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The 1951 Harley-Davidson Police Special was uniquely available in the rare "Police Silver" color. Explore more photos of this classic motorcycle.Harley's police motorcycles, including the 1951 Harley-Davidson Police Special, were equipped with a variety of duty-specific gear and often came in distinctive colors not available on civilian models. While pre-war bikes were typically painted Police Blue, many postwar models, like this one, featured Police Silver.
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Restoring a police motorcycle is more challenging due to the additional specialized equipment, which is often difficult to replace as original parts are rare and reproduction items are hard to find.
The rarity of Harley-Davidson Police motorcycles creates difficulties for collectors.The left saddlebag of the motorcycle actually houses a two-way radio, while a brass fire extinguisher is mounted on the right side.
The Harley-Davidson Police Special was outfitted with a fire extinguisher as standard equipment.Not all police motorcycles were outfitted with bright chrome details. Many featured black-painted fork legs, wheels, and primary cases, giving them a more subdued look.
The tank-mounted speedometer was a familiar sight for Harley riders of the era.The first Harley-Davidson police motorcycle was deployed by the city of Detroit, Michigan, in 1908.
To discover more about Harley-Davidson and other vintage motorcycles, explore:
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
- How Harley-Davidson Works
- How Choppers Work
- Chopper Profiles
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
