1948
Harley-Davidson FL Panhead
Colours used
in this example.
Burgundy and ivory set the main colour direction. Softer background tones keep the motorcycle in focus.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build burgundy in thin layers around the ivory panels.
Follow the curved leather surface.
Keep the saddle centre lighter than its edges.
Reserve white strips for reflections.
Keep these colours subdued behind the bike.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
1948 FL, side profile
Harley-Davidson Museum example with the original-style springer front fork.
Photo: Michael Barera · Source · CC BY-SA 4.01948 FL, front quarter
A second angle of the museum motorcycle, showing the tank, mudguard and front suspension.
Photo: Michael Barera · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Panhead engine
Museum engine display covering the 1948-1965 Panhead family.
Photo: Michael Barera · Source · CC BY-SA 4.01949 Panhead comparison
Peacock Blue 1949 motorcycle. Paint and telescopic fork differ from the 1948 FL.
Photo: Dave_S. from Witney, England · Source · CC BY 2.01950 Panhead custom
A customised 1950 Panhead. Use the engine finishes as reference rather than the non-standard bodywork.
Photo: order_242 from Chile · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Original factory colours
The National Motorcycle Museum records Azure Blue, Flight Red and Black for 1948. Choose one body colour rather than combining all three.
- Azure BlueTank and mudguards, alternative finish
- Flight RedTank and mudguards, alternative finish
- BlackTank and mudguards, alternative finish
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
The factory museum confirms that 1948 schemes used one colour. Two-tone restored examples are not evidence of a factory option.
In the photographs
The 1948 museum motorcycle is red. The turquoise motorcycle is a 1949 comparison and the silver-grey motorcycle is a 1950 custom. Neither establishes a 1948 factory colour. The engine display is a mechanical reference.
- Red
- Turquoise, 1949 comparison
- Silver-grey custom
Visual colour guide only. These are not additional factory paint options.
In the coloured example
The burgundy-and-cream example is a creative two-tone treatment. Harley-Davidson Museum states that 1948 factory paint schemes used one body colour, so choose a single documented colour for a factory-inspired version.
Make the details count.
Layer burgundy around the cream mudguard inserts without covering their thin outlines.
Follow the saddle curve with chestnut strokes and deepen its underside.
Leave fine silver gaps in the springer fork so the coils remain clear.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.