Harley-Davidson Dark Candy Cherry Tricoat (61273) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This color defined the mid-2000s for Harley-Davidson, appearing on everything from the chrome-heavy Heritage Softail to the sleek V-Rod. It is a moody, sophisticated red that plays a disappearing act in low light, looking nearly black until the sun hits the metal. Once the light finds it, the depth of the cherry comes alive with a glow that standard metallic paints simply cannot replicate. Because your bike has been out in the elements since roughly 2005, the original finish might have shifted slightly, but this deep red remains one of the most rewarding colors to bring back to life.

Technical Details

You are dealing with a Tricoat finish, which is essentially a three-part harmony of paint. It requires a base coat for the foundation, a translucent mid-coat for that "candy" depth, and a clear coat for protection. This is not a color where you can just "one-and-done" the repair. The mid-coat is where the magic-and the risk-happens. Every time you add another layer of that mid-coat, the red gets darker and richer. If you apply too little, the patch will look pink and weak; if you apply too much, it will look like a dark bruise on your tank.

Best Practices

Unlike most cars, your bike doesn't always have a convenient sticker in the door jamb. You can usually find your code on a label near the steering neck on the frame or tucked under the seat. Before you spray or dab Harley-Davidson Dark Candy Cherry Tricoat (check for code 61273), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Test the color on the included card first. This is the only way to figure out exactly how many layers of the mid-coat you need to match the rest of your fender. Keep the container moving to ensure the metallic particles don't bunch up in one spot. Give the paint plenty of drying time between layers so the colors don't bleed into each other, and finish in the shade or a garage to keep dust out of the wet finish.