Skulls and Flames
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 1
From: The High Desert, SoCal
Something about the way you posed the question makes me think that there is more of a message than an genuine interest in knowing but here ya go. (Hey.. if I am wrong, I hope I didn't offend you)
"The skull and wings logo came about because in the early 1930s, motorcycle riders started to develop a kind of modern day outlaw reputation. The skull and wings logo is a derivative of the skull and bones logo. Americans typically associate the skull and boneshere logo with poison or death. This logo was first placed on tombstones in the late 1600s. Harley Davidson morphed this logo into its own by removing the bones and adding wings."
Flames, as I understand the history, came out of the Hot Rod era when people began painting them on the front fenders behind the wheels to imitate a spit fire type exhaust. A classic representation of power and speed.
"The skull and wings logo came about because in the early 1930s, motorcycle riders started to develop a kind of modern day outlaw reputation. The skull and wings logo is a derivative of the skull and bones logo. Americans typically associate the skull and boneshere logo with poison or death. This logo was first placed on tombstones in the late 1600s. Harley Davidson morphed this logo into its own by removing the bones and adding wings."
Flames, as I understand the history, came out of the Hot Rod era when people began painting them on the front fenders behind the wheels to imitate a spit fire type exhaust. A classic representation of power and speed.
Last edited by chromedome; Aug 17, 2009 at 12:25 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Shady Grove Pa
It's a great marketing idea from ***** G. Think of all the $$$ they have made off it, especially from ME !!!! I've got the collection, wheels and all, except for the timing cover. I figured with the air cleaner done the timing cover directly below, it would be a little redundant. I do like the Skull's teeth lighting up for my gas guage.
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Initially we put skulls and flames on our bikes to intimidate the "civies" so we could enjoy the thrills of motorcycling all by ourselves. Nowadays unfortunately there are so many "civies" riding that the "hard core" bikers are seriously considering dropping the skull and flame motif in favor of a much MORE intimidating image of a stock certificate for shares in a failed Mortgage company.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
They look great on a bike:
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FASSSSSSSTTTTTTTT!!! There a PERFECT MATCH ON ANY HARLEY OR HOT-ROD. 