1936–1939 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors & Tank Emblems

Q: What 1936–1939 Harley-Davidson paint colors were available?

Harley-Davidson offered multiple year-specific factory color combinations from 1936 through 1939. This page organizes those paint combinations by year for accurate restoration and identification work.

Q: Did 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead and V-Series models share the same paint reference?

Yes. The 1936 paint reference is useful across the broader 1936 Harley-Davidson lineup, including the late V-Series period and the first Knucklehead year.

Q: How do I verify the correct 1936–1939 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 1936–1939 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.

1936–1939 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 1936 through 1939, spanning the late V-Series period and the early Knucklehead years.

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:
1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939

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.

Topic Overview

This page preserves factory paint and tank emblem reference information for 1936 through 1939 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, covering the late V-Series period and the first Knucklehead years. Use it as a fast year-by-year finish guide, then compare each listing against the corresponding model reference page.

Harley-Davidson Tank Emblems (1936–1939)

1936–1939 Harley-Davidson V-Series and Knucklehead factory tank emblem reference

1936 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1936 V-Series Model Reference | 1936 Knucklehead Model Reference

Teak Red with Black Panels

1936 Harley-Davidson Teak Red factory paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Black panel paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

Venetian Blue with Croydon Cream Panels

1936 Harley-Davidson Venetian Blue factory paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Croydon Cream panel paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

Maroon with Nile Green Panels

1936 Harley-Davidson Maroon factory paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Nile Green panel paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

Sherwood Green with Silver Panels

1936 Harley-Davidson Sherwood Green factory paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Silver panel paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

Dusk Grey with Royal Buff Panels

1936 Harley-Davidson Dusk Grey factory paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Royal Buff panel paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

Olive Green with Black striping (edged in Gold - export)

1936 Harley-Davidson Olive Green export paint sample for V-Series and Knucklehead models

1936 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for V-Series and Knucklehead paint layouts

Police Silver with Black striping (edged in Gold, Police use only)

1936 Harley-Davidson Police Silver factory paint sample for service-model reference

1936 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for Police Silver service-model finish

1937 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1937 Knucklehead Model Reference

Bronze Brown with Delphine Blue striping (edged in Yellow)

1937 Harley-Davidson Bronze Brown factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1937 Harley-Davidson Delphine Blue striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Teak Red with Black striping (edged in Gold)

1937 Harley-Davidson Teak Red factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1937 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Delphine Blue with Teak Red striping

1937 Harley-Davidson Delphine Blue factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1937 Harley-Davidson Teak Red striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Olive Green with Black striping (edged in Gold - export)

1937 Harley-Davidson Olive Green export paint sample for Knucklehead models

1937 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for export Knucklehead finish

Police Silver with Black striping (edged in Gold, Police use only)

1937 Harley-Davidson Police Silver factory paint sample for service-model reference

1937 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for 1937 Police Silver service-model finish

1938 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1938 Knucklehead Model Reference

Teak Red with Black striping (edged in Gold)

1938 Harley-Davidson Teak Red factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1938 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Venetian Blue with White striping (edged in Burnt Orange)

1938 Harley-Davidson Venetian Blue factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1938 Harley-Davidson White striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Hollywood Green with Gold striping (edged in Black)

1938 Harley-Davidson Hollywood Green factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1938 Harley-Davidson Gold striping reference sample for Knucklehead finishes

Silver Tan with Sunshine Blue striping

Color swatch images are not currently shown in the source archive for this combination, but the factory color combination is preserved here for reference.

Olive Green with Black striping (edged in Gold - export)

1938 Harley-Davidson Olive Green export paint sample for Knucklehead models

1938 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for export Knucklehead finish

Police Silver with Black striping (Police use only)

1938 Harley-Davidson Police Silver factory paint sample for service-model reference

1938 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for 1938 Police Silver service-model finish

1939 Harley-Davidson Paint Colors

Quick Links: 1939 Knucklehead Model Reference

Airway Blue with White Panel

1939 Harley-Davidson Airway Blue factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1939 Harley-Davidson White panel paint sample for Knucklehead finishes

Black with Ivory Panel

1939 Harley-Davidson Black factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1939 Harley-Davidson Ivory panel paint sample for Knucklehead finishes

Teak Red with Black Panel

1939 Harley-Davidson Teak Red factory paint sample for Knucklehead models

1939 Harley-Davidson Black panel paint sample for Knucklehead finishes

Olive Green with Black Panel (export)

1939 Harley-Davidson Olive Green export paint sample for Knucklehead models

1939 Harley-Davidson Black panel paint sample for export Knucklehead finish

Police Silver with Black striping (Police use only)

1939 Harley-Davidson Police Silver factory paint sample for service-model reference

1939 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for 1939 Police Silver service-model finish

Police Gray with Black striping (Police use only)

1939 Harley-Davidson Police Gray factory paint sample for service-model reference

1939 Harley-Davidson Black striping reference sample for 1939 Police Gray service-model finish

Frequently Asked Questions

What 1936–1939 Harley-Davidson paint colors were available?

This page documents the factory paint combinations shown in Riding Vintage’s reference material for 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Did 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead and V-Series models share the same paint reference?

Yes. The 1936 section is useful across the broader 1936 Harley-Davidson lineup, including the late V-Series period and the first-year Knucklehead models.

How do I verify the correct 1936–1939 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 1936–1939 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.