Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Explained

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Manufacturer:Harley-Davidson
Production:Since 1990
Class:Cruiser
Engine:(2020)
1868abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Brakes:Disc/disc
Transmission:Chain (Primary) / Belt (final drive)
Wheelbase:1636mm

The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, is a V-twin softail cruiser motorcycle with solid-cast disc wheels.[2] 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.[3] Fat Boys produced from 1990-2017 are coded FLSTF, and FLFB (& FLFBS) from 2018.

An oft-repeated false etymology claims that the name comes from a contraction of Fat Man and Little Boy, the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during WWII, as a symbolic insult to Japanese motorcycles.[4] This has been debunked, as the name "Fat Boy" actually comes from the observation that the motorcycle is somewhat wider than other bikes when viewed head-on.[5] In a 2015 interview, Scott Miller, Harley-Davidson's vice president of styling and product development, confirmed that the name was simply descriptive and had nothing to do with Harley's Japanese competitors.[6]

History and development

In the mid-1970s, mechanical engineer Bill Davis designed and built a predecessor to the Softail and patented the design in 1976.[7] Davis sold his patents, prototype, and tooling to Harley-Davidson in January 1982.[8] The Fat Boy was one of numerous Harley-Davidson models built on the Softail frame.

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),[12] 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.[13] Further upgrades include an LED headlight and 18-inch "Lakester" rims, with wider 160mm front and 240mm rear tires.[14] [15]

For 2020, the Fat Boy is only available with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Harley-Davidson also produced a 30th Anniversary edition for 2020.[16]

It is one of Harley-Davidson's best selling models and has appeared prominently in a number of TV shows and movies.[17] The Fat Boy earned a place in American pop culture after appearances in the movie . One of the motorcycles used in Terminator 2 is displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum. It appeared again in Terminator Genisys.[2] [18] [19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MOTO USA . 25 October 2016.
  2. Web site: Harley Fat Boy History . Harley-Davidson . 25 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Vehicle Profile:25 Years of the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. Harley-Davidson. May 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170920193829/http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/museum/explore/archives/did-you-know/vehicle-profile.html. September 20, 2017. dead.
  4. Web site: Luckhurst . Tim . Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/harleydavidson-flstf-fat-boy-424174.html . 2022-05-09 . subscription . live . The Independent . 13 December 2021 . en . 14 November 2006.
  5. Web site: Mikkelson . David . Harley-Davidson Fat Boy . Snopes.com . 13 December 2021 . 8 November 2000.
  6. Web site: Barrett . Rick . Harley Fat Boy a screen and street star . The Detroit News . 13 December 2021 . 5 August 2015.
  7. Web site: Three decades of Softail. Masker. Mark. Hot Bike. Bonnier Corporation. May 21, 2019.
  8. Book: Field . Greg . Harley-Davidson Softail . 2013-01-07 . 2003 . MotorBooks International. St. Paul, Minnesota . 0-7603-1063-7 . 18 . Bill Davis and the Design of the First Softail . Davis relented and signed the deal on January 6, 1982, selling Harley the Sub Shock Wide Glide prototype, the patents for the design, all the tooling, and six complete Sub Shock frames. .
  9. Web site: Harley Fat Boy Development . Hogrides . 25 October 2016 . 25 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161025172427/http://www.hogrides.info/harley-davidson-fatboy.htm . dead .
  10. Web site: Harley Fat Boy Launch . Sump Magazine . 25 October 2016.
  11. Web site: 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruisers Tech and Development. Cameron . Kevin . Cycle World. September 17, 2017. August 22, 2017 .
  12. SDBV image https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=g26tXN71&id=43B2B49D210A1D5CD449422D0C8E34678E5782C8&thid=OIP.g26tXN71_gScqAg9mutwUQHaE8&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fmotorcycle.com.vsassets.com%2fblog%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2017%2f07%2f071317-2017-Honda-CB1100-EX-showa-dual-bending-valve-fork-illustration.jpg&exph=540&expw=810&q=Showa+%22Dual+Bending+Valve%22&simid=608024834472543482&selectedIndex=1&qpvt=Showa+%22Dual+Bending+Valve%22&ajaxhist=0
  13. Web site: 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruiser Lineup . Cycle World. September 9, 2017. 2017 .
  14. Web site: This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy . MacDonald . Sean . Cycle World. July 9, 2018. August 22, 2017 .
  15. Web site: This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy . MacDonald . Sean . Cycle World. July 9, 2018. August 22, 2017 .
  16. Web site: 2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 30th Anniversary Unveiled . UltimateMotorcycling.com . 3 February 2020 . Ultimate Motorcycling . 18 February 2020.
  17. Web site: Fat Boy a Harley bestseller and Hollywood favorite for 25 years . Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel . 28 October 2016 . 28 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161028214954/http://archive.jsonline.com/business/fat-boy-a-harley-bestseller-and-hollywood-favorite-for-25-years-b99539485z1-318208431.html . dead .
  18. Web site: 'Terminator' Fat Boy preserved . 6 February 2014 . Motorbike Writer . 26 October 2016.
  19. Web site: Low Seat Height, Butt-Friendly Saddle, And A Smooth Ride . Hinton . TJ . Top Speed. July 9, 2018. January 12, 2018 .

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