You know that the year is rapidly disappearing when manufacturers begin to release details of their 2013 models. Well, Harley-Davidson is keen to get the
latest news out as it celebrates 110 years of motorcycle production.
Special 110th anniversary badges made from solid bronze adorn the tanks with “1903 to 2013” above the shield motif. The paint shop at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin plant and the CVO (Custom Vehicles Operations) plant at York, Pennsylvania must be huge, as the paintwork options are as numerous as the models on offer.
While the 110 models can be specified in an exclusive anniversary Vintage Bronze/Vintage Black scheme, old school has returned with something called “Hard Candy Custom”. The metal flake, or perhaps we could call it “heavy metal flake” that was so loved by custom spray painting finishers in the late ‘60s is making a comeback. The release puts it rather neatly:- “dazzling metal flake paint, brilliant chrome and styling details in accessories, gear and apparel that are simultaneously current and nostalgic”. 16 new big flake finishes, two of which are hard candy lucky green flake and hard candy coloma gold, joining this year’s big red flake. Models that will have at least one “flake job” on offer are Seventy-Two, Street Bob, Blackline, Softail Deluxe and Forty-Eight.
A further 12 more intense, two-tone are available while apparel also gets the retro touch with its own celebration this year of 100 years of the Harley-Davidson clothing brand. A selection of hard candy custom logo T-shirts in the black label collection and new helmet designs have been produced and leather saddle bags are always popular too.
NEW MODELS
Nine new models are on offer as 110th Aniversary Editions, each serialised and carrying the bronze logo.
The 2013 Street Bob from the Dyna range features a solo seat and semi ape hanger bars, a blacked-out powertrain and the option of new metal flake livery. The Dyna uses conventional (retro, these days) twin rear shocks and a big air-cooled, twin cam 1600 cc power source with 124 N.m of twisting torque.
The 2013 CVO Breakout is drawn from the Softail stable featuring some amazing paint schemes. Softails use a hidden mono-shock at the rear to look like a “hardtail” and leather dual seating with an alligator pattern. An 1 800 cc air-cooled engine with 165 N.m propels the Breakout. How’s this for official naming of the three colour scheme options “Black Diamond & Molten Silver with Crushed Slate Graphics; Crimson Red Sunglo & Scarlet Lace with Hammered Sterling Graphics; Hard Candy Gold Dust & Liquid Sun with Pagan Gold Graphics”
2013 CVO Road King sports a 200 watt amp and four speakers incorporating tweeters mounted in the saddle bag lids and front fairings. A new detachable vented wind-splitter has been developed in a wind tunnel to reduce buffeting.
For a peek at the new 110th Anniversary colour scheme, have a look at the picture of good old favourite XL1200C
Another two established models, the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide and the CVO Road Glide Custom have been upgraded and also offer new paint schemes.
Pricing lists for 2013 are still being drawn up and for more information visit:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_AA/Content/Pages/home.html
