been repainted. It has a reversed Teak red & Black color combination with tankpanels.
I want to do a new paint job in the one year 1936 only color-combi Dusk grey & Royal buff, which was also available for the VL's.

BUT im having trouble determining the correct pinstripe color.

First, there are a very few pictures on the internet of this color-combi. I found a restored knucklehead in this paint scheme which has a gold pinstripe. But I see a light (white or silver) pinstripe color on pictures of original painted bike(parts).
What an expert told me (and I highly value his expertise) was that there is a white base-layer underneath the gold pinstripe. The gold fades over time and the white remains. You see this in all old color-combinations. This explanation is very plausible.

I've ordered colorcards based on an original painted fender and ive asked the guy what he thinks. Is there perhaps still some gold left somewhere?
But he is very clear, the pinstripe was silver. He even added a small color-card with the silver color.

But then I ask myself, why would you restore a '36 knuckle and do so much hard work, but add an incorrect coloured pinstripe?!?

Im not asking what you find most pretty, but wat is original?

I hope someone can tell me more.

[Chris Haynes]

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[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Roelof, I've heard the story before about the gold striping wearing off, this time with a 1934 in Orlando Orange and Black.I think original paint bikes show that particular divider stripe is not gold but some creamy colour. The 1934 Teak Red and Silver scheme had black striping, and the Copper had Potomac Blue, so striping was not always gold. There is a striping colour called Florentine in the accessory catalogs which I have never seen. Does anyone have a sample? Maybe it is the one for your Dusk Gray/Royal Buff paint scheme.

[ammorest]

While I was restoring a 1936 EL, we (the owner and I) saw an original paint 1936 VL at the Eustis meet in Dusk Gray and Royal Buff. We decided to go with those colors. The striping appeared to be silver. Could it have been gold that faded to silver? Who knows. The striping color was consistant throughout the bike. So we went with silver.
Went through the 1936 Enthusiasts, order blanks, and The Legend Begins and colors were listed but no mention of striping colors.. In the accessory catalogs Striping Colors were listed iin small tubes except for Gold and Aluminum (silver) . . Those were sold "per package". Those were sold in powder form. I have a package og the Gold; have never opened it.
Would like to know the process for applying it. Whether you laid down a stripe of varnisn and dusted it on or mixed it with varnish and brushed it on. Another Harley mystery.
Dave

[Roelof]

Hello Chris, Steve and Dave,
Thank you all.

Well, that is interesting! It just is remarkable how little is certain within this puzzle.
I was looking again at some photos with the original painted bikes. Looking at the speedball decal, there looks to be some 'gold' left and also some of the striping look like gold. In fact the rear fender of the bike seems to have silver striping, but the front fender looks like gold. And the tank, well somewhat in between of both. Of course im aware that on a foto this is/can be hard to be certain.
Here above, on the photo posten by Chris, the gold totally fade away between the two main colors.
How nice you saw a VL with consistent silver striping (it might even be the bike from the photo (Thank you Steve, for sharing!)). Which confirms the striping on the fender of the guy which provides me with the color-cards.

Did you use a silver or gold tank decal on the EL? Do you have a photo of the paint job and tank decal?

[ammorest]

I don't think silver tank decals were offered. The accessory catalogs list : 5917-36 right tank transfer and 5917-36A left tank transfer. Doesn't say what color. I assume they were gold. I think what appears to be silver on original paint bikes is actually gold that has faded to silver Possibly silver tank decals were produced aftermarket..
Dave

[Steve Slocombe]

I'm thinking that picture of mine in Roelof's post 11 above is actually an original paint 36VL in red and black which has faded in the sun, in which case the striping will be gold.