Very soon riding season will be over here in Iowa. I am planning on changing the look of the battery, oil tank and belt guard. Really thinking of painting the cover matching pewter pearl and adding some pinstripes to complement the factory paint. Just curious if anyone has done these to match bike color and if they held up. Belt guard may get an extra coat of clear. Other choice was just to get the chrome for the three. Any suggeztions?

 

I've seen Sportsters with the side covers & belt guard painted to match tank & fenders don't know how well the paint jobs last guess it depends on how good of a job you do as far as looks that's a personal thing if you like paint or chrome or black I like the chrome myself

 

I went with the color match look on the side covers. I like a little shine also, so I went with chrome on the upper belt guard and rear sprocket cover to match the engine.

 

I think either option will look better than stock. I am going chrome, but that's just my opinion.

 

As we can see here painting them to match looks good (much better than stock black) and a good alternative to chrome. I like it!

 

Rk that does look damn nice! I can't stop from wanting to match my red pinstripe with the covers and belt guard. I feel it would give that extra detail to it.That bright orange seems to pull it off without being so bold.Two issues is the red is a bitch to color match sometimes and I would have to mask perfectly or it will look like ****.Hand not steady enough to use brush.Does the paint code give a pinstripe color as well?

 

Thanks guys. Glad you like it!

I agree that the stock side covers look much better with matching paint. HD sells 'em with matching paint colors, but they're pricey.

Sly, the HD paint code does not include the pin stripe color. I might suggest someone that does pin striping, like someone bike/auto dealers use.