New tank emblems
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I'm sure the factory have jigs to help them install on the production line, but I suspect you are going to have to do this by eye. If they are metal you will probably find there is a sweet spot where they seem to fit best (before taking off the backing on the sticky part!). Use masking tape to outline the location on each side, then a flexible tape to check as well as you can off fixed parts of the tank, such as the front mounting lug and filler neck. With a little patience I reckon you can create a tape boundary within which the badge will fit.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
I'm sure the factory have jigs to help them install on the production line, but I suspect you are going to have to do this by eye. If they are metal you will probably find there is a sweet spot where they seem to fit best (before taking off the backing on the sticky part!). Use masking tape to outline the location on each side, then a flexible tape to check as well as you can off fixed parts of the tank, such as the front mounting lug and filler neck. With a little patience I reckon you can create a tape boundary within which the badge will fit.
I'll use a seamstress measuring tape and blue painters masking tape. I figure on making a tight box that the new tank emblem will go in.
I'm guessing that should get it as close as possible.
Even if it's not 110% perfect...........my grandma used to say: "A man on horseback won't notice"!
I want to replace the stock SG emblems with these.
Last edited by BlackSpecial; Nov 10, 2013 at 04:37 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I recently had a 'new' tank painted for my Glide and a fresh set of factory decals put on it, by the painter. I have deliberately not compared both sides, for fear of what I might see..... 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
a lift or jack to hold the bike centered, then a laser level to find horizontal...then go from there.
double sided tape to hold temporarily in place adjust position until it appeals to your eye
mike
double sided tape to hold temporarily in place adjust position until it appeals to your eye
mike
I've put the Streetbob Emblems on my Ultra tank. Took me about 2 hours with masking tape en measuring. At first, as said by mstngjoe find the best spot and use that as your staring point.
This is one job not to rush for the best result
This is one job not to rush for the best result
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Even if both sides are not exact, who will ever be able to see both sides of the tank at the same time, Nobody!!!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
Here is an image of my Switchback badges on the Roadie. I have done this job three times in the past, here is how I do it.
First yes they have a sweet spot for the curve that will get you 90% of the way there. That is only front to back. But the angle to horizontal will give you a lot of play. The best move is two people, one to hold and one to stand 10' away and look. At the end of the day it has "to look right", no measurement is going to give you that. Some people like them perfectly horizontal and some like the front up to follow the rake of the bike, just don't put them facing down in front. Once your spotter likes the location, painters tape to hold it in place then go check it again and again. More tape to mark some reference marks and stick 'em on.
Now the hard part, the other side. Again front to back is pretty much set by the curve of the tank and badge. I found the best place for me to be was on the bike looking down at the badges to check for even. Then the second person stands 10' away and tries their best to make it look like the other side. Painters tape to hold it and mark your agreed upon location is the move. As long as you are 99% on the mark, you will be golden.
Despite what others say, I had a painter install badges on my WG, and they were very uneven. No one else could tell, BUT me when on the bike looking down it was very obvious and drove my crazy. I wound up spending a lot of time removing them, buffing out the paint and installing new badges using the method above.
Can't stress enough, then just need to look "right".
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