removing street glide tank emblems
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
RE: removing street glide tank emblems
Harley emblems (not the tank decals) consist of a metal outer skin, and a rubber base. To this rubber base is applied an automotive adhesive which is what holds the tank emblem in place. (I guess the rubber base absorbs the vibration.)
If you purchase emblems from Harley, as I have, the emblem will come with a paper cover over the rubber base to protect the adhesive; the paper backing is removed when you mount the emblem.
The fishing line/dental floss is used the same as when you floss your teeth. Wrap one end around one index finer and the other end around the other end and use a "sawing/reciprocating" motion around the edge of the tank emblem with the fishing line/dental floss between the rubber backing of the tank emblem and the surface of the gas tank. You are basically "slicing" the emblem from the tank using the dental floss/fishing line to part the emblem from the tank. When moving the fishing line/dental floss back and forth, keep the line as flush to the tank as possible which is easy to do since you are using the tank for support; this way you keep the line going into the adhesive and not the rubber backing or your paint/clearcoat.
After the emblem is removed, you can use a 3M Automotive Adhesive Remover product available at virtually all auto parts stores, Wal-Mart, etc. It ain't cheap, but I used it to remove reflectors and the residue that remains--it's an excellent product designed for this exact application.
If you purchase emblems from Harley, as I have, the emblem will come with a paper cover over the rubber base to protect the adhesive; the paper backing is removed when you mount the emblem.
The fishing line/dental floss is used the same as when you floss your teeth. Wrap one end around one index finer and the other end around the other end and use a "sawing/reciprocating" motion around the edge of the tank emblem with the fishing line/dental floss between the rubber backing of the tank emblem and the surface of the gas tank. You are basically "slicing" the emblem from the tank using the dental floss/fishing line to part the emblem from the tank. When moving the fishing line/dental floss back and forth, keep the line as flush to the tank as possible which is easy to do since you are using the tank for support; this way you keep the line going into the adhesive and not the rubber backing or your paint/clearcoat.
After the emblem is removed, you can use a 3M Automotive Adhesive Remover product available at virtually all auto parts stores, Wal-Mart, etc. It ain't cheap, but I used it to remove reflectors and the residue that remains--it's an excellent product designed for this exact application.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: NC, and a stone throw away from SC
RE: removing street glide tank emblems
ORIGINAL: udnudn
Ditto what Mike said --- 2006streetglide those look great on your's
Ditto what Mike said --- 2006streetglide those look great on your's
2006, those emblems are the bomb IMO, thought about doing them in black on mine but found a set of old Springer emblems I may use one of these days or may just have a painter air brush the emblems on, one less thing for me to clean around. Maybe a fall type project when I'm chasing deer. Sweet ride brother!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 10
RE: removing street glide tank emblems
HEY....DONT BOTHER WITH THE DAMN DENTAL FLOSS THING...its a PITA....go get a hard rubber spatula from your wife's kitchen....pry up one side and with firm consitent pull, work it off....then use your thumb(skin part) to roll the extra tape off....you will not hurt your paint...it comes off easy...and it looks good with no emblems...
when puttin on the new ones, use blue or green painters tape to locate them perfect from side to side and up & down....most new emblems dont have a bend but they will contour alittle
when puttin on the new ones, use blue or green painters tape to locate them perfect from side to side and up & down....most new emblems dont have a bend but they will contour alittle
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From:
RE: removing street glide tank emblems
Thanks for the Kudos fellas 
I often wondered how a set of stock SG tank emblems would look with the lettering painted "bright" red and leave the shading or shadow portion of the lettering alone. In fact, I think it would look great to paint the OE tank emblem the same as bike color (ie; black cherry, black pearl or cobalt blue) what do you think?
Someone should do it up in MS Paint or another apllication to see how it would look. I'd really like to see them in red on a black bike.
I often wondered how a set of stock SG tank emblems would look with the lettering painted "bright" red and leave the shading or shadow portion of the lettering alone. In fact, I think it would look great to paint the OE tank emblem the same as bike color (ie; black cherry, black pearl or cobalt blue) what do you think?
Someone should do it up in MS Paint or another apllication to see how it would look. I'd really like to see them in red on a black bike.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From:
RE: removing street glide tank emblems
If anyone has a good set of the chrome emblems from their street Glide, I would like a set for my Street Bob. Thanks Michael
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Took the std Breakout badges off using this method. Worked perfect. Replaced with the std softail badges. Looks much better in my opinion. Great advice. Gotta love the Harley forums.
