In 78 they did not offer white Sportsters, This one was supposed to be candy apple red, The white base was cleared over by mistake. so the dealer told me anyway.
The 81 FXE was originally root beer brown, these tanks were gifted to me and I painted the bike white.
White is by far the most popular car color is the US. I am surprised that doesn't translate to bikes.
I always thought police motorcycles in white look fantastic. Here is Michigan, the state police have blue bikes that match their cars. Just not near as cool looking as a white harley.