The Short Answers
Chrome Rims - were an option on new bikes throughout the year.
Chrome Handlebars - were probably available as an Accessory from mid-model year 1949. They were only available on new bikes starting May 6, 1949.
Colors - Black, all year. Flight Red and Azure Blue, available on new bikes starting May 6, 1949.
We have to examine 4 pieces of literature in order to unravel these questions.
1) 1949 Season Order Blank (SOB)
This is shown in
The Legend Begins (TLB). Harley sometimes revised the SOBs during the model year, for various reasons. Only one version is shown in TLB. Many of the SOBs have a date code in the upper left corner. The 1949 shown in TLB does not, so we can't tell whether it was the first one for the model year, or a revision. I think it was revision. (Why? Keep reading.).
- 1949 Season Order Blank - Excerpt
Cut-off words at right are "Sheepskin" and "Saddle Bags"
- 1949-sob.jpg (78.34 KiB) Viewed 14037 times
The Season Order Blank shows that Chrome Rims were the only option. Below that, we see that
Accessories, available on
Parts Order, which include "Handlebars". We think they left out the word "Chrome".
2) 1949 Spare Parts Catalog (SPC)
The 1949 SPC, dated November 1, 1948, shows the available accessories on the inside rear cover. They are: Sheepskin Saddle Cover, Chrome Mirror, Grease Gun, Chrome License Frame, All Plastic WindShield, Set of Stainless Steel Fender Tips, Safety Guard, DeLuxe Saddlebags, Luggage Carrier, Stoplight Fittings, and Tire Pump.
Chrome handlebars are NOT listed on the Accessories page. They are NOT listed in the Handlebars section. It appears that they were NOT available on November 1, 1948, contradictory to what the SOB says. So either the SOB is a revision (more likely IMHO), or the SPC editor just snoozed when doing the Handlebar section (less likely IMHO).
3)
1949 Spring Special factory-to-dealer letter and order blankThe 1949 Spring Special was announced to dealers on May 6, 1949. Read the very bottom of the order blank carefully. The Special Colors (Flight Red and Azure Blue) are only available with the chrome handlebars. "On Black, chrome bars are optional and must be specified". So, starting May 6, 1949, chrome handlebars were avaiable from the factory.
4) 1950 SOB
The 1950 SOB dated 11-1-1949 shows Chrome Handlebars as an option on new 1950 bikes.
And you thought this was an easy question...
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You REALLY need to own the book
The Legend Begins Harley P/N: 99403-93, available at your local H-D dealership.