Greetings fellow Evo riders.

I purchased a bike (1994 FLSTS Fatboy) from the original owner and the tank pinstripes don't match what's on the fenders (Bike has original paint).

I've seen this same problem on other Fatboys so I felt compelled to share this video with my friend who works at the York Assembly plant.

He found an older fella who worked in the pinstripe area of the York assembly plant and per that gentleman this was "normal".

LOL

I went with my gut and reached out to Ray Drea who was the Chief styling designer for Harley-Davidson after Willie G retired.

I recently met Ray Drea during the 120th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee and took a tour of his studio.

Side note, Ray is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY TALENTED MAN!

Anyways, he responded to my inquiry about this and stated this is DEFINITELY a factory error and should have been corrected prior to leaving the plant.

He went on to say that this wasn't uncommon and it happened regularly. He also said that most dealerships removed many of these tanks or fenders and sent them back for reworking.

I know I've seen a bunch of others out there like this.

In fact if you go to 2:06 of this video👇 you'll see another one just like mine!

https://youtu.be/KBKVb16J_8U?si=woi7EhQ_XXml2iCX

Link to my bike 👇
https://youtu.be/L36JniKQ_Vs?si=hAJ1AzXm0otfEo_l

I'm convinced the culprit is the same fella I mentioned in the beginning of this message who is still working at the York assembly plant LMFAO.

Thought I'd share this as most people would never even notice this factory flaw.

Happy riding....
Kenny Wise

 

The last time I was at the York plant (shovel days) I watched the guy hand pin-striping fenders in the middle of the assembly line. It was cool as heck. If your bike came pinstriped wrong from the factory it might be worth a fortune as a collectable. I bet there aren't many out there like it.

Excuse me while I run out to the garage and check my pin stripes.


carl

 

Thanks Carl,
Added value would be cool.

I guess if you look at it like a coin that was placed into circulation wrong from the mint than yeah some of those have a lot more value associated with them.

In all honesty ive seen so many of these painted wrong that I actually thought it was "normal".

There are at least 3 on YouTube.

I'm glad I was able to get in touch with Ray Drae who confirmed it as being flawed and was a common problem back in the day. LOL
flawed.

Respectfully,
Kenny Wise

 

Actually that's pretty cool that it's like that I had to go and check my '98 and everything matches so also I like the music in the background little bit of scorpions here but choice.. We must be close to the same age.. Lol...

 

Hi and thanks for your comment. Yeah, i think it was just the 1994's that were effected but Lord only knows. I do know that the Mo-Co corrected this problem in later years but what I find funny is how not many people dont even notice this flaw. Imagine how many more are out there? LOL
I'm 56 years young and my garage is my safe haven. LOL
Thanks again for chiming in.
Kenny Wise

 

 

I seem to recall a video ( HD sourced ) that showed pin stripe being applied to the tank ... a gal had a ( looked like ) foam form that fit the side of the tank and was used to guide a pin stripe wheel to apply the stripe ... Does that ring a bell with anyone ?

 

During one of several Tomahawk factory tours I saw saddlebag covers being pinstriped using that template/wheel method. I was surprised how fast the guy could knock one out. It was under a minute start to finish.

 

Thanks Barney ";>)

 

All I remember seeing at York were front fenders. It was free hand city with a striper's brush.

carl