The RED Obsession

Many Harley riders have a preference for black motorcycles.

It isn't any surprise that many bikers believe it adds to their inner rebel with 'bad ass' look and attitude whilst escaping from their day jobs.

The Motor Co has capitalised on this trend especially over the last decade introducing a plethora of satin black (denim) motorcycles. The used motorcycle market is now saturated with so many black bikes and yet the popularity remains the same throughout many of the marques.

However one thing Harley is excellent at doing is producing striking paint finishes and colours with great quality. Technology has played its part and Custom Candy Colours which used to be produced by custom painters are now an option if required and they look stunning.

Without a true understanding or knowledge some may argue or question just how good the paint finishes are on stock machines, but having painted a few bikes over the years I can tell you that prepping the parts is arduous as the factory lacquer is several layers thick to protect beautiful paint finishes.

Over the years I seem to have had a penchant for red motorcycles. 

Red is a hard colour to paint and its generally made up of three base colours. There are so many subtle variations on red finishes that true classic colours can vary so much in sunlight which is the only way to appreciate the fullness of this colour. Ever since the fifties Harley have produced some beautiful red paint sets and with this in mind I associate nostalgia, hot rods, passion and fun times with Red.

One of the sweetest little hot rod Sportsters I owned and customised was nicknamed 'Lil Red'. 

Custom Z-bars made in stainless which I internally wired, lowered shrouded Hagon shocks, painted side panels and a natural vegetable tan custom seat gave the bike a simple but striking look. Nimble and great fun plus the name seemed to suit the bike.!

There followed a Sunglo Red Fatbob aptly nicknamed 'Lil Outlaw'. Again I made the bike my own with matching hand-tooled rider's seat plus pillion seat with matching back rest and roll bags, large and small, matching painted battery and electrics covers to complete the look. 
It's the smaller details that seem to count.

Following these two bikes has been 'Velocity Red' my former Dyna Switchback FLD, 

and to come September 2017 a Harley Freewheeler.....yes in Red!