This limited-production Harley-Davidson was part of the debut wave of the company’s CVO program, launched in 1999 to offer factory-built custom motorcycles in very small numbers. The nameplate appeared on the revived FXR platform, a chassis that had built a strong reputation among riders for its rigid feel and responsive handling during the original FXR era. For this special run, Harley-Davidson paired the FXR foundation with distinctive paint and custom styling touches, positioning the bike as an exclusive, enthusiast-focused model rather than a mass-market cruiser.
Official Harley-Davidson materials identify this model as one of the first two CVO motorcycles, alongside its FXR2 sibling, with production limited to 900 units. Period literature and manuals from Harley-Davidson document it as a 1999 model, and the company’s later CVO history confirms that the FXR3 was among the program’s founding machines. A separate 2000 FXR4 followed, but the FXR3 itself remained a 1999-only release.
Because it combined the familiar FXR chassis with the new factory-custom formula, this model has become significant in Harley-Davidson history: it marks the point where the brand turned a cult favorite platform into a numbered, low-volume special. For collectors and FXR fans, it stands out as an early and particularly important chapter in the CVO story.