Harley Haven

Worst Harley T-Shirts Ever

Published on October 17, 2012

We’ve spent years showcasing cool vintage Harley t-shirts. But today I feel a little embarrassed for doing so. The rice references in the last batch of offensive (yet expensive) Harley t-shirts we reported on push it, even in the 1980s. But these ones go a step beyond the ethnocentricity (nice way of saying kinda racist), sexual innuendo (nice way of saying pretty sexist) and swear words.

Both of the t-shirts below are once again products of the Rocky Mountain Harley Dealership in Littleton Colorado. It still operates to this day. You have to wonder why a store would proudly print these images along side their logo.

The sad part is that both of these t-shirts fetched over $400 each on eBay. Assuming because they’re taboo, perhaps they’re rare – exclusive products of one dealership because we’ve never seen them before. Whatever the case may be definitely not something I’d want in my collection. If I can’t feel proud wearing it in public, I don’t want it.

I’m going to reach out to both Harley Davidson and this dealership to get the word on how these came to fruition and their thoughts in today’s day and age.

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Jimmy J

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6 Comments

John King

October 17, 2012 at 10:03 pm

Wow! Offensive? Yes definitely. Worth some cash in collector circles? Yes.
defunkd

October 17, 2012 at 10:56 pm

Maybe they didn’t mean anything offensive..

fag·ot also fag·got (fgt)
n.1. A bundle of twigs, sticks, or branches bound together.2. A bundle of pieces of iron or steel to be welded or hammered into bars.
tr.v. fag·ot·ed also fag·got·ed, fag·ot·ing also fag·got·ing, fag·ots also fag·gots 1. To bind into a fagot; bundle.2. To decorate with fagoting.
Lord Ched

October 17, 2012 at 11:16 pm

Rather like that anti-Japanese Harley shirt that uses anti-Chinese stereotypes. Was that the same guys?
defunkd

October 17, 2012 at 11:23 pm

Just checked, don’t think that one had a dealer attached to it. I haven’t ever seen that one again.

http://www.defunkd.com/blog/2009/05/31/vintage-harley-davidson-japan-t-shirt/
bodhi

October 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm

That second shirt *screams* insecurity.
fast eddie

August 1, 2013 at 11:21 am

not a reply to you freind , they closed comments but not replies .But what people dont realize if they werent from that time ,1%ers kept harley davidson alive and t shirts were underground, our generations suit and tie, , merely owning a harley and wearing dirty t shirts were the ultimate way of holding up the middle finger w our opinion , its called freedom to kick your ass if you didnt like , , the 1977 harley confederate , thats right ,And ,81 is the initials for the hells angels , and sturgis was theyre party ,(and was where the 81,(actually planned from 1980), sturgis was debuted the year of willie gs buyback ,all urban myth but (a tribute no dought in my mind), you s problem is indeed political correctness ,as the old saying goes too , Opinions are like assholes ,like a radio ,if you turn it everytime you hear a song you dont like , it be easier for you just to turn it off, but your the only one in the room who dosent want to hear it. so just shut up and play , ok!