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3D Emblem Harley Davidson bad to the bone 1987 single stitch T-shirt

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2026 12:15 pm
by CF9
Hi! I’m looking for a professional second opinion on this 1987 Harley-Davidson "Bad to the Bone" Hog tee. While the tag and single-stitch construction look promising at first glance, a few details regarding the print quality are raising red flags for me.
Concerns:
1. Print Texture: The graphic appears quite "grainy" with a visible halftone dot pattern in the close-ups. My understanding is that original 3D Emblem prints from this era typically feature a much smoother, thicker ink deposit.
2. Copyright Logo: The "© 1987 3D EMBLEM" hit looks unusually bold and "perfect" compared to the slightly more distressed or thinner font often seen on authentic survivors.
3. Tag/Wash: The Bar & Shield tag is present, but I’d like to confirm if the font on the reverse (care instructions) aligns with late 80s production.
I’ve attached high-res photos of the front/back graphics, the 3D Emblem copyright detail, the single-stitch hem, and both sides of the tag.
Is this a bootleg or a genuine deadstock/well-preserved original?
Thanks in advance for the expertise!

Re: 3D Emblem Harley Davidson bad to the bone 1987 single stitch T-shirt

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2026 5:55 pm
by jimmyj
At a quick glance on my phone, if your main concern is whether it's from the 80s, it's not.

It's very much inline with a 90s Harley reissue, that lacked in the proper 3D Emblem style.

Again, quick glance, the tag doesn't match the fakes we have on file, but that universe is deep - and the print itself is poor enough quality to raise eyebrows - yet the official Harley repros of these also lacked compared to the ones printed by 3D Emblem.