Bensonjv, I agree that you have some very valid points. I do believe you're also right about demand dropping in the later years of the springer offerings.
Where I disagree though, is that there was still a want for the springers, but the offerings from MOCO weren't what people wanted.
The Crossbones, thought an FL springer, was somewhat if a hybrid between an FX rear end and an FL springer front end. It was confused looking, IMHO.
The FXSTSSE3 is another example of that. It's a beautiful bike, and I had one for a few months. But, again, it's confused. The FX springer front end with a fat front tire and left side brake? Not the norm. Also, the 240 rear end was bigger and badder, and attempted to cash in on the fat rear end look that they were late to the party for.
Now, I think if MOCO offered an FXSTS with a 21" skinny tire and a 200 rear, or a FLSTS variant with a fat front and 150 rear, they would sell like mad.
When you come across springer threads, those are the two that always seem to remain true to factory form, the Bad Boy and the Heritage Springer/Springer Classic. Crossbones usually seem to be bobber'd out OR turned into an FLSTS look-alike.
I believe the MOCO lost its way with the springers. Black or chrome forks, it doesn't matter, but mixing up the fronts and rears just never really seemed to fully mesh....