THE '76 BICENTENNIAL EDITION: THE BIRTH OF AN ICON
Written by The Harley-Davidson Museum
Photos by Josh Kurpius Archival photos courtesy of H-D Museum
This year, the Enthusiast™ collection adds a third Liberty Edition motorcycle to the Harley-Davidson® legacy. Featuring eagle and number one graphics, these limited-edition bikes aren’t just inspired by the brand’s legendary iconography, they’re a nod to the Motor Company’s famous 1976 Bicentennial Liberty Edition models. In honor of 250 years of America, we dug into the archives to look at the first Liberty Edition model designs and how the brand celebrated the big 2-0-0.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S LIBERTY EDITION MOTORCYCLES
“THE NOSTALGIA “TRIP” IS REALLY IN RIGHT NOW. AND, IN MOTORCYCLES, MURAL GASOLINE TANK ART HAS BECOME A VERY EXPRESSIVE, POPULAR CUSTOM BIKE TECHNIQUE.”
- Willie G. Davidson
In 1975, Willie G. Davidson wrote to dealers and readers of The Enthusiast about the inspiration and meanings behind the Bicentennial designs:
“The nostalgia "trip" is really in right now, especially with the bi-centennial [sic], with everything from collectables to clothing. And, in motorcycles, mural gasoline tank art has become a very expressive, popular custom bike technique.
Somehow these elements could be combined in one dynamite package which would say it all through a design concept applied to a gasoline tank. This concept should include three important elements:
1. A beautifully drawn and rendered eagle, the symbol of American freedom.
2. The eagle will have in his claws the original Harley-Davidson trademark symbolic of the company's history and longevity. The country was founded in 1776 and the company in 1903, and both are still going strong. Harley-Davidson epitomizes the American free enterprise system—four good guys did their thing 73 years ago and today the company name is as well known as Coca-Cola®.
3. The Number One shall definitely be included because it obviously says it all and has become a universal, instantly recognizable symbol amongst all motorcyclists and, more importantly, up and coming bikers.”
Willie worked with Milwaukee artist Paul Smith (a Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider, of course) to generate ideas for the design. “After a period of elimination and revision we finally worked up the version you see here, which we have named the Liberty Edition,” Willie wrote.
The patriotic design was applied to the motorcycles with vinyl film decals and accented by a special paint.
“Available only with the Liberty Edition artwork, the Black Sequin is a unique process of suspended aluminum chips in a clear acrylic paint. The clear/sequin finish is applied at the York paint facility over wet black to achieve this striking effect. See it in the sun to really appreciate its high visual impact,” Willie wrote.
AMERICA’S BICENTENNIAL OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAN INTO THE NOSTALGIA OF ALL THINGS RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.
A Salute to American Motorcycling
Harley-Davidson staged these colorful Liberty Edition models alongside other iconic motorcycles in an exhibition titled “A Salute to American Motorcycling.”
According to the May-June issue of The Enthusiast, “Bike enthusiasts of all persuasions took the doors off the hinges” of the Daytona Hilton in March of 1976. The temporary motorcycle museum celebrated America’s sole surviving motorcycle manufacturer alongside America’s bicentennial and the 35th anniversary of Daytona Beach Speedweek.
The set up included iconic competition motorcycles such as Joe Petrali’s 1935 Peashooter, Lou Gerencer’s 1975 champion hill climber, and Joe Smith’s double V-Twin drag bike. These legendary loaned models were included alongside numerous historic Harley-Davidson motorcycles that made the trek from the factory, including Serial Number One, the 1936 Model EL, the Bonneville Streamliner, the WLA, and the first Sportster®; plus, modern marvels such as the first Super Glide®, new Italian models, and of course, the 1976 Liberty Edition motorcycles.
Variations on a Theme
As Willie noted in his letter on the Liberty Editions, America’s Bicentennial offered an opportunity to lean into the nostalgia of all things red, white, and blue. The company had fun with the theme, including “A Very Revolutionary Offer” campaign of $17.76 in freebies with a dealership visit (which included goggles, a belt buckle, and maintenance aids) and a military sales campaign revisiting Uncle Sam’s “I Want You.” There was also the new “Spirit of ‘76” jacket featuring red, white, and blue stripes and H-D® Number One logo.
Paul Smith (who will be inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in 2026) also created a 4x6 foot painting for the Bicentennial incorporating the elements represented on the Liberty Edition bikes. The painting was reproduced as a poster (sold for $2.00, according to The Enthusiast) and also used for marketing postcards, a calendar, and other graphics. Today, you can see Paul Smith’s original oil painting and a 1976 Liberty Edition Electra Glide on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
EXPERIENCE THE HISTORY OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Discover culture and history through stories and exhibits that celebrate expression, camaraderie and love for the sport.
EXPLORE MORE FROM THE ARCHIVES
LIFE ON THE MURDERDROME: H-D AND THE SPORT THAT TERRIFIED EVERYONE
Long before racing glory, Harley-Davidson’s uneasy entry into board track competition was lived on the edge by riders like L.E. Bowen.
FLASHBACK: STEP INSIDE THE DAYTONA 1960 MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Daytona Bike Week celebrates its 85th year, offering the perfect moment to look back at the rally’s iconic 1960 roots
ALFONSO SOTOMAYOR AND MEXICAN STUNT RIDING
Harley-Davidson’s century-long history in Mexico is filled with pioneering riders and legendary stunt performers like Alfonso Sotomayor.
HELMETS THROUGH HISTORY
From humble leather caps to modern safety gear, the evolution of motorcycle helmets balances protection, performance, and pure self-expression.
RIDING FORWARD: 85 YEARS OF THE MOTOR MAIDS
Founded in 1940 by pioneers Dorothy “Dot” Robinson and Linda Dugeau, the Motor Maids became the first women’s national motorcycle club.
RIDING THROUGH HISTORY: ELDRED R. HARRINGTON’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON ADVENTURES
Eldred R. Harrington, a prolific Enthusiast writer from 1944–1965, was revisited by Harley-Davidson archives during the Hydra-Glide’s 75th anniversary.
EARLY RIDING WEAR
In the earliest images in the Harley-Davidson archives, riders’ clothing always stands out.
LESLIE “RED” PARKHURST
Parkhurst was a good-natured athlete whose enthusiasm made him a real crowd-pleaser, both on and off the track.
THE WORLD'S FASTEST HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Built for Speed. Born for Glory. The Return of a Legend.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON DURING WWII
A brief look at how the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, employees and riders contributed to the war effort.
THE FOUNDERS OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON
They could have scarcely imagined what they had started.
WILLIE G. DAVIDSON
A tireless artist, enthusiastic rider, and grandson of a co-founder of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
10 PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON HISTORY
Countless riders, employees, and fans have been at the heart of Harley-Davidson's 120 year history.
120 YEARS OF STYLE
From instant icons to just plain cool: a glimpse at historic Harley-Davidson® apparel.
BUILDING A MILWAUKEE ICON
Explore the legendary campus that remains Harley-Davidson's headquarters through this look at how the Juneau Ave. factory developed from 1906 through the 1920s.