Chrome Baby!

 

I actually like the Chrome oil tank better too.

 

To each their own but I'm not into the blacked out parts and denim paint fad.

 

My '05 Anniversary Fat Boy came from the factory with a color matched oil tank. As much as I loved the bike, even sitting on the showroom floor, I knew that one of the first things I was gonna change was that awful looking oil tank, to a chrome one. Maybe, had the bike been black, with a black tank.......???? But yeah, I thought a chrome oil tank was a HUGE upgrade.

 

I bought my Bad Boy 20 years ago, and it was blacked out (at least for it's time) from the factory. I have fairly blacked out bikes since, and now the factory is offering even more off the floor. I don't think it's a fad.

 

Most of the Bad Boys I have seen had a nice balance of black and chrome. My buddy bought a new shovelhead "Sturgis" back in 80 or 81 that was blacked out in it's time as well so it's not new but the market is getting saturated with blacked out bikes right now, how long it will last time will tell. I know several of the guys around here that went blacked out 6 or 7 years ago but are now putting chrome back on to look "different" again.

I'm not knocking fads, I've been on the vivid black and chrome fad for about 35 years, I'm going to ride it out and see how long it lasts.

 

I just like black. Not because of a fad, but because that's what I think looks good on my bikes. My Buell is jet black. Only things that aren't black on her are the headers. Last non-blacked out bike I owned was my FZ1. It was blue and got on my nerves after a while.

 

I am 42 and got my first harley around 2007 when blacked out bikes were really hot. The flat black hot rod / garage built bobber and chopper scene was scorching hot but once the motorcycle factories jump on the trend and pump them out its only a matter of time before things start running out of steam.

Once "The Bikeriders" hits the cinema screens I think you will see younger riders start to gravitate more towards a more 50-s style level of chrome and accessory trim like those original FL's.

The days of maltese cross emblems, f-this and f-you badges and middle finger mirrors are thankfully dead and gone!

 

8 years later and it looks like Chrome is still beating Blacked Out.

 

I like Chrome and Black depending on the color of the paint. That being said, I'll always choose chrome as I think it holds up better over time and easier to clean and maintain.