Tank Emblem Removal : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

mtucci · 02-17-2003, 04:40 PM

I wonder. Can you remove the 100th Anniversary Tank Emblems from
the tank using fishing line or dental floss without harming the paint
finish??

My 03 FLHR Road King was on the dealer floor with the 100th anno
package on the bike. Had the dealer remove the front fender medallion.
Too gaudy for me. Dealer used dental floss to remove it along with a
cleaner to remove residue glue. Now, I see the tank emblems the same
way. Since the bike has the 100th anno package, the bike is plastered
with 100 anniversary emblems everywhere. Examples: air cleaner,
derby cover, timer cover, windshield trim, grips and large front fender
medallion. The latter I had removed. The only items I find useful are the
m.c. cover, the windshield bag and the gold key for whatever worth it
may have in the future. The windshield trim and the air cleaner cover
would have been enough for me as far as 100th anno dressing.

xxxflhrci · 02-17-2003, 04:59 PM

3M Decal Remover will make it fall off.

Roaddawg · 02-17-2003, 11:08 PM

Hello Mr. mtucci, I have a '03 FLHR , Peace Officer Special, even though my bike has some 100th anniversary emblems, they are small and for the most part sticker based.. I would be interested in taking the tank emblems off your hands,

, for a modest price if you wont use the emblems any longer and if they are still usable...I hope you can take the emblems off with no damage to your paint.. best of luck

hlpsg · 02-18-2003, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtucci
I wonder. Can you remove the 100th Anniversary Tank Emblems from
the tank using fishing line or dental floss without harming the paint
finish??

My 03 FLHR Road King was on the dealer floor with the 100th anno
package on the bike. Had the dealer remove the front fender medallion.
Too gaudy for me. Dealer used dental floss to remove it along with a
cleaner to remove residue glue. Now, I see the tank emblems the same
way. Since the bike has the 100th anno package, the bike is plastered
with 100 anniversary emblems everywhere. Examples: air cleaner,
derby cover, timer cover, windshield trim, grips and large front fender
medallion. The latter I had removed. The only items I find useful are the
m.c. cover, the windshield bag and the gold key for whatever worth it
may have in the future. The windshield trim and the air cleaner cover
would have been enough for me as far as 100th anno dressing.

I'll use a hairdryer to heat the emblem and then use a thin bladed knife to make an initial cut on the glue, then pull it off.

That's how I did the reflectors. WD-40 will clean off the remaining glue.

mtucci · 02-18-2003, 09:28 AM

Roaddawg,

Respectfully, if and when I do remove the tank emblems I would keep
them in the event of a future sale of my bike. With my luck, a prospective
buyer would show a preference to have them on. For this same reason,
I've kept my stock saddle and exhausts.

The dealer returned my front fender medallion after removal. I expected
this as it cost $59.95. I'm sure it can be re-applied back on after one
removes the remaining adhesive from the back of the medallion. Just
a little time-consuming.

And, thanks to all for the useful info! You can't go wrong on this forum.

Roaddawg · 02-18-2003, 06:54 PM

I was afraid that would be your response

, I would do the same, for the same reasons you quoted. Thanks for your response, ride safe!!

2kflhr · 02-19-2003, 07:57 PM

I had a black Z-28 with black Z emblems on it.

I heated the emblem with a heatgun (the OL's blow dryer will do) to soften the glue.

Used a strong fine string and flossed it off. I've heard of people using dental floss.

Goo-Off removed the glue (NO heatgun for this step)

Painted them Silver and reapplied

The stripe probably is not continuous (keep this in mind)

My neighbor has a 100 Ann. and I thought it would look good with the emblem minus the stripe. Since the stripe is not likely to be continuous.

mtucci · 02-20-2003, 08:06 AM

2kflhr,

Ahhhh.... that is one of my concerns. Yes, I have the vivid black with
stripe on my tank. I'm not absolutely sure stripe is continuous under
the tank emblem. But, I think it would be harder for the company to
paint those tanks without a continuous stripe than to do them continuous
under the emblem. That is, if the stripe is painted on. The stripe may be
just an applied sticker.

I guess I can call the customer service number or ask my dealer. Betcha
they don't know either. It's not really at the top of my "to do" list
anymore. The bike is still too new (620 miles on so far) to screw up the
tank stripe or paint just to get off the emblems.

booner · 02-21-2003, 02:53 PM

My bet is that it's a continuous sticker. Be hard to paint all those little "Harley Davidsons" in there.

mtucci · 02-21-2003, 03:59 PM

Booner,

Never noticed..... how about that!

booner · 02-22-2003, 01:33 AM

I wonder how many people havn't. Pretty cool huh?

2kflhr · 02-22-2003, 11:07 PM

It's a vinyl stripe! Haven't really looked to see if it's under the clearcoat. If it IS, probably continuous, then no problem removing emblem. Take your fingernail and feel the edge of the stripe. If it's a sharp edge probably on top of the paint. If not probablyunder the cleat coat.

mtucci · 02-23-2003, 10:35 AM

2kflhr

Thank you LARGE. Appreciate that! If I ever get the courage to do this
job, I will be well informed. As I've said in an earlier post, bike is too
new to F--k up the tank for emblem removal. Summer's coming and I
want to be out there riding and posing!!

2kflhr · 02-23-2003, 11:51 AM

You can't be rider and a poser. If you ride you don't pose. I usually can spot a poser from a mile away.
Heard one salesman at a dealership refer to them as
"No riding MF's" ...... (He's probably two faced, I bet he didn't mind selling them some shirts at 400% markup).

mtucci · 02-23-2003, 12:48 PM

2kflhr

You're taking me too literally!!! R-E-L-A-X.....