Harley Davidson Motorcycle Parts

Harley Davidson Motorcycles is one of only two US-based motorcycle manufacturers. Harley's status as an American legend and icon has perpetuated a loyal following of Harley Davidson motorcycle riders and non-riding enthusiasts.

Perhaps motivated by a combination of amateur motorcycle modders and customizers, and the popularity of international motorcycle makers that allowed for factory customized bikes, Harley Davidson launched the Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) program in 1999.

The CVO program allowed buyers of the legendary brand to have their bikes customized with Harley Davidson accessories at the factory before delivery. Custom paints, paint schemes and custom parts from the performance oriented Screamin' Eagle line could be factory installed.

The CVO Program has evolved since 1999, and today customization goes beyond just adding a Harley Davidson part or two. Custom paints, paint schemes and parts are still available, but the modern CVO Program has made strides well-beyond changing the look of the bike.

Two of the most popular Harley Davidson motorcycles are available for customization: the heavyweight sales leader Fat Boy and full front fairing equipped Electra Glide. The third bike available is the VRSC muscle-bike, the V-Rod.

The Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy and Screamin Eagle' Electra Glide have been tweaked with larger engines. The twin cam engine of the Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy now features a power-plant over 200cc larger than Harley's stock Fat Boy, a change from 1450cc to 1690cc. The Screamin' Eagle Electra Glide now features a Stroker engine. Both bikes have also been overhauled with new exhaust systems and refined air cleaners. The translation for Screamin' Eagle Fat Boys and Electra Glides: big time performance increases compared to their stock kin, with as much as a twenty percent improvement in torque.

In addition to renovations of the Fat Boy and Electra Glide, Harley Davidson has also released an upgraded version of its VRSC muscle-bike, the V-Rod. The V-rod, a street version of its VR-1000 racing bike has been tapped for even more power. The Screamin' Eagle V-Rod now features a big-bore kit, improved air cleaner and exhaust system as well as ported cylinder heads. The ten percent pick-up in power is attributed to a 1250cc engine (up from the stock 1130cc engine).

Although purists may challenge the CVO Program's Screamin' Eagle line of Harleys, electing instead to customize their Harley themselves, there are many advantages to having the bikes professionally fitted. The first two are for the sake of keeping the bike street legal and the second for adherence to emissions control standards. The third, and perhaps most important, is to keep your Harley properly tuned. Professionals can make sure the engine and all its systems are performing properly and optimally to get the most torque and power.



Accessories. 2006. Redline. 30 Oct 2006. www.redline.sk.ca

Lean Mean Fat Boy- Testing Harley's 2005 CVO Bikes. 2004. Bill Andrews/ American Motorcyclist Association. 30 Oct 2006. www.ama-cycle.org

History of Custom Vehicle Operations. 2006. Harley-Davidson. 30 Oct 2006. www.harley-davidson.com