Patent Decal

[c.o.]

I have what I believe to be a correct patent decal for my '48 FL. Can anybody out there advise me as to placement on the oil tank? Also, it looks like a water transfer type, does anybody have any tricks to offer that may prevent me from screwing it up??? Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

[cdndewey]

Cory..I'm sending you an e-mail regarding this.

[Chris Haynes]

The only 1948 models that used the patent decal were the 45" 's

[Robert Luland]

Orignal paint.

[Chris Haynes]

Fresh original paint.

[c.o.]

Oh, Chris don't tell me that!!! I'm gonna have to re-consult Mr. Palmer's book but I'm pretty sure it said it was correct for '47 and '48.

[c.o.]

Chris, could that be by chance a picture of the prototype? The reason I ask is on page 507 of our favorite "Harley Bible" it states that all Big Twin from 1940-1955 had patent decals on the left side of the oil tank.

[c.o.]

Orignal paint.

Thanks for the pic Bob!! I was scratching my head over the clutch rod on my bike. With it adjusted as far as it will go there's still a fair bit of overhang on the rod. Perhaps it should be shortened.

[Chris Haynes]

Oh, Chris don't tell me that!!! I'm gonna have to re-consult Mr. Palmer's book but I'm pretty sure it said it was correct for '47 and '48.

I have many factory pictures from 1948. Panheads, UL's, and 45's. The only ones that have a patent decal are the 45's. The November 1947 Enthusiast is the 1948 New Model edition. None of the Big Twins in it show patent decals.
On page 15 of the September 1948 Enthusiast is a picture of Katherine Rohrig on a new '48 Panhead. It shows the decal on the left side of the oil bag. The factory photos show the decal on the 1949 models. So obviously at some time during late1948 production the decal was added. But when? I wouldn't take points off for a '48 without it.
Robert,
What is the number of the '48 with the decal you showed?

[Robert Luland]

That was a candid shot I took at Oley. The number appears to be 48FL8538.

[Chris Haynes]

That was a candid shot I took at Oley. The number appears to be 48FL8538.

With around 12,924 '48 Panheads built that one was well past the halfway mark. Sonewhere around the seventh or eighth month of production.

[c.o.]

I have many factory pictures from 1948. Panheads, UL's, and 45's. The only ones that have a patent decal are the 45's. The November 1947 Enthusiast is the 1948 New Model edition. None of the Big Twins in it show patent decals.
On page 15 of the September 1948 Enthusiast is a picture of Katherine Rohrig on a new '48 Panhead. It shows the decal on the left side of the oil bag. The factory photos show the decal on the 1949 models. So obviously at some time during late1948 production the decal was added. But when? I wouldn't take points off for a '48 without it.
Robert,
What is the number of the '48 with the decal you showed?

Thanks for taking the time to offer input into this thread Chris. I have since took a look at every left side '48 photo I could get my hands on. You are right, some had it and some don't. Now if this is supposed to be a two year only decal where does that leave the folks with '47's?

[parkerize]

That Original paint 48 is mine and that decal was on there when I bought that one almost 15 years back or so. Nonetheless I have seen other original 48s without it so Chris is probably right, maybe mine was added later, who knows. Sorry so late to this post but I had some down time and was reading older posts. Be well.

[Matt McManus]

I have an original paint Black 48EL VIN 48EL702x and it has whats left of a patent decal on the left side of the oil tank and it also has silver cylinders.

[c.o.]

Matt and parkerize, thanks for the input. I was going to go ahead and put the decal on anyway but it appears that I have the wrong one!!