Bikers are a patriotic breed, and it’s not unusual to see Old Glory flying in the breeze behind a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, or painted along the side of its tanks or fenders.
In answer to questions raised by many riders regarding the proper display, positioning and precedence of flags displayed on their Harley, the following guidelines reflect proper protocol when flying flags on your bike.
When the United States flag is flown alone on your motorcycle, flag etiquette calls for it to be either centered on the bike or mounted to its "marching right"; its own right as the vehicle is moving forward (which would be the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when sitting astride).
If the U.S. flag is displayed on your bike with another flag of any type, it should be positioned to its "marching right."
When the U.S. flag is on your bike with other non-national flags (POW/MIA, service banners, fraternal flags, etc.), the U.S. flag is placed at the center and at the highest point of the group. According to the United States Flag Code, NO flag should ever be larger or displayed higher than the U.S. flag.
If the U.S. flag is displayed on your bike with those of any other nation, the flags should be approximately equal in size and flown from separate staffs of the same height, with the U.S. flag to the marching right and other countries’ flags arranged to the left in alphabetical order in English. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. The order of precedence for flags generally is nations first, states (host state first, then others in the order of admission) districts and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), military (in order of establishment: Ar my, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force), then any others.
Also noteworthy, when the American flag is painted on the side of a motorcycle or other vehicle, the custom is that the stars face toward the front of the vehicle, regardless of which side the flag is on (giving the impression that the flag is flying in the wind as the vehicle moves forward).
The flag of the United States of America represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Proper display reflects pride in country and respect for your American-made motorcycle!
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Topic: Flag Etiquette From the Chicago H-D Newsletter (Read 903 times)