Silver EVO Engines
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 3,668
From: Florida
Everybody’s right, everybody’s wrong. Natural finish and black are the most common but I’m positive there have been a few models from the factory with a grey coating like a powder coating. Somebody in the thread mentioned an FXR4.. I’m pretty sure there were some that were like a powered coat that was grey with a sheen.
I’ll Google and see what might be found. All this grey ghost talk of recent has pulled up old articles and I thought I recently skimmed one that said it had a grey powder coat?
https://www.pcimag.com/articles/85177-powder-coating-provides-maximum-flexibility-for-harley-davidson
https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-general-discussion-and-problems/192795-h-d-silver-grey-engine-paint-match-solved
I’ll Google and see what might be found. All this grey ghost talk of recent has pulled up old articles and I thought I recently skimmed one that said it had a grey powder coat?
https://www.pcimag.com/articles/85177-powder-coating-provides-maximum-flexibility-for-harley-davidson
https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-general-discussion-and-problems/192795-h-d-silver-grey-engine-paint-match-solved
Last edited by Rains2much; May 20, 2025 at 01:31 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 1,588
From: Eastern Ohio
My 2000 FXST had the blonde engine.
My 2011 FLHTC had the blonde engine.
My 2012 FLTRXSE has the black engine.
I remember there was a darker grey, I believe Harley called it granite. That was a Screamin Eagle motor color. I don't know what years CVO had them.
My 2011 FLHTC had the blonde engine.
My 2012 FLTRXSE has the black engine.
I remember there was a darker grey, I believe Harley called it granite. That was a Screamin Eagle motor color. I don't know what years CVO had them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20,955
Likes: 19,053
From: The Wasteland
I do recall the darker grey motors. I always thought they were the best looking motors, even more so than the black & chrome ones.
However, there doesnt seem to be a lot of bikes that come from the factory with them.
If memory serves me, some of the more recent Sportsters came with the dark grey motors.
However, there doesnt seem to be a lot of bikes that come from the factory with them.
If memory serves me, some of the more recent Sportsters came with the dark grey motors.
Last edited by Bubba Zanetti; May 21, 2025 at 07:03 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 3,668
From: Florida
You might be right.. but the article I posted a link too says before 94 they used a liquid paint… then powder after 94. So there “could” be some grey painted not just natural drivetrains. It would be cool to know for sure. I never gave it much thought.. all my shovels were natural and all my EVO’s have been black, never thought of the grey option.
Last edited by Rains2much; May 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,493
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From: Long Island, New York
Late Ironhead Sportsters, I think the Roadsters, had the rocker boxes and primary/cam cover painted a grey color. Then Troy's Belt Glide/WG has the stuff painted maroon.
HD definitely changed it around.
HD definitely changed it around.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 887
From: Sacto
I went ahead and looked at a 1990 brochure just to compare apples to apples and here are models that are shown as silver (does not include sportsters):
FXR
FXRS-CONV
FXRS-SP
FXRT
FLSTF
FXST
FLST
FLHS
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 3,668
From: Florida
I thought it was an odd question and thought I may have misunderstood because as you must have realized now that many year/mdl bikes had silver engine/trans.
I went ahead and looked at a 1990 brochure just to compare apples to apples and here are models that are shown as silver (does not include sportsters):
FXR
FXRS-CONV
FXRS-SP
FXRT
FLSTF
FXST
FLST
FLHS
I went ahead and looked at a 1990 brochure just to compare apples to apples and here are models that are shown as silver (does not include sportsters):
FXR
FXRS-CONV
FXRS-SP
FXRT
FLSTF
FXST
FLST
FLHS