COLOR CODEPPG 905951 - Black Cherry PearlHarley-Davidson Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This color is a shapeshifter that defined the mid-2000s era for everything from the Road King to the Softail Heritage. In the low light of your garage, the finish passes for a deep, ink-like black. The moment you roll the bike into the sun, the red pearl particles ignite to reveal a rich burgundy depth. Since your bike has likely been on the road since 2005 or 2007, the paint has faced years of UV exposure. This means your existing finish might have a different personality than the factory-fresh paint in your hand, so you must account for that slight aging.

Technical Details

This is a pearl finish, which makes it far more complex than a standard solid color. Pearls rely on light passing through translucent layers to create that famous glow. If you apply the paint too thick with your brush or pen, the repair will look like a dark, muddy bruise. If you apply it too thin, the red highlights will look weak and won't catch the light. Before you spray or dab Harley-Davidson Black Cherry Pearl (check for code PPG 905951), you need to shake it for at least 60 seconds. The heavy pearl flakes settle at the bottom of the container, and if you do not mix them thoroughly, you will end up with a flat maroon that lacks the signature sparkle.

Best Practices

You will not find a paint code stamped on your gas tank or fenders. Usually, you have to look for the VIN on the steering head or check under the seat for a factory label to confirm the color match. When you start the repair, test the color on the included card to see how the pearl behaves. Keep the container moving as you apply the paint to prevent the metallic particles from clustering into dark spots. This ensures the "cherry" stays even across the repair. Once the paint is on, give it plenty of drying time before you touch the surface or apply a top coat.