Design your own Harley - and win it!

Published Apr 2, 2012

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If there's one thing Harley-Davidson is known for it's customisation; from the post-Second World War Bobbers to Wille G Davidson's iconic 1971 FX Super Glide, to today's aftermarket catalogue of more than 800 pages, a Harley is more than just motorcycle, it's an expression of the rider's personality.

And it's that self-expression that has led the Motor Company to team up with some outstanding contemporary artists from around the world to launch a design competition that will search for new art to appear on custom Harley-Davidson fuel tanks.

The 'Art of Custom' competition was launched in Miami's Wynwood art district, an area famous for providing walls to act as blank canvases for the world's most celebrated street artists.

American artist Lebo, whose work graces the walls and galleries of Wynwood, kicked off the campaign by designing three tanks that are now featured on the new Harley-Davidson digital tank wall, an online version of the real-life wall housed in the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

The wall also features tanks by Irish character artist Terry Bradley, as well as some of the most memorable designs of the past century, among them Willie G's classic 1971 FX Super Glide and the 2008 'Cross Bones', which formed the basis for the motorcycle ridden by Captain America in the 2011 Hollywood film.

And now it's over to you.

You can download the tank template from the Art of Custom website and bring to life your own interpretation of the Harley-Davidson spirit in any style you wish; from paints to graphics, entrants can use the tank as a blank canvas to express themselves just as the Harley-Davidson styling team have done for more than a century.

Then you can upload your design to the digital tank wall, where visitors to the site will vote for their favourite design. The top 50 will go forward to a panel of judges including members of the Harley-Davidson styling team, competition ambassador Lebo and Terry Bradley, who will whittle the entries down to the final 10.

The public will then vote again to choose the winner, who will visit the Harley-Davidson plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see their design re-created on their prize - a Harley Sportster.

Two runners up will have tanks customised with their design and displayed at the Harley-Davidson museum.

Harley-Davidson communications manager Matthew Knott explained:

“Our customers choose our motorcycles as a means to express themselves, and we have been customising bikes for more 100 years. We're the only mass market brand that still creates designs by hand and we want to share that with anybody who has the vision to create and express themselves.”

Closing date for entries is Monday, April 30.

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harley davidson