2013 STREET BOB COMES TO BIKERNET

This is an odd one. The Sheriff from Sweden swept into the country and rode a factory bike to Sturgis and around the west, but it was a 2012 model, and not newsworthy for European publications. He needed the latest and the greatest.

He returned the touring model just as a handful of 2013 models became available, but his time with the new Street Bob was limited. Fortunately, the Harley-Davidson fleet center is less than 10 miles from the Bikernet Interplanetary Headquarters in the Port of Los Angeles. Then it started to rain; a swift drizzle, like a brief monsoon during the Sturgis Rally. It quickly took the heat off the 90-degree day as the Sheriff peeled down Avalon Boulevard toward the port, but the new 103-inch Dyna supported his deadline efforts. He peeled onto the oldest freeway in the country and slid up to the Bikernet Headquarters in less than… well, I’ll leave the short number out of the story.

“That’s the beauty of the Bob,” the sheriff said, panting. “It’s so little, with so much power. Sons of Anarchy, beware.”

Here are the basics behind this new model: Harley-Davidson rolls into its 110th model year with a line of authentic American motorcycles that includes 110th Anniversary Editions of select Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and a restyled Dyna Street Bob. Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) offers two new models: the CVO Breakout, a high-performance Softail model with exciting new finish options, and the CVO Road King, fitted with an innovative vented windshield and high-output audio system.

Specifically, the Harley-Davidson Street Bob gets a tougher profile for 2013 with new blacked-out triple clamps and power train, and a chopped rear fender with side-mounted license plate and stop/turn/tail lights. This rowdy Dyna bobber features a solo seat and mini-ape handlebar mounted on new risers that make it easier to customize. New paint options include Hard Candy Custom metal flake and a scalloped two-tone option.

That’s just the basic platform behind the Street Bob. Behind the tough look is new technology and electronics. “The electronics on the handlebars now afford quicker response,” said the Sheriff pacing around the shop. “And you have computer-like benefits tellin’ the rider the gear and additional stuff on the LED screen on the gas tank. The ignition is now on tank finally, with no key dangling on the side.”

There are two other 2013 surprise elements behind this model. “The Street Bob serves as a great starting point for the rider intent on personal customization, which is now why it can be personalized through H-D1 factory customization,” according to the factory. I find the use of the term “intent,” interesting. My thesaurus lists synonyms such as resolved, determined, and committed. Sounds like an addiction instead of a beneficial service, or the opening of a glorious metal flake door to the freedom of chromed expression.

The factory web-based program allows customers to select factory-installed options to personalize fit, function and style with more than 2,000 combinations. The customer guides the customizing process, and that’s how it will be delivered to his local dealer. I call that amazing on one hand and shameful on the other. New styling features include a black Twin Cam 96 powertrain with highlighted details, blacked-out front end, clean rear fender with combination stop/tail/turn lighting and side-mount license plate, a round air cleaner and new scallop graphics in a two-tone paint option.

“It’s a great idea, but you must restrain yourself a few times,” said the Sheriff, “so you don’t go bankrupt when you push enter.”

On one hand, it’s a masterful factory service and creation that allows customers to build their dream machine with a push of a computer button, but on the other hand, so much of the custom experience includes research, learning, tools, challenge, workmanship, and ultimately, accomplishment. Not everyone is capable or has the shop resources, so I get it, but maybe somewhere down the road the customer could be afforded insight into the customizing experience. It could be a way for the customer to understand the machine, and the factory to understand customer desires.

Actually, there are two more benefits for 2013. One, a new series of paint schemes:

The three production Hard Candy Custom colors are created by applying tinted flakes, each more than seven times the size of metal flake used in typical production metallic paint, over a black base coat. The flake is then covered with multiple layers of clear coat, and combined with hand sanding, it produces a finished surface with extraordinary depth. Each Hard Candy Custom paint set will be finished with graphics specific to the motorcycle model, including a special Hard Candy Custom logo.

The finish gets bigger and bolder with 12 more-intricate, two-tone Hard Candy Custom Flake Core Series paint sets and fuel tanks from the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories Color Shop, available for many Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring model motorcycles. One paint set offered on the 2013 CVO Breakout, Hard Candy Gold Dust and Liquid Sun with Pagan Gold, is also a Hard Candy Custom selection.
Start with the color, but you can keep the project rolling with pieces from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories. New and recently introduced accessory items that extend the Hard Candy Custom theme include the Silver Charcoal Metal Flake Solo Seat, the Sprung Solo Seat in White or Black leather with contrasting diamond-pattern stitching, leather Single Side Swingarm bags, and a Down Tube bag. Dozens of other Genuine Motor Accessories, from handlebars to sissy bars, can be installed to complete a custom transformation.

Harley-Davidson MotorClothes will offer a selection of Hard Candy Custom logo T-shirts for men and women in the Black Label Collection, and new helmets with graphics and a surface finish inspired by the Hard Candy Custom movement.

I saw several knockout examples of this new metal flake paint line in Milwaukee, and in the Harley-Davidson Museum. “Pro work but it costs,” said the Sheriff, who is retired Swedish military and suffering the pains of a reduced retirement income while trying to jet set to every major motorcycle event on the globe. “I would put my money into performance upgrades and wait. The craftsmanship is excellent, but I want the bike to grow, performance-wise, before I change the base paint”

The Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary celebration will climax in Milwaukee, August 29 to September 1, 2013. Information on 110th Anniversary events, programs, and other merchandise is available at H-D.com.

1200 Custom 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,500) Includes Smart Security System
Super Glide Custom 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,450) Includes Smart Security System, ABS and Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced wheels
Fat Boy Lo 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,750) Includes Smart Security System and ABS
Heritage Softail Classic 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,900) Includes Smart Security System, ABS, and Chrome Profile Laced Aluminum wheels with Wide Whitewall tires
Road King 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,750) Includes Smart Security system, ABS, Cruise Control, and Contrast Chrome, 28-Spoke Cast Aluminum Wheels
Electra Glide Ultra Limited 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 3,750)

CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 1,100)
CVO Road King 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 900)
CVO Road Glide Custom 110th Anniversary Edition (limited to a quantity of 900)

I’m not going to delve into the Anniversary units. You get the picture. Plus my disjointed list could expand with more new Screamin’ Eagle and CVO options.

So how did this new puppy ride? I asked the Sheriff. “Just like I owned her forever.
With one week on an Ultra, this was like comin’ home to your girlfriend. Moped we say in Europe café racer. Maybe it’s a no-nonsense street bike.”

Blacked out triple clamps, dash, power train, and battery box

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