For the past decade Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) has taken the notion of the factory custom motorcycle to its extreme. Each year the CVO team of designers and engineers takes current and past (as in the FXR2 and FXR3) model platforms and digs deep into the Parts and Accessories and Screamin' Eagle product offerings to create limited-production factory custom and performance motorcycles. A big plus for the rider/buyer is the bikes cost a lot less to buy complete as CVO models than to equip a stock model with all the extra parts and accessories. In addition to upgraded motor and trim parts, the CVO line also features paint schemes and graphics not found on any other H-D production bikes. Being H-D's 105th anniversary, there is also a CVO paint and graphics package that includes gold leaf graphics and numbered cloisonn.
We had the opportunity to get an inside look into the CVO operations at H-D's Milwaukee, WI, base. All CVO bikes are assembled in either Kansas City or the York, PA. plants. Aside from historical and technical presentations and discussions with designers and engineers, we toured the Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations factory and the Calibre, Inc., paint facility. All of the custom paint and graphics on the CVO bikes is done by hand in their Grafton plant. We got to ride and evaluate each of the four models around beautiful farmlands and lakes, trying our best to avoid rain and tornadoes.
For 2008 H-D has four new CVO models to choose from; two in the touring family-the Electra Glide and Road King, one Softail, and a Dyna. One of the most noticeable performance upgrades is the return of the 110ci Twin Cam motor powering each bike. The three rubber-mounted chassis receive the original A version of the Twin Cam while the solid mount Softail gets the counterbalanced Twin Cam B motor. These 110s aren't just bored-out 96 inchers, either. Aside from the 4-inch bore forged pistons and wrist pins, the heads, cases, and cams are unique to these mills. The automatic compression-release-equipped cylinder heads breathe through high-flow intake ports and huge 2.08-inch intake valves. Increased compression (9.3:1) and improved squish areas combine for better drivability and power across the board. For comparison's sake, the 110ci motor puts out 23 percent more torque than a stock Twin Cam 96. Each of the motors, transmissions, and inner primaries also gets H-D's new (and exclusive to CVO) granite and chrome powertrain finish that contains stainless steel flake in the paint.
Like the rest of the '08 Big Twin lineup, each CVO bike features the Cruise Drive six-speed tranny but use an easy-to-squeeze hydraulically activated nine-plate wet clutch. A big development included on the two touring CVOs is the addition of antilock brakes (ABS) coupled to Brembo calipers and floating rotors. H-D engineers designed the completely hidden ABS pickup within the wheel bearing and spacer-the presence of one wire near the caliper is the only giveaway that such high tech wizardry is present. Additionally, the Ultra and Road King are devoid of throttle cables. Instead, a drive-by-wire throttle control is employed that uses no cables. A hidden wire within the throttle assembly communicates throttle position to the ECM. Based on other engine operating parameters a signal is sent to the injectors and a motor in the throttle body to control butterfly opening. Another upgrade on the touring bikes is the Isolated Drive System located within the rear wheel that dampens power pulses encountered during acceleration, cruising, and shifting.
Take a look below at the newest CVOs, their features, and general riding impressions. For more info contact Harley-Davidson at www.Harley-Davidson.com, or call 800-443-2153 to find a dealer near you.