History of Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO)

[Terry1955]

The following has been copied directly from Harley Davidson's Website (History of Custom Vehicle Operations) In 1999, Harley-Davidson® introduced the Custom Vehicle Operation (CVO) program. Custom motorcycles haven't been the same since. Read on to discover how this program evolved and what motorcycles it has produced. In 1999, in response to riders' demands for exclusive factory-customs, Harley-Davidson launched the Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) program. Providing low volume models infused with an abundance of chrome, the program aimed not merely to fulfill the dreams of motorcycle customizers, but to inspire them. Each CVO model featured unique paint schemes and accessories, creating demand that far exceeded limited production. You could add your own personal touches on a CVO bike, but the advantages of the CVO program were difficult to duplicate. These bikes featured accessories that couldn't be purchased anywhere else. Restricted paint schemes were not only unavailable for existing motorcycles, but you would have to present your CVO Vehicle Identification Number to get a repainting job done. The first two CVO models were the FXR2 and FXR3, with production limited to just 900 units each. In 2000, the successful launch of the CVO program was followed up with the introduction of the FXR4 and the FLTRSEI™ Screamin' Eagle® Road Glide®, an ideal marriage of the latest touring design and Screamin' Eagle performance parts. In 2001, the CVO program expanded with another assembly line at the Vehicle Operations facility in York, Pennsylvania. That year’s models featured the FXDWG2, with a Scarlet Red paint scheme and 23k-gold-leaf flames, and the FLTRSEI2 Screamin' Eagle Road Glide. Model year 2002 brought two more drool-inducing CVO models to the lineup: the FXDWG3, with its 14500cc Silver and Chrome Twin Cam 88 engine and the first-ever FLHRSEI Screamin' Eagle Road King®, with an impressive 1550cc Silver & Chrome Twin Cam 95. Harley-Davidson's 100th Anniversary year, 2003, introduced the first CVO Softail model, the FXSTDSE Screamin' Eagle® Deuce™, and the FLHRSEI2 Screamin' Eagle® Road King®. The FLHRSEI2 boasted a 103-cubic-inch Twin Cam engine, while a Big Bore Twin Cam 95 powered the FXSTDSE. The CVO program rolled on in 2004 with two more models: the FLHTCSE Screamin' Eagle Electra Glide, topped with a oil-cooled, 103-cubic inch Twin Cam "stroker," and the FXSTDSE Screamin’ Eagle® Softail® Deuce™, sporting new color selections and plenty of custom details. Three models make their CVO debut in 2005. The FLSTFSE Screamin’ Eagle® Fat Boy®, the first to have metalwork painted with metal grind accents. The VRSCSE Screamin’ Eagle® V-Rod® boasted more torque and horsepower, custom wheels, and a new speedo/tach arrangement. Finally, the FLHTCSE2 Screamin’ Eagle® Electra Glide® 2 was stroked out with 103 cubic inches Twin Cam goodness with ThunderStar™ custom wheels, and vented lowers. As long as there are Harley riders with an ideal bike that exists nowhere but in their mind’s eye, the CVO program will continue to blaze new roads and arouse new ambitions. The deeper you looked at the CVO models in 2006, the more you’d see. The FLSTFSE² Screamin’ Eagle® Fat Boy® teamed a new 140mm tire in front with a big 200mm rubber in back. The VRSCSE² Screamin’ Eagle® V-Rod® sent the power of its big bore 1250cc Revolution® engine to a new, street-hungry 240mm rear tire. And the FLHTCUSE Screamin’ Eagle® Ultra Classic® Electra Glide® dialed up style, power, and comfort with the new 160-watt Advanced Audio System by Harman/Kardon® with CB and XM® satellite radio. Proving once again that when production of a motorcycle is this limited, nothing else should be.

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[swelch]

I Love my Deuce! Thanks for the history.