For what these bikes cost us, that piece should be painted from the factory....

I say do it. If you're asking about it, then the seed has been planted. You'll get your bars on, and then regret not having it done.

I was in your shoes too. On my 2010 FLHXSE, the inner was vivid black. I don't know why HD didn't match it. Right now, it's at Gunslinger Custom Paint, getting matched...

I just couldn't see swapping bars and not having the fairing matched at the same time.

 

Paid $100 at a local painter. He was actually a paint touch up mech. at Harley, paints on the side in the eve. Huge improvement over the dull black inner , especially once the sun fades it after a few years. Do the work yourself , not a bad job at all if you take your time . I also replaced the air temp gauge with an oil temp while I had the inner off.

 

Makes a HUGE difference. I would be pissed if I skipped that step when I did my bars...

 

You're all bastards. I had myself convinced that I didn't need the paint the inner fairing on my Vivid Black FLHX.....add it to the list now.

 

i got my Vivid black painted fairing in a box in the garage, right next to another box with Yaffe Monkey bars....waiting for winter work

 

On any other colored bike I wouldn't hesitate to do it.
On my Vivid Black I just couldn't justify the time and expense. However if I were removing the fairing anyway I would consider it.
Not enough of a difference for me to do it otherwise.

 

I have seen painted inner fairings on black bikes and they do look nice. But I also like the contrast provided with a well maintained stocker too.

For a black bike, I'm really on the fence with this one.

Now if the stock fairing is faded and chalky looking, then it's a no-brainer. But if the stocker has been well maintained and the sun exposure is minimized, they also look nice.

 

Did mine in a 2-tone look, Dark Blue Pearl and Vivid Black. Just wanted something differant than 1 color.

 

A friend of mine has it on his. Black Ultra...does it jump out at you like a blue, red or orange one? No, but it finishes off the bike...
It like one of those subtle things that make a custom bike what it is....
Might as well while you have everything apart.....being vivid black, I too would just check with a local painter...they paint gloss black all the time.

 

My vote is to do it, since it's winter and you are changing the bars.