Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Manufacturer Harley-Davidson
Production Since 1990
Engine Twin-Cam V-Twin[1]1990 – 2017
1,340 cc (82 cu in)
1,584 cc (96.7 cu in)
Milwaukee-Eight 2018–
1,746 cc (107 cu in)
1,868 cc (114 cu in)
Transmission Chain (Primary) / Belt (final drive)
Wheelbase 1,636 mm (64.4 in)
FLSTF

The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, is a popular [2] V-twin softail cruiser motorcycle with solid-cast disc wheels.[3]. Designed by Willie G. Davidson and Louie Netz, Harley-Davidson built a prototype Fat Boy in Milwaukee for the Daytona Bike Week rally at Daytona Beach in 1988 and 1989.[2][4] Fat Boys produced from 1990-2017 are coded FLSTF, and FLFB (& FLFBS) from 2018.

The Fat Boy's curious name is said to come from the bike's "massive presence", and that the name gave a link to the earlier Harley-Davidson "Fat Bob" model.[5][6]

History & development

The Fat Boy's frame is derived from the 1984 "Softail" which appears to have a rigid hardtail chassis but which in fact has a swinging arm with concealed springs. Harley-Davidson originally turned down engineer Bill Davis' softail concept; but the company later relented, buying the rights and designing its own softail frame in-house.[7]

  • After 1994, the Fat Boy was fitted with a seamless exhaust.
  • In 1996 the master cylinder and switch gear were revised.
  • 1999 saw a new twin-cam 1450cc engine.
  • In 2002 bullet-style indicators, alarm and immobiliser were added.[8]
  • In 2005 a "15th Anniversary" version was available with a "Screamin' Eagle" engine and extras including special paint and custom wheels.[8]
  • In 2006 the engine was upgraded to a larger twin cam 1584cc model[8] and a six speed gearbox.[7]
  • The 2010 "Fat Boy Lo" FLSTFB had the lowest ever Harley seat height.[3]

The 2018 Fat Boys have a redesigned softail frame with Showa front and rear suspension and new twin-counterbalanced Milwaukee-Eight engines. The two 2018 variants comprise:

  • The FLFB 1,746 cc (107 cu in) with 109 lb⋅ft (148 N⋅m), and
  • The FLFBS 1,868 cc (114 cu in) with 119 lb⋅ft (161 N⋅m)[9]

The 2018 Softail frame has a modified swingarm with a Showa rear monoshock suspension mounted beneath the seat (replacing earlier twin shocks). So as to provide a more comfortable and better controlled ride with improved handling, the front forks contain a Showa "Dual Bending Valve" (SDBV),[10] a cartridge simulator using two valves to control compression and rebound damping, giving linear damping characteristics proportional to fork stroke speed. Harley-Davidson claims the 2018 chassis is stiffer and lighter than earlier Softail and Dyna platforms.[11] Further upgrades include an LED headlight and 18-inch “Lakester” rims, with wider 160mm front and 240mm rear rubber.[12][13]

Media appearances

The Fat Boy gained mainstream visibilty via the Terminator 2 and Terminator: Genisys films. The motorcycle used in Terminator 2 is displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum.[3] [14][15] A Fat Boy has also appeared in Sons of Anarchy, Wild Hogs and CSI: Miami[3][15][16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MOTO USA". Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel". Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Harley Fat Boy History". Harley-Davidson. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Vehicle Profile:25 Years of the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy". Harley-Davidson. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  5. ↑ origins of the name Fat Boy [https://itstillruns.com/harley-called-fat-boy-5167584.html}
  6. ↑ Fat Boy history
  7. 1 2 "Harley Fat Boy Launch". Sump Magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Harley Fat Boy Development". Hogrides. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Cameron, Kevin (August 22, 2017). "2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruisers Tech and Development". Cycle World. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  10. ↑ SDBV image
  11. ↑ "2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruiser Lineup". Cycle World. 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  12. ↑ MacDonald, Sean (August 22, 2017). "This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy". Cycle World. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  13. ↑ MacDonald, Sean (August 22, 2017). "This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy". Cycle World. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ "'Terminator' Fat Boy preserved". Motorbike Writer. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  15. 1 2 Barrett, Rick (July 22, 2015). "Fat Boy a Harley bestseller and Hollywood favorite for 25 years". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  16. ↑ Hinton, TJ (January 12, 2018). "Low Seat Height, Butt-Friendly Saddle, And A Smooth Ride". Top Speed. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
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