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[BLM777]

Been watching this thread and the similar ones develop for a couple of years regarding the paint issues on the CVO's and wanted to throw out a little something to consider.  IS THE BAD PAINT EXCLUSIVE TO THE CVO MODELS?  Thought had been nagging me for some time as I had never had a bad paint job on any of the 25 or so HD's that I've had prior to CVO's.

Just prior to Christmas, I had some time to kill while waiting to meet a friend at my son's HD shop and decided to take a really close look at the 60 or so new bikes that were parked out in the sunlight.  I think I'm about as particular (read that compulsive) about paint and finish as one can be while still retaining some marginal degree of sanity.  I didn't find any "bad" paint.  Granted, these aren't "custom" paint jobs, but none of the conditions existed that seem to plague the CVO bikes.  In my critical opinion they were about as good as you could expect for any factory paint, including that on most luxury cars and trucks.  Solid base coat with adequate clear to produce a clean glossy finish with no rubs, swirls, discoloration or thinning on the edges and just a solid quality look.

Seems to me like the bad finishes are isolated to the "custom" work on the most expensive units in the line.  Go figure.

[cigarmike]

Mike, I thought you'd written in the bad paint thread that more parts were eventually ordered this last time.

[grc]

Been watching this thread and the similar ones develop for a couple of years regarding the paint issues on the CVO's and wanted to throw out a little something to consider.

[SPIDERMAN]

I'm no expert on paint, but my experience with some custom work a few years back is that short of baking the paint in a booth at 160 degrees, the paint doesn't cure (harden) for a few days. Does anyone know how the paint is applied ?  Is it baked on or is it just shot at room temp and clear coated as soon as it flashed ?  If it isn't being baked, the fingerprints seem inevitable to me.

Just my $0.02

B B

[kona76]

I've got two cents also, and it is a humble opinion at best.

When I received my 2005 FLSTFSE the slate grey paint, the general condition of the accessories and the overall cosmetics were flawless. I am not blowing smoke here, I am as anal as the next CVO member and there is plenty of us to count. My ride was proudly badged Harley Davidson, and I was proud to be an American that produced such a high end work of engineering and art.

I grant you the engine was anemic, and the tires were not the 200's that now grace the 07's stock rear. With minor adjustments, some OCD upgrades and toss the cheap bolts and fasteners, my ride remains clean and will remain that way as long as possible.

You deserve a ride that you patiently waited for, and are proud to ride upon, talk and write about. It's worth waiting for, it's worth waiting some more. And make them get it right or wait until you are satisfied. Do not compromise yourself with less than standard quality control from an American Manufacturer who's customer base and profits soar year after year.

You have it coming as a customer in every way. Lose the respect of the customer base, and manufacturers should find a new product to make because we won't be here for long with poor quality control and questionable support practices.

[cigarmike]

I have to argue that all their factory custom paint jobs have flaws.....since I am a victim of a bad paint job, I have paid VERY close attention to the other CVO models, and also have seen a few of their Numbered replacement custom sets........There is no comparison, many of the guys here complaining on the '06's would be in heaven with the 'Other' custom paint MoCo is putting out. theres a difference betwen what we have and a fingerprint on one piece or a Blemish on the tank...thats easily fixed, and more of fender bender compared to what the '06 problems are, the '06's are a fricking train wreck.

[C-DEUCE04]

YEEEOWZA! Not only do you need to check your lights each time you ride but if you've got a CVO, you also have to check your light mounts too!

After an awesome weekend with warm temperatures, I come home and dismounted my trusty Deuce and to my dismay, I find my right rear signal light dangling by it's wire! The damn bolt was not loctited at the factory and must have vibrated/loosened out. Had to remove the entire fender strut to gain access to the bolt and re-tighten it. Unbelievable.
CHECK THOSE LIGHT MOUNTS!

[HawgDoc]

My replacement parts look like they were painted with a can of spray paint, there are no flakes in the fairing or front fender, and the tank looks like they dumped the flakes on by sprinkling them by hand.  

You mean the paint jobs are not supposed to be done with spray cans and hand sprinkling?  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

Where is Mr. MaGoo when you need him?  [smiley=nervous.gif]