1940–1946 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors & Tank Emblems

Q: What 1940–1946 Harley-Davidson paint colors were available?

Harley-Davidson offered multiple year-specific factory color combinations from 1940 through 1946. This page organizes those paint combinations by year for accurate restoration and identification work.

Q: How do I verify the correct 1940–1946 Harley-Davidson paint year?

Use the Harley VIN Decoder to identify the correct production year first, then compare that year to the paint and emblem reference on this page.

Q: Can a Harley-Davidson VIN tell me the exact 1940–1946 paint color?

No. The VIN identifies the production year and model family, but factory paint colors, striping, and emblems must be confirmed through year-based paint reference pages.

1940–1946 Harley-Davidson paint colors and tank emblems changed year to year, and matching them correctly is essential for authentic restorations and accurate identification. For collectors, restorers, and anyone trying to build a factory-correct motorcycle, finish details are a key part of getting the year right.

The first step is determining the correct production year of your motorcycle. Harley-Davidson VIN numbers provide that information and serve as the foundation for verifying paint, emblems, and other year-specific details. This guide covers factory tank emblems and paint color combinations used from 1940 through 1946, spanning the wartime Knucklehead years and the final civilian paint references before the postwar transition.

If you have not yet decoded your VIN to determine the correct year, start with the Harley VIN Decoder, then use the year links below to move directly into the correct paint reference section.

Quick Navigation

Years:
1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946

Resources:
Harley VIN Decoder | Model Reference 1903–1969

Use the VIN first, then verify the finish. The stamped Harley-Davidson VIN identifies the production year and model family, but it does not encode the exact paint combination, tank emblem, or striping details. Use the VIN Decoder to confirm the year, then use the sections below to verify the correct factory finish.

1940–1946 Harley-Davidson Tank Emblems

1940–1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead factory tank emblem reference

Notes:

1941–1946 tanks have a stainless steel strip dividing the upper and lower tank.
1944–1946 models used painted emblems instead of chrome.

Topic Overview

This page preserves factory paint and tank emblem reference information for the wartime Knucklehead years, including prewar civilian finishes, wartime interruptions, and the first postwar civilian references. Use the year links below to move quickly to the correct production period.

1940 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1940 Knucklehead Model Reference

Clipper Blue with White stripe

1940 Harley-Davidson Clipper Blue factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

Flight Red with Black stripe

1940 Harley-Davidson Flight Red factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

Squadron Grey with Bittersweet stripe

1940 Harley-Davidson Squadron Grey factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

Black with Flight Red stripe

1940 Harley-Davidson Black factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

Olive Green with Black stripe (export)

1940 Harley-Davidson Olive Green export paint sample for Knucklehead models

Police Silver with Black stripe (Police use only)

1940 Harley-Davidson Police Silver factory paint sample for service-model reference

Police Grey with Black stripe (Police use only)

1940 Harley-Davidson Police Grey factory paint sample for service-model reference

1941 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1941 Knucklehead Model Reference

Skyway Blue

Cruiser Green

Flight Red

Brilliant Black

Olive Green (export)

Police Silver

1942 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1942 Knucklehead Model Reference

Skyway Blue

Cruiser Green

Flight Red

Brilliant Black

Olive Green (export)

Police Silver

1943 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1943 Knucklehead Model Reference

No civilian models were produced due to World War II.

1944 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1944 Knucklehead Model Reference

Grey

Silver

1945 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1945 Knucklehead Model Reference

Grey

1946 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1946 Knucklehead Model Reference

Grey

Skyway Blue

Flight Red

Police Silver

Black

Frequently Asked Questions

What 1940–1946 Harley-Davidson paint colors were available?

This page documents the factory paint combinations shown in Riding Vintage’s reference material for 1940, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1945, and 1946 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Did 1941–1946 Harley-Davidson tanks use a stainless steel divider strip?

Yes. According to the reference notes on this page, 1941 through 1946 tanks used a stainless steel strip dividing the upper and lower tank sections.

How do I verify the correct 1940–1946 Harley-Davidson paint year?

Start with the Harley VIN Decoder to confirm the production year, then compare that year to the paint combinations shown on this page.

Can a Harley-Davidson VIN tell me the exact 1940–1946 paint color?

No. The stamped VIN identifies the production year and model family, but factory paint colors, striping, and tank emblems must be confirmed through year-based paint reference pages like this one.

Next Step: Continue using the Harley VIN Decoder and Model Reference pages for full year-by-year restoration details.