The Folks at the Factory Have Done It Again

A few years back, 1998 to be exact, Harley-Davidson embarked on a project that would allow a select few of its engineers and designers to come up with some fresh and exciting new ideas. The process they began would eventually lead to the creation of a small number of very special bikes. These bikes have their origins rooted deep within the Motor Company's family of motorcycles. What makes them different from their siblings is the way they are accessorized, trimmed out, painted, and the more powerful engines they possess. Harley likes to think of these bikes as its answer to the thousands of bike owners looking to the Motor Company to produce custom bikes based on its production models. Over time this program became known as CVO, or Custom Vehicle Operations.

The first bike created back in 1999 was the FXR2, followed up later that year with the FXR3. The following five model years saw the introduction of two different CVO bikes per year. Some of the more notable models, such as the '00 SE Road Glide, became instant classics by enjoying an almost cult-like following. Other noteworthy bikes introduced to the CVO line were the '02 SE Road King, '02 SE FXDWG3, and '04 SE Deuce. Each year since the projects inception, the total number of bikes has steadily increased. The only exception to this are the additional models that were produced for the 100th anniversary celebration. Although the Motor Company only gives estimates to the exact number of units produced each year, it has never exceeded 6,550 motorcycles.

This year Harley-Davidson projects the number of CVO bikes to be produced will hover in the range of 9,300 motorcycles. A first for the '05 models will be the introduction of not two, but three different models. The traditionally much sought after CVO line will be comprised of approximately 3,400 SE Fat Boys, 3,500 SE Electra Glides, and 2,400 SE V-Rods.

Sometime back in mid-June, we, along with and a handful of other motorcycle journalists, were invited to a gathering put on by Harley. It was there that we were introduced to the new bikes by the team that designed and built them. In addition to a technical rundown of the motorcycles, the bikes were paraded in front of us at the 1/8-mile dragstrip located at the Irwindale Speedway in Southern California. After having a chance to check out the bikes, we were invited to don some safety gear, listen to instruction regarding proper track procedure and etiquette, and then see for ourselves what the bikes could do.

Unlike the V-Rod, neither the Fat Boy nor the Electra Glide are race bikes by any stretch of the imagination, but they certainly had no problems finding their way down the track. Even though the majority of us making our living as journalists are surrounded by motorcycles, we are not professional drag racers. That being said, we were still able to come up with some respectable times as we crossed the line at the end of the 1/8-mile strip. The Fat Boy was running consistent e.t.'s in the high 8s, with speeds hovering around the 80-mph mark.

Harley chose the '05 model year to introduce the SE Fat Boy to the CVO line in order to commemorate the Fat Boy's 15th anniversary. This is the first time the model has been part of the CVO program, and based on what we've seen and heard, it looks as though the expected support from consumers should land the Fat Boy back in the CVO lineup again sometime in the future.

Starting out on a Softail frame, the bike shares many of the same dimensions as the stocker, but quickly differentiates itself with a lowered rear suspension. Hanging from the 32-degree raked neck is a beautifully chromed frontend that neatly supports the polished, spun aluminum disc wheel. Giving the bike the ability to supply sudden decreases in speed are solid-feeling single floating rotors mounted to both ends of the bike. The rearend gets a matching disc wheel and pulley setup. Calipers are the standard

H-D four-piston units with the added sparkle of silver finish and chrome inserts.

The biggest area in which a CVO bike separates itself from the production model is in the motor. When compared to the 88-inch balanced Twin Cam motor that routinely rolls off the production line, the powerplant in the 103-inch motor is 17 percent larger in terms of displacement. This increase in the handbuilt motor reflects the longer bore and stroke supplied by a Screamin' Eagle (SE) Stroker flywheel assembly, 3.875-inch diameter SE pistons, and a set of SE big-bore cylinders. The flow of the air/fuel mixture and exhaust are affected in a positive way by the addition of a set of silver-finished SE heads. One area the engineers left the same as the stock Fat Boy is the Sequential Port Fuel-Injection System, which gives the motor very good throttle response. A restyled teardrop air cleaner cover conceals a Stage 1 SE air cleaner, while a pair of throaty slash-down pipes finishes off the motor. A heavy-duty 1.4 kilowatt starter is also included in the package to help kick over the large-displacement, high-compression mill.

Harley chose to go with the standard five-speed transmission. It outfitted the bike with a hydraulically operated heavy-duty clutch that stood up well to everything we threw at it on the dragstrip.

Three pigment choices will be available for the tank and fenders in the form of a two-tone paint scheme accented for the first time by Harley with a different one-of-a-kind metal-grind accent. Color choices will be Candy Cobalt and Starlight Black (seen here), Platinum Mist and Slate, and Electric Cherry and Vivid Black. Complementing the two-tone paint is a matching frame and swingarm.

In addition to a new accessory collection, which includes mirrors, a rear brake lever, a shift lever, a shifter linkage, and strut and derby covers, the Fat Boy has a newly designed solo seat dubbed the steel pan seat. With the exception of the top-facing portion of the seat and only a small amount of the sides, the seat is comprised of a good deal of chromed steel that makes a bold statement as it sits atop the rear fender.

Harley's engineers went wild outfitting the bike with so many pieces that deviate from the stock parts list, it would be hard to mention all of them here. Some of the more notable items on the list are internally wired 1-1/4-inch-diameter wide handlebars, spun aluminum metal-faced speedo and tach, a chrome and leather tank console, braided stainless steel cables, and newly designed floorboard inserts. If all of this has not yet turned you into a chromaholic, there's a good chance you will be if you purchase one of these bikes. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of chrome pieces and bolts that add to the allure of this special model. Two other items specific to this and the other '05 CVO bikes are the special CVO key and storage cover.

Although not an exact number, on average, individual dealers will have Four of these bikes in the upcoming model year, so if you want to be one of the lucky ones, you might want to get out there pretty quick, because if the past is any indicator of the future, they won't last long.