When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello, my name is Edoardo and I am writing from Italy. I recently purchased a 1985 Harley-Davidson Softail and I am currently in the process of restoring the motorcycle.
I would like to ask whether anyone here could help me obtain additional information regarding the history and original specifications of this bike. Based on the information I have so far, I believe the motorcycle may have originally been purchased at a Harley-Davidson dealership on July 31, 1986.
According to the Harley-Davidson portal, the original color for this model and VIN is listed as:
CUSTOM / SPECIAL 098
However, I have some doubts regarding this color code, as I have not been able to find any reliable information or documentation about custom color codes from that period. For this reason, I am unsure what this code actually corresponds to in terms of the original paint.
Any help, documentation, or personal experience with mid-1980s Harley-Davidson custom or special colors would be greatly appreciated.
I believe that color may be called "BrandyWine", but I'm not 100% sure.
I see you have the tank apart... was there a color name tag on the bottom of the tank? I don't remember what year it started, but many early bikes had a tank build tag like this one:
In any case, with the color name, or your VIN, you should be able to call Harley Davidson Customer Service and they could get you your answer..
Those EVOs were great bikes... My '89 Heritage was one of the most trouble free Harleys I owned. FWIW, it's color was "Brandywine" and "Crimson"
I believe that color may be called "BrandyWine", but I'm not 100% sure.
I see you have the tank apart... was there a color name tag on the bottom of the tank? I don't remember what year it started, but many early bikes had a tank build tag like this one:
In any case, with the color name, or your VIN, you should be able to call Harley Davidson Customer Service and they could get you your answer..
Those EVOs were great bikes... My '89 Heritage was one of the most trouble free Harleys I owned. FWIW, it's color was "Brandywine" and "Crimson"
Good luck with your project.
Unfortunately my Harley doesn't have the paper label with the color code. I've already tried to contact a dealer but with the chassis number the color code found is CUSTOM/SPECIAL 098
Unfortunately my Harley doesn't have the paper label with the color code. I've already tried to contact a dealer but with the chassis number the color code found is CUSTOM/SPECIAL 098
FWIW....
I just a little digging, and what I found was that the Harley Color Code "098" was linked to two different colors depending on the specific model and year; " Champagne Metallic" or "Candy Red Sunglow Tricoat"
Great bike to own and looks really original, except maybe the paint. Were there custom colours available on them? If recally correctly there was something similar but with the big winged tank decals and different in striping.
Understanding the history of an old motorcycle or car is always interesting, especially when you have specific information like the purchase date. You can learn a lot from the VIN, such as the original trim, color, options, and sometimes even the owner history. Order a reproduction window sticker at https://carfast.express/en/vin_decoder and you can verify all these details and make sure your guesses are correct.
Not sure which AI gave you this bad info.... but... a VIN decoder will not help with paint color...
Harley motorcycles DO NOT contain the color in their VIN. It contains model, engine, year, and a couple other pieces of info, but not the color....
While the MoCo itself probably has the color info in their records, it's a crap shoot getting someone who has access, will take the time to look up the info. and then share it with you...
In an early post you were given the phone number to the Motor Company, call them. They have a bunch of information that the Dealers never received or kept. I was given a list of info for my 1970 FLH when I called, when she was built, which dealership she was shipped to, when etc. Lots of great info, but they could not tell me what color she left the factory.
That said, they may be able to give you all the colors for your year. Call the 1-800 #, great place to start.
Not sure which AI gave you this bad info.... but... a VIN decoder will not help with paint color...
Harley motorcycles DO NOT contain the color in their VIN. It contains model, engine, year, and a couple other pieces of info, but not the color....
While the MoCo itself probably has the color info in their records, it's a crap shoot getting someone who has access, will take the time to look up the info. and then share it with you...
You'll notice that that particular poster is no longer with us. Bot/scammer, etc.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Softail paint 1985
