Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild

The Old Guard on Harley's new custom

T hat Willie G. should wax poetic over The Motor Company's new-for2000 FXSTD Deuce could be discounted as so much PR hoopla. His last name is Davidson, remember? But for his aesthetic musings to be backed up by today's premier customizers; well, that's a whole `nother ball of carnuba.

With its clean lines and elegantly fluid finish, the Deuce represents a potential shift in the goings-on at Harley. “They’re definitely trying to step things up,” says King of Customs Arlen Ness. “The front end is nice, and from the seat on back, it almost looks like a Japanese cruiser because they’ve smoothed out the lines. And the Japanese always have good stuff.”

Ness isn’t the only one making Asian comparisons, and the Deuce’s integrated look is certainly the stuff of controversy. But it’s also the recipient of grudging respect. Noted stylist Donnie Smith puts it this way, “For Harley to approach the custom market, they did a reasonably decent job. Of course, they have different guidelines they have to follow. But overall, for them it was a pretty good effort.”

Not the most rousing show of support, but solid. Complementing Smith’s more conservative discourse is longtime Harley customizer and dealer Bob Dron. “I can’t believe they did it,” he says gleefully, laughing out loud. “I am so happy they did it. It’s like Chrysler and the Prowler. And I think there’s more to come. When I ask, they won’t tell me anything, but they smirk.”

So, is the much lauded Deuce Milwaukee’s long-awaited warning shot fired across the collective bow of the Harley hybrids? Much more than that, insists Dron, “At $15,995, this thing will blow the shorts off the clones!”

Fair warning. - Wendy F. Black