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Production Customs
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CVO Models
Eric Bass
12/01/2003
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Tis’ the season once again, and though an electric vest would be nice, or an
intercom system might bring you and your partner closer together—let’s face it—
nothing really says, “I love you” like a full-blown motorcycle. And while a
shiny new hog certainly makes for a handsome stocking stuffer, one may choose to
eschew buying the stock version in favor of a more personal gift; something that
celebrates them as a man—or woman—apart. Something, say, from Harley-Davidson’s
Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) collection.
 The recent factory-custom trend
has taken root as a marriage between the manufacturer’s desire to keep
after-market parts dollars in-house and the bike buyer’s desire for
enhanced performance and exclusivity. The Motor Company incorporates
synergistically functioning Screamin’ Eagle engine mods into its CVO offerings
and adds distinctive accessories to create a small run of mechanically superior
uber-hogs. Granted, the CVO bikes are more “limited edition” than “custom,” but
nonetheless, this obviates the need to pore over parts catalogs and color charts
in an attempt to compose your personal moto-masterpiece. Besides, allowing for
color scheme variations, there will only be about 1,000 other rugged
individualists riding around on the same bike as you. (Click image to enlarge)
FLSTFSE Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy
Despite its less than flattering moniker,
the Fat Boy has always been one of H-D’s best selling designs. In the Screamin’
Eagle iteration, the rear suspension has been lowered to present more of a
bar-hopper aesthetic. The CVO group has also dolled up the corpulent cruiser
with a plethora of chrome accoutrements, including a flying teardrop–shaped
air-cleaner cover, rakish slash-down pipes, a gleaming front end, zoomy chin
spoiler, and a steel pan-style seat with a decorative chrome pillion. Not to put
too fine a point on it but, if it isn’t painted, it’s chromed. The Screamin’
Eagle Fat Boy can be “customized” in three two-tone color schemes: Platinum Mist
and Slate, Candy Cobalt and Starlight Black, and Electric Cherry and Vivid
Black. These are each accented by “metal grind” streaks of exposed steel on the
tank and fenders. Lest one assume that their $27,995 was getting them all show
and no go, the Screamin’ Eagle speed merchants have replaced the Fat Boy’s
standard 88B engine with a hand-built 103ci (1690cc) Stroker Twin Cam engine
tuned to crank out more than 100 ft. lbs. of torque. A Stage 1 air cleaner kit
stokes the fuel injectors, and a heavy-duty starter and hydraulically-controlled
clutch have been added as well. In the event your local miscreants missed the
commandment about not coveting thy neighbor’s hog, a Harley-Davidson alarm
system with siren comes as standard equipment on the Screamin’ Eagle Fat
Boy.
 VRSCSE Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod
The V-Rod’s execution was so spot-on
when it debuted just three years ago that the thought of tinkering with it was
anathema to most. Although H-D’s design team replaced the outdated 140 mph
speedometers with new and improved 150 mph speedometers, (thereby making the
bike 10 mph faster in the eyes of countless loyalists) little else has changed.
Even the various paint schemes released in subsequent years have yet to really
improve upon the distinctive elegance of the initial brushed aluminum offering,
suggesting the best thing Messrs. Harley and Davidson have done for the V-Rod is
to leave it alone. Until now. Remarkably, the CVO unit has managed to take a
bike that was already rated a “10” and turn it into an “11.” For $25,495 the
V-Rod has received a 10 percent boost in torque and horsepower, courtesy of a
1250cc Screamin’ Eagle “big-bore” version of the standard 1130cc liquid-cooled,
fuel-injected 60-degree Revolution V-Twin engine. New pistons throb inside
CNC-ported cylinder heads for superior intake and exhaust flow, and cam timing
has been performance optimized. Aside from giving the power cruiser a new seat
and a chrome bath, the most significant cosmetic alteration is the replacement
of the V-Rod’s signature disc wheels with chromed forged-aluminum five-spokers.
This has the added benefit of reducing the disconcerting lean angles caused by
occasional crosswinds acting on the solid discs. (Click image to enlarge)
 FLHTCSE2 Screamin’ Eagle Electra Glide 2
Newly minted for the
well-appointed road warrior, the $29,995 Screamin’ Eagle Electra Glide ensures
that Harley-Davidson’s cushiest steed will be the belle of the ball, no matter
its destination. This lion of the “blacktop jungle” arrives resplendent in three
new color combinations: Sunrise Yellow Pearl and Stingray Silver, Two-Tone Candy
Cherry, and Two-Tone Candy Teal. It also includes color-matched inner fairing
panel, fairing lowers, fuel-tank console inserts, and a detachable chopped
Tour-Pak equipped with an interior light and carry-out liner. The list of
chromed components is exhaustive in its scope and includes the Thunderstar
floating brake rotors and wheels. The fuel-injected Screamin’ Eagle 103 Stroker
Twin Cam engine again replaces the 88B, and is tuned to produce a 20 percent
increase in torque, churning out over 100 ft. lbs at 3,500 rpm. Should the
motor’s rhythmic pulsing become less than music to ones ears, a premium sound
system with integrated amplifier and high-performance speakers comes standard to
sooth rider and passenger while they are comforted in generous leather seats and
backrests. A security system allows you to sleep easy when traveling, and a
garage door opener will make even the last few feet of your journey an exercise
in convenience. (Click image to enlarge)
www.harley-davidson.com
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