Harley-Davidson motorcycles are known for their iconic styling and custom paint jobs. One of the most popular custom paint colors for Harleys is Black Cherry, a deep, rich red color that really makes a Harley pop. But like all custom paints, Black Cherry has a specific paint code that must be used to get the exact right hue and finish. In this article, we’ll look at what the specific Harley-Davidson paint code is for Black Cherry so you can get this custom color for your own Harley.
Harley-Davidson Color Codes
All Harley-Davidson paint colors have a specific code used by the factory and dealerships. These color codes are important when ordering new custom paint jobs or touch ups to ensure you get the right color and finish. Harley uses a two or three digit code for solid colors like Black Cherry. More complex multi-stage and metalflake colors may have longer codes.
Some examples of common Harley color codes are:
| Color | Code |
| Brilliant Silver | 91 |
| Big Blue Pearl | 01EW |
| Black Denim | 02 |
| Sunfire Red | 25R |
So for Black Cherry, there will also be a specific code. Knowing the right code helps make sure you get the true, deep Black Cherry tone when ordering a repaint or touch up.
What is Black Cherry?
Before looking at its color code, let’s discuss what exactly Black Cherry paint is. As the name suggests, it is a very deep, rich reddish or burgundy tone. When the sun hits it, smaller amounts of purple and black tones also come through. It is much darker than a typical red or burgundy paint job. That saturated, almost-black reddish color is what makes it stand out so dramatically on a Harley V-Twin engine and bodywork.
Black Cherry evokes classic hot rod culture and a bit of a sinister look compared to brighter reds or oranges. As a custom Harley color, it’s popular for giving a Milwaukee Eight or Sportster a vintage hot rod vibe. It looks great on Softails like the Fat Boy as well as Touring Road Glides and Street Glides. Basically any Harley looks more badass and unique in Black Cherry.
The History of Harley’s Black Cherry Paint
Black Cherry has been one of Harley-Davidson’s most popular special order paint colors for decades now. It’s roots go back to the 1950s and 1960s custom chopper era. Bikers wanted a darker, more unique alternative to basic red paint jobs. Black Cherry emerged as a deep burgundy-black hue that stood out yet still kept an undertone of classic Harley red.
Harley officially added Black Cherry to its list of supported custom color options in the 1980s. It joined other classic H-D custom colors like Hot Rod Red, Purple Fire, and Emerald Green that owners could request through the Harley paint program. Ever since then, Black Cherry has been a go-to custom color for riders wanting a more unique, badass look.
Black Cherry Paint Code for Harley-Davidson
So now that we’ve covered the background on Black Cherry, what exactly is the paint code to get this color on your Harley? The Harley-Davidson color code for Black Cherry is X6309 or HD309.
Those two codes are basically interchangeable – X6309 is used by Harley’s paint department, while HD309 is used by the parts and accessories department. But both refer to the same exact color formulation for true Harley-Davidson Black Cherry.
To recap the key Black Cherry paint code for Harleys:
| Color Name | Paint Code |
| Black Cherry | X6309 or HD309 |
So whether you’re ordering a full custom paint job or just need a touch up pen for some chips, be sure to provide your painter or dealer with the X6309 or HD309 color code to make sure you get the real deal Black Cherry.
Where Can You Get Black Cherry Paint?
Now that you know the exact Harley code for Black Cherry, where can you actually get the right paint? Here are some options:
– Harley-Davidson dealership parts departments – give them the X6309 or HD309 code and they can mix up the correct color paint for you.
– Independent Harley paint shops – many can also mix the right Black Cherry tone in-house if you provide the code.
– Touch up pens and spray cans – Harley dealerships often stock pre-mixed paint pens and aerosol spray cans in popular colors like Black Cherry. Very handy for small chips and scratches.
– Online Harley parts retailers – many websites sell properly formulated Black Cherry paint pens, aerosols, and touch up kits using the right factory color code.
So those are some ways to get correctly matched Black Cherry paint through the proper HD paint code. Just be careful buying custom paint online or from non-Harley sources – without the right code, you may end up with something similar but not quite the real Black Cherry hue.
Matching Black Cherry Accessories
Once you’ve got your Harley resprayed in beautiful Black Cherry, you may want to consider accessories to match this custom color. Here are some ideas that will complement Black Cherry paint:
– Black Cherry colored hand grips – complete the look with matching grips on the handlebars.
– Dark tinted windshield – a blacked out or dark smoked windscreen ties in nicely.
– Black engine parts – switching out chromed parts for blacked out cylinders, heads, covers, etc is a great contrast.
– Red or maroon seats – upholstery that pulls in some of that deep red tone looks great.
– Painted rear fender – remove the chrome and paint the rear fender Black Cherry to really make it pop.
– Red LED lights – switch from white to red LEDs for turn signals, brake lights, or accent lighting.
Basically anything that picks up on the Black Cherry hue or provides an appealing contrast will take the overall look to the next level. Get creative mixing paint, powder coating, upholstery, and other accessories to build a totally custom Black Cherry Harley.
Conclusion
Harley-Davidson’s Black Cherry is one of their most iconic custom paint colors and for good reason. The deep burgundy and red tones look fantastic on any style of Harley from old school choppers to new Touring bikes. The key to getting this color right is using the official Harley color code – X6309 or HD309. With the correct code, you can order Black Cherry paint for a re-spray, touch up, or accessories. Your local Harley dealer or accessory shop can easily match this code to give you the real Black Cherry treatment. Just be careful when ordering paint online – not all “Black Cherry” is created equal! We hope this overview gives you everything you need to get your hands on the perfect Harley-Davidson Black Cherry paint.
