H-D's prior custom seat program was for Softails only. The new program has expanded to include Softails, Dynas and Touring bikes. You are offered two choices of seat style, solo or two up. There are eight stitch patterns available in ten colors. You can also choose from ten leather inlay accents.

You get to choose! What a great idea!

The ordering process starts on line at harley-davidson.com. This is Harley's customer home page, if you haven't visited there yet I highly recommend it. There is a wealth of information available and some neat stuff to look at and do. I digress. Currently the topic labeled “What's Happening” contains an item that says customize our own seat. A click on that link takes you directly to the design and order area. Select your bike from the list and move on to the seat selection. Two seats are available for customization. The Brawler solo seat and the Sidekick two up seat. I am a fan of the Brawler seat. I had one on my 02 softail standard. It is a low profile seat that is comfortable around town and on the highway. The leather seating area and high quality foam means that you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style. Both seat choices feature a leather seating area for comfort, durability and control. Harley uses an open cell polyurethane foam for optimal support without the hardness usually associated with a custom seat.

Once the seat is selected you are directed to choose a stitch pattern then the stitching color. When you make your choice the sample seat is changed to reflect your selection. You are able to see in advance exactly how the stitching looks. The same applies to the leather inlays. Choose the inlay pattern and the color. Your sample seat again reflects your choices. The whole process is quick easy and best of all free. Try all of the combinations while you are at it. Some of the stitch patterns look entirely different with a colored inlay.

The choosing done you can look at the summary box and see the listing of your selected options and the cost of the custom seat. I was actually surprised at the low cost of these seats, compared to some other custom seats. You finish the process by printing out the page and taking it into your dealership to place the order. Approximately 3 weeks later your seat is delivered to your dealership for pick up.

Sweet!

If you do not have computer access or don't feel comfortable working in the website, stop by Reno Harley-Davidson/Buell and visit me in the Design Center. We can build your seat, and you can see and touch a sample seat as well as see a variety of the inlay samples.

Three weeks.... Depending on Mr Ground Hog spring riding could be just around the corner.
-Dave

For more information on any part or accessory or to just suggest an idea for the Chrome Corner email Dave Here.

If Chrome is not your favorite color, and stock just doesn't do it for you, the new Black Diamond^® collection is available at Reno H-D^®. Black hand and foot controls are not the end of H-D's^® trip to the dark side.

New in 09 is the Dark Custom™ Logo Collection of timing and derby covers. Featuring a new logo, these parts are black anodized then re machined to expose raw aluminum on the raised surfaces. Covers are available for 04 and later XL, 1340 Evos and 99 and later Twin Cams.

Black, the new chrome, just keeps coming from the Motor Company. Diamond Black^® braided lines and cables match up with black handlebars for the Crossbones™, Fat Bob™, and Night Rod^®. Black hand levers, satin black mirrors, rear brake levers, shift levers, shifter linkage, footboard pans, engine guards, more black items than ever before in Harley-Davidson^® parts and accessory line up.

You can see most of these accessories at Reno H-D^®, or the Christmas catalog, or in the comfort of your own home on harleydavidson.com. (While you are at the website check out the “Customizer” to see what some of these parts look like on a bike.)

The Motor Company has not blacked out everything... yet. Reno H-D^® is able to meet the needs of even the most “I want it black, all black” customer. Combining the factory black parts and the services of a local powder coater you can get pretty much any part on your bike blacked out. We know the Dark Custom™ at Reno H-D^®. You can see a couple of examples on our show room floor today. The Sic Boy an FLSTF with so much black, that it set the standard for a line up of black bikes including the Night Glide™ and the current Frisco Style Bobber on display now.

Stop in at Reno H-D. Have a look at our Dark Customs, and talk to one of our parts professionals about creating your own.

-Dave

The Harley-Davidson Spectrum Custom Color Program allows you to send in your Harley-Davidson sheet metal to be painted in any 1979 or later stock H-D Color. You choose the base color and any panel, pinstripe , decal or graphic. The choices are almost unlimited. Most automotive type paint colors are also included as options.

You begin by going to your Harley-Davidson dealer and selecting the colors and options you want. You can elect to buy new tins to be painted, or send your own tins to the Motor company to be stripped primed and painted. You can take the sheet metal off yourself or have us do it for you. The cost of the paint program does not include any labor for removing and installing the painted parts. I am a fan of having the dealer remove and reinstall the tins.

No, I am not shilling for the Service Department. Here are the reasons I would have the dealership do the work: It would be difficult for me to see my bike sitting naked in the garage day after day. This is a custom paint program so you can expect to be without your scoot for several weeks. Waiting is the hardest part. I don't need a daily reminder. There are a few small parts (clamps, screws, o rings, gaskets) that will be needed to reinstall the painted parts. Our Service Department has a ready supply of all the things necessary to reinstall your fresh paint. My last, and for me most important, reason is, if your/ my screw driver slips while tightening the seat screw you/I either pay to repaint the rear fender, or learn to love the uniqueness of scratched paint. If the Service Tech's driver slips, you get a freshly painted fender. There is, though, the satisfaction of seeing your bike reborn under your own hands. Either way you decide.

The cost is surprisingly low for factory quality paint and the chance to remake your existing Harley-Davidson. Excluding any labor costs, you will pay to have your existing tins repaired if necessary, stripped and primed then painted according to your instructions. Shipping is also extra. Let's say that you have a 2002 Softail standard and want to change the look of the bike. You choose to get two color paint, double pinstripes and candy color top coat. You are using your own tins and will remove and reinstall the paint yourself. This is what you could expect to pay for the prep and paint:

Strip and prime 3 pieces $242.85
Paint 3 Pieces $879.95

The Service Department will swap out the paint on your Softail for about $ 455.00. A little sales tax, a little freight and you have remade the look of your bike with a genuine Harley-Davidson factory paint job. Not a bad deal! You could fall in love all over again.

Come and see me or any of the parts professionals for more information. It's never too early to plan for next spring!

-Dave

Arnott Air Adjustable Shock Absorbers.

Is your Harley just a little too tall? Are your feet too close to your belt? Do you want that aggressive, hardcore, slammed to the ground look for your bike.

Touring bike and softail owners have had air adjustable shocks available for years. Pity the poor Sporty, Dyna and V-Rod owners. Now Arnott Inc. makes air adjustable rear shocks for all the Harley-Davidson families. With a total travel length of up to 3.5 inches, You can have the look you want, and the security of being flatfooted at stops, without sacrificing ride height.

Made in America with a 5 year warranty Arnott air adjustable shock absorbers give you performance and value. This is one accessory that can change the way you ride.