Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Remember When...

..you were different, a rebel, or thought it was cool to wear a Harley shirt?

From the Pre-Evo era. I bought this one at the Orange County M/C swap meet around 1979-80.


A friend of mine (not pictured) had this one. This design was being sold around the same time as the one above. In case you can't make it out, it's a big Harley tattooed arm squeezing three little cartoon (and not very flattering), Japanese dudes. Their hats read, Honda, Suzuki, and the other either said Yamaha or Kawasaki ? (from the Harley Porn photo page)


I thought this one was funny and wore it until it was a tattered rag. I believe it's dated 1988. Acid wash and graphics certainly date it.

I'm sad to say, I pretty much stopped wearing factory shirts about 10 or so years ago. It felt like it went from cool to bandwagon way before that. I just don't dig to be lumped in with the stereotype image of today's Harley rider or how corporate or marketed it's all feels. Most of the new shirt's designs aren't my style to boot.

Now don't go thinking I'm ALL anti the Factory or new bikes. Sometimes I cut them slack and sometimes I don't. Maybe it's just because "Nothing's Cool Anymore"!!

4 comments:

KNUCKLE BUSTER 1939 said...

"Nothing's cool anymore"...I say that all the fuckin' time...until I get on a greasy, rusty Knucklehead...but maybe that's only cool to me...wtf

Chris K said...

Knuckleheads (are cool), Forever!

Heather said...

Agreed! Nothing is cool anymore!

grant said...

i had both those top two shirts! Chris, if you need some NOS old factory shirts from that time i have a bunch at the Cyclelodge, probably 1977-86?