The Buzz in the industry, regarding the new H-D models, is this seat and the rear fender. Someone recently commented, “It’s about time they figured how to mount the fender to the swingarm.” If you’re ever decided to make this custom adjustment to a swingarm bike, you know the obstacles. It’s tough and tough on the fender, since suddenly it’s flying with all the movement of the rear suspension, the swingarm and the road surface. For some reason, known only to educated engineers, a rigid frame rear fender doesn’t seem to face nearly the abuse of a fender mounted to a swingarm.

Other problem areas are taillights, turnsignals and where the passenger will ride. If she rides on the fender, she’ll be hammered before she gets home. The same applied for the taillights and turnsignals. But this year the factory stepped up to the plate and took on this daunting task. We’ll see out it hangs together. I wonder if John Buttera had something to do with the design.

Here’s how the new passenger seat works to keep your rider as far away from that rumbling fender as possible. As Bandit would say, “Hang on!”

FXCWC Rocker C Model Overview

The chromed-out cousin to the Rocker, the Rocker C features an industry first with the Trick seat design, which conceals a passenger pillion and struts under the solo seat cushion.

To accommodate a riding partner, simply lift off the seat and the pillion folds out to deploy over the Rockertail rear section. Brilliant chrome plating replaces most components finished with Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat on the Rocker, including the headlamp and triple clamps, the handlebar riser, the fork lowers, and the tank console and speedometer.

The finned aluminum oil tank, frame and swingarm are color-matched to the sheetmetal, which features a swirling pinstripe flame from fender to fender.

FXCWC Rocker C features:

Rigid-mount, 1584cc Twin Cam 96B balanced engine
6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
Black powdercoated engine with chrome covers
Chrome Shorty Dual mufflers with slash-cut outlets
Finned cast-aluminum oil tank
240 mm-18 rear / 90 mm-19 front tire
Polished Cast Aluminum Tapered Five Spoke 19-inch front/18-inch rear wheels
Rockertail rear section
Stretched fuel tank with recessed cloisonné medallion
Trick seat with concealed passenger pillion
Independent V-Bar handlebars on five-inch curved risers
Console-mounted speed shop style speedometer
Color-matched frame, swingarm and oil tank
Chrome fork lowers, headlamp, console, speedometer and other components
Integrated LED rear turn indicators/tail/brake lamps
Deluxe pinstripe flames standard
Optional Smart Security System

For more information the Harley-Davidson web site contains a video clip demonstration on Rocker pillion installation.

--Natalie Pedersen
Product Communications
Harley-Davidson Motor Company