Beantown Baggers proudly presents, Interview Series featuring those who are market leaders, market makers and innovators in the glorious world of motorcycles. Given our New England roots, we are featuring first Chris Sawyer over at Boston Harley for the first of the series.

We consider ourselves free thinkers on your behalf and will remain neutral on local shops. We will feature very noteworthy subjects and people. If you know people who are changing the industry, one part at a time (techs, managers, riders or builders), please introduce them to us by emailing beantownbaggers@gmail.com.

To the interview…

How long have you been working at Boston Harley Davidson?

This time 5 years. But, I’ve been been doing this for 13 years. I started in ’00 in Boston in Parts, went to MMI in Orlando in ’02, came back to Boston in ’03 as a Service Writer/ Set Up Tech / Pick Up Delivery Driver then in ’04 I was at Seacoast as a Service Writer. ’05-’08 I was at Kellys back to Parts. Then back home to Boston.

Why Boston HD?

Because it’s Boston. It’s home. It’s where the action is.

What is the best time of year to work with your shop on new parts?

Winter gives us plenty of time to get all the parts and there is no pressure or rush to get it done for yesterday when it was 80 and sunny.

What can you share with the community of Beantown Baggers about cool products coming out?

• Extra capacity oil tank for ’09 and later baggers
• Lighted switches for the new dressers
• Any of the new Boom Audio products for the new bikes
• The new Infotainment Systems are sick
• High output charging system
• New and improved 5 3/4 LED headlights and the LED tail light
• Extreme billet ventilator air cleaner
• New premium road Zeppelin seats.

What add-on are you a big fan of right now that is being under-utilized? I.E. not everyone has it.

Red Shift dual piston cam chain tensioners

Best performing cams?

I was taught you want heads you call Dan Baisley, you want carbs and cams you call Bobby Woods. I like Red Shift cams. But, I like Screamin Eagle the best. They are made by the company that makes your bike. They take out the guess work just like all their great performance packages.

Best looking breather?

I like it plain and simple – classic round evo style preferably black. I may be the Chrome Consultant officially, but unofficially I am also the Merchant of Murdered Out! (Beantown Baggers comment – Chris this is your new nickname…it’s official)

Highest quality bars?

Paul Yaffe monkey bars or Cycle Smith

Lowest quality wheels?

Ride Wright

What Gets Your Wheels Spinning?

High performance stuff

Baddest Assed Bagger you’ve worked on?

There have been so many awesome baggers that have rolled in and out of BHD. I don’t have pictures of all of them, but from my gallery I think the best and favorite is an ’06 FLTR. It belongs to Paul Held, he works part time with us in Parts. I call it the inspector gadget bike as it has everything and is all the best of the best. It has:

• Cee Baileys windshield with the recurve thicker and stronger than the Klock Werks windshield and comes with aircraft grade hardware
• HD LED headlights
• Chrome front end with Progressive monotube kit inside
• HD chrome calipers and HD chrome revolver
• 10 spoke custom wheels
• PIAA fog lights
• 120 r with a few of the HD aluminator collection covers
• Also he has the HD aileron collection on most of his control
• Vance and Hines hi output 2:1 jet hot ceramic coated and chromed
• High torque starter
• Hydraulic clutch S.E. 6 speed transmission
• He has a Russ Wernimont design 6 gallon stretched fuel tank
• Boom Audio saddlebag speaker lids
• J&M 500 watt 4 channel amp and J&M 7.25” Rokker speakers
• detachable chopped tour pak
• Klock Werk 1.25” same ole handle bars
• chrome controls and braided lines and cables

What is your first memory of motorcycles?

Don’t really remember, but I always think of some video where it shows a kid on a bridge watching a pack of bikes roaring down the highway. My great uncle had a cool old FL Shovelhead when I was younger and one of my Dad’s friends would come visit us on his Softail.

Favorite bike of all time?

Have so many. Love them all. Would have to say ’94 FXRP, ’09 FLTR, ’13 FLTRU – anything with a knucklehead motor

Best biker flick ever?

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man

How can the community get a hold of you?

Come by the shop and say hi

Chris’ Contact Info
csawyer@bostonharley.com
– Check me out on Facebook