Hi guys. Anyone ever try flattening/straightening a tank emblem for use on a flat surface? Looks pretty thin... I thought it might be possible.

I'd like to use a Street Glide tank emblem (see below) on the back of my King Tour-Pak. I've seen the Road Glide Ultra Tour-Pak emblem, and I like it... but I'd like to match the tank on my FLHX.

I've included a pic to show the curvature and thickness of the tank emblem.

 

I haven't had mine off, but imagine that they are cast metal, which wouldn't lend to bending very much. Even if you could get it bent, you would need to have it re-chromed, as it would crack in the process. I wouldn't try to bend it without quite a bit of heat, which still may not work or deform the badge in the process. Make sure and post back if try it. I'd be interested in the results (just out of curiosity, I don't have a need to do it.)

 

You can always get tank emblem part number 61774-51T which looks a lot like the one you want to bend. But 61774-51T comes already straightened.

 

If you study one you will find it bends in both horizontal and vertical directions. As sedouglas points out they are probably monkey-metal die castings and the prospects of flattening one are not good IMHO. There are similar decals used in the past, would one of them do? Fortunately my ole lady came with decals and I did exactly as you would like, put one on my tourpak, and another on my batwing, but that was easy!

 

A really good custom painter could paint one just like it and make it look like chrome too.
SC

 

Thank you very much for your input, guys. I think I'll forget trying to flatten a tank emblem and go with a Road Glide Ultra Tour-Pak emblem instead. Looks like this:

 

Then again, I've already got this emblem sitting on a shelf in the garage. Bike's already skulled up, so it would be in keeping with the theme.

Willie G Skull haters need not apply.

 

The skulls thing goes straight over my head - don't see the fascination, but the RG emblem looks fine!

 

JMO it looks better with nothing back there....you have a great looking bike why cover it with emblems.