Concerning paint colors offered in 1945

[Robert Luland]

Thanks to both of you. That was probably some of the best reading on this forum in some time. Bob L

[exeric]

I agree with Bob, good reading. I've mentioned this before about my friend that has a 1944FL. He knows the history of the bike, and knew the original buyer. The first owner was a rural mailman and was able to provide a need and justification to obtain a new motorcycle through Puckett Motors in Orlando, Fl. When the bike arrived at Puckett's, the mailman was so upset by how plain the bike was, that he refused to pay for it. Louis Puckett had enough chrome do-dads in stock to placate the buyer and consumate the sale. The next time I see Marsh, I'll ask him what color it was before he painted it metalic blue.

[Rubone]

One thing I will say is that "waiting for proof from H-D and the museum" is akin to waiting for the government to tell you your tax dollars are not being wasted! There is far more information on this forum and within the AMCA community than anything you will get out of H-D. My own personal '44UL was a labor of love when I was building it 35 years ago. There was very little printed material , but there were many old dealers who were there when the stuff was new. Most information was word of mouth and the results of many hours of phone and face to face conversations. And there were anomalies that existed within every known scenario. I worked for a dealer at the time and had several discussions with members of the H-D staff. I also collected every piece of printed material I could find that related to them. And no, I do not (nor would any sane person) believe that what is in parts books is correct. The book shown was just to point out that it did exist, nothing more. Yes, my '44 is gray! But it also has a small smattering of chrome bits which has been well documented on early '44s as the few orders going out just used up inventory. Many chrome parts ended up painted OD green and were used on military production. By late '44 and through to the early '46 production less and less was available in terms of rubber, plating, etc. By mid '46 colors were showing up in new production. But as stated, to claim that every '45 model came in gray is a dangerous assumption. And to depend on the MOCO for proof is an even greater risk. And to infer that by painting a bike in non-standard colors or with a few bits of chrome was in some manner unpatriotic is truly foolish. No one is saying you are wrong, but by the same token be aware that does not make you right!
Robbie

[Chris Haynes]

I would think the photo on pg 222 of Hatfield's book is of a 46, since the 45 model year ended a couple months earlier.

The Glide prototype in Jerry's book is a 1945. I have a left side photo of it and I can read 45 on the number boss.

[Chris Haynes]

A few 1944/1945 factory photos.

[Chris Haynes]

[Steve Slocombe]

Just a note that Harley started selling surplus XA models to the public in September 1944, so must have figured wartime motorcycle production was all over by then.

[Chuck#1848]

Bob and Eric, I have to agree with both of you guys on this topic, it was an extremely interesting dissucusion from all sides.

And Robbie I found out real quick that the MOCO and their parts books are not something to be 100% relied upon

[Rubone]

May '45 "Motorcyclist"

[sirhrmechanic]

^^^^ And I bet those sold new for less than you would pay to have you tank painted today....

Oh to have bought an XA when noone wanted them.

If you saw the nose prints and drool marks on that blue XA at Rhinebeck... My bad.

Cheers,

Sirhr