Manufacturer | Harley-Davidson |
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Production | Since 1990 |
Class | Cruiser |
Engine |
1,450 cc (88 cu in) 1,584 cc (96.7 cu in) 1,690 cc (103 cu in) 1,746 cc (107 cu in) 1,868 cc (114 cu in) 1,868 cc (114 cu in) |
Transmission | Chain (Primary) / Belt (final drive) |
Brakes | Disc/disc |
Wheelbase | 1,636 mm (64.4 in) |
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][4] 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.[5] 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.[6][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.[7]
In the mid-1970s, mechanical engineer Bill Davis designed and built a predecessor to the Softail and patented the design in 1976.[8] Davis sold his patents, prototype, and tooling to Harley-Davidson in January 1982.[9] 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),[13] 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.[14] Further upgrades include an LED headlight and 18-inch "Lakester" rims, with wider 160mm front and 240mm rear tires.[15][16]
For 2020, the Fat Boy is only available with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Harley-Davidson also produced a 30th Anniversary edition for 2020.[17]
It is one of Harley-Davidson's best selling models and has appeared prominently in a number of TV shows and movies.[3] The Fat Boy earned a place in American pop culture after appearances in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. One of the motorcycles used in Terminator 2 is displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum. It appeared again in Terminator Genisys.[2][18][7][19]
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.
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