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A logo of energy and freedom, Harley-Davidson is a cultural icon beloved by bike fanatics the world over.

Harley-Davidson Brand. Supply: WikiCommons

Right this moment, we’ll discover the historical past of this cherished model, dive into its legendary brand, and showcase fonts closest to that utilized by the model. 

The Story of Harley-Davidson

The story of Harley-Davidson begins in 1901 when 20-year-old William S. Harley had an concept for a motor-bicycle. He and his childhood good friend Arthur Davidson labored on a prototype of his design for 2 years till it was lastly completed with the assistance of Arthur’s brother Walter Davidson in 1903.

Although this primary motor-bicycle did not reside as much as its potential when examined, the three associates promptly set to work on a more practical prototype. In January 1905, the trio constructed 5 bikes based mostly on this new prototype within the Davidson household yard shed and managed to promote three of them. In 1906, the Harley and Davidson brothers constructed their first manufacturing unit and produced 50 bikes.

After Harley graduated from college with a level in mechanical engineering in 1907, the companions expanded their manufacturing unit. At this level, a 3rd Davidson brother William, stop his job and joined the corporate, which went on to extend its manufacturing to 150 bikes that 12 months.

By 1914, manufacturing had elevated to over 16,000 bikes, and Harley-Davidson had outstripped all different manufacturers to dominate bike racing. By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the biggest bike producer on this planet, with over 28,000 machines produced and sellers in 67 international locations.

Harley-Davidson designs gave rise to what’s often called the chopper bike type. 

Over the many years, the corporate has weathered main upheavals and challenges just like the Nice Melancholy, WWI and WWII, and stiff competitors from the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. Regardless of the challenges, as we speak Harley-Davidson is likely one of the largest bike producers with loyal followers who’ve created proprietor golf equipment and worldwide occasions.

Evolution of the Harley-Davidson Bar and Defend Brand

Although Harley-Davidson launched its first bike in 1903, the corporate’s official brand adopted some years later in 1910. That was when Janet Davidson, aunt to the Davidson brothers, designed the corporate’s first brand. It featured the corporate identify Harley-Davidson written in tall lettering inside a bar which was positioned over a protect. The usage of the bar and the protect have been meant to characterize stability and power.

Harley-Davidson Bar and Defend Brand. Supply: Wilkins Harley-Davidson

This brand was then modified within the early Fifties to rejoice the model’s fiftieth anniversary. Right now, a V-shape was added, the fonts have been modified, and all the brand was given a metallic end.

Supply: Wilkins Harley-Davidson

A decade and a half later, in 1965 to be precise, the model reverted to its authentic brand however modernised it with a change of the font to Helvetica for the textual content “Harley-Davidson”, a particular hand-drawn font for the textual content “Motor Cycles”, a black and white color palette, and a sharpening of the form of the bar and protect emblem.

Supply: Wilkins Harley-Davidson

Right this moment, the color scheme has been up to date to orange, black, and white. 

Harley-Davidson Brand. Supply: WikiCommons

Harley-Davidson Brand Design Components

The Harley-Davidson brand consists of three distinct components:

• a protect and bar emblem
• two completely different types of textual content in daring sans serif
• a black, orange, and white color scheme

What Font Is the Harley-Davidson Brand?

The Harley-Davidson brand makes use of two fonts: Helvetica for the “Harley-Davidson” textual content and a particular hand-drawn font for the “Motor Cycles” textual content.

What Are the Harley-Davidson Signature Colors?

Right this moment, Harley-Davidson makes use of a black protect and bar emblem. It makes use of white lettering for the phrases “Harley-Davidson” and a colour known as Harley-Davidson Orange (#F58220) for the phrases “Motor Cycles”. The orange can be used to border the protect and the bar.

Different Harley-Davidson Logos 

Harley-Davidson has used many different emblems and logos as tank badges all through its historical past. Listed below are a number of of one of the best recognized:

Harley-Davidson Wings Brand

First utilized in 1910 as a logo of freedom, velocity, and the spirit of journey, the Harley-Davidson wings brand has undergone a number of tweaks over the many years however has remained true to the unique design. Right this moment, it is used on numerous H-D equipment and merchandise.

Harley-Davidson Cranium Brand

Some H-D fanatics date the primary use of the Harley-Davidson cranium brand again to the early Nineteen Thirties, but it surely’s unclear when the emblem first appeared. Identified as we speak because the ‘Willie G Cranium Chrome’ after Willie G Davidson, grandson of the unique cofounder of the corporate, the cranium was by no means formally used as the corporate’s brand however is certainly a part of their model identification and seems on a lot of the corporate’s merchandise. 

Willie G Cranium Chrome. Supply: Harley-Davidson web site

Harley-Davidson Eagle Brand

Because the eagle is a well-liked American image of power, patriotism, and fearlessness, the Harley-Davidson eagle brand was created in 1974 by Paul Smith as tank decals for the 1976 V-Twin bikes honouring USA’s 2 hundredth Bicentennial Anniversary. The emblem was a right away hit with bikers, a lot of whom had it tattooed onto their chests and arms.

Harley-Davidson Eagle Brand. Supply: Paul Smith Studio

What Font Is Closest to the Harley-Davidson Brand?

As we have already talked about, the Harley-Davidson brand makes use of two fonts. One is customized and never obtainable for public use, and the opposite is closest to Helvetica Neue Condensed Black. Should you’re trying to create your individual brand utilizing the Harley-Davidson fonts, we have a number of ideas for you.

1. Sandbox Condensed Typeface (TTF)

In case you are in search of a clear, trendy font that is much like the Harley-Davidson font, then Sandbox is a good alternative for you. This terrific sans serif is ideal for headers. It is available in a lot of types and contains eight brand templates.

2. Morguns Condensed Sans Serif(TTF, OTF, WOFF) 

Morguns is a novel sans serif font that gives mushy, rounded edges slightly than sharp ones. It contains 4 weights and types so that you’ve got a little bit of flexibility to create a novel look. Morguns is a superb alternative for branding, logos, magazines, movies, web sites, titles, captions, and extra. 

3. Nordams Sans Serif (TTF, OTF)

Clear, minimalist, and crowd pleasing, Nordams is a superb font to decide on if you want a daring font for branding, merchandising, titles, and others. This sans serif gives uppercase characters solely, however that is all you may want. 

4. Neohead Condensed Sans Serif Font

This clear and classy sans serif typeface is a good alternative for logos, product packaging labels, branding, web sites, and extra. Neohead contains higher and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual help. 

5. Okana Sans Serif Font (TTF, OTF) 

A daring sans serif provided in 16 types, Okana is ideal if you’re in search of a font that is closest to Harley-Davidson. Okana is a good alternative for branding, logos, journal titles, movies, headlines, posters, T-shirts, and extra.

6. Hardela Retro Script Font (TTF, OTF)

Seeking to create your individual model of the Harley-Davidson script font? How about Hardela Retro Script Font? There’s nothing like the true factor, however you may create an excellent retro look with this font. The font contains higher and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual help. 

Fonts Closest to the “Motor Cycles” Font

As we have already decided, the “Motor Cycles” textual content within the Harley-Davidson brand was customized. Though there are not any publicly obtainable fonts which can be precisely prefer it, you may create the same impact with these wonderful fonts. 

7. Noctagon Daring Octagonal Sans Serif Font (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

Take a look at Noctagon, a cool show font you could customise to create distinctive textual content. Noctagon contains each common and italic types and gives a lot of alternates and ligatures.

8. Sagu Exora Show Sans Font (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

In search of an eye catching font in your subsequent brand? Sagu Exora Show Sans Font is a good alternative for branding, logos, banners, posters, and a lot extra. Sage gives 4 completely different types to select from: common, define, tough, and indirect. 

9. Urbano Daring Header Typeface (TTF, OTF) 

Urbano Daring Header Typeface will carry its personal distinctive contact to your subsequent challenge. Whether or not you are creating a brand new model, or an excellent poster, Urbano will stand out from the pack. The font contains higher and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, alternates, and multilingual help.

10. Ez-Bekario Sans Trendy Show (TTF, OTF)

Obtain Ez-Bekario Sans Trendy Show in your subsequent challenge and create elegant standout textual content. Ez-Bekario Sans Trendy Show contains a lot of ligatures and particular characters so you may create simply the look you are after.

Obtain Your Favorite Assets Right this moment

Now we have answered your questions on what font Harley-Davidson makes use of, and also you now know a complete lot concerning the Harley-Davidson fonts and logos. So head over to Envato Components to take a look at the various fonts closest to the Harley-Davidson font and obtain the best one in your subsequent challenge.

Listed below are extra high sources to attempt from Envato Tuts+: