Harley-Davidson News and Events

When the boss asks me to accessorize a stock standard bike off the showroom floor, for display in our dealership, it’s always a challenge. Firstly, he most often gives me a budget to work with and that budget is usually tight. Secondly, being an authorised Harley-Davidson dealer, we always try to use genuine parts, bar say the paint and exhaust system.

And of course, I always try to come up with something that’s different. In light of the above conditions, that’s no easy feat. So for this build, I drew on my past. And for those of you who have been around the Harley lifestyle long enough to remember, this should be obvious the minute you lay your eyes on this bike.

Bikes like this were all the go back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Stripped down, minimalistic yet different from the pack. Solo seat, wide low western style bars and custom paint were the cornerstone of this style of bike. So that’s what we went with. Simple yet stunning two tone paint, cream on the upper panels with vivid black on the lower part all separated by a red and gold pin stripe. To finish it off we used a H-D bar and shield tank badge off the Fatbob which I think finishes it off nicely without being too gaudy if you get my drift. And you can’t beat the cool tough look of those wide beefy western bars with internal wiring. I hate the spaghetti exposed. It gives a bike that unfinished look.

We lowered the bike at the rear and fitted a set of genuine indicator visors along with an LED Tri Bar taillight which finishes off the rear end nicely I think. Harley’s new Ventilator breather, a Race Tuner and a set of the new Vance & Hines 3 inch slash down mufflers took care of the gases going in and out, and the difference this simple modification makes is amazing. No Harley should ever leave a dealership without changing these 3 things!! The V&H mufflers have a real tough sound to them too! When it came to what foot pegs and grips to use, I came to a bit of a speed hump. The black diamond, Willie G skull and flame collection etc etc has been done to death. So we tried the Silencer collection which is something different, and I reckon it works ok with this bike. But hey, you be the judge!

At the end of the day we have something different that won’t break the bank. And as always I must thank our boys and girls in the service department for their care and efforts. After all, its one thing to come up with the idea, but it’s another thing entirely to actually make it happen J

Tony Williams.