Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

File:FLSTFB Fat Boy.jpg

In the mid-1970s, mechanical engineer Bill Davis designed and built a predecessor to the Softail and patented the design in 1976.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotbikeweb.com/three-decades-softail|title=Three decades of Softail|last=Masker|first=Mark|work=Hot Bike|date=31 October 2015 |publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=May 21, 2019}} Davis sold his patents, prototype, and tooling to Harley-Davidson in January 1982.{{cite book |last1=Field |first1=Greg |title=Harley-Davidson Softail |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxX1n-_ws8oC |accessdate=2013-01-07 |year=2003 |publisher=MotorBooks International|location=St. Paul, Minnesota |isbn=0-7603-1063-7 |page=18 |chapter=Bill Davis and the Design of the First Softail |quote=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. }} The Fat Boy was one of numerous Harley-Davidson models built on the Softail frame.

• After 1994, the exhaust was made seamless.
• In 1996 the master cylinder and switch gear were revised.
• In 1999 a new {{cvt|1450|cc}} Twin Cam engine for the 2000 model year was used. This necessitated a bespoke engine variant and changes to the frame.
• In 2002 bullet-style indicators, alarm and immobilizer were added.{{cite web | url=http://www.hogrides.info/harley-davidson-fatboy.htm | title=Harley Fat Boy Development | publisher=Hogrides | accessdate=25 October 2016 | archive-date=25 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025172427/http://www.hogrides.info/harley-davidson-fatboy.htm | url-status=dead }}
• In 2005 a 15th Anniversary version was sold with a "Screamin' Eagle" engine, special paint and custom wheels.
• In 2007 the displacement was increased to {{cvt|1584|cc}} and the transmission changed six speeds.{{cite web | url=http://sumpmagazine.com/harley-davidson/harley-davidson-fat-boy.htm#Launch | title=Harley Fat Boy Launch | publisher=Sump Magazine | accessdate=25 October 2016}}
• The 2010 "Fat Boy Lo" FLSTFB had the lowest ever Harley seat height.
• In 2012 the Fat Boy received the new {{cvt|1690|cc}} Twin Cam engine along with the rest of the softail range
• 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:
• FLFB {{Convert|1746|cc|cuin|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} with {{Convert|109|lbft|abbr=on}}, and
• FLFBS {{Convert|1868|cc|cuin|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} with {{Convert|119|lbft|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/2018-harley-davidson-softail-cruisers-tech-development//|last=Cameron |first=Kevin |title=2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruisers Tech and Development| publisher=Cycle World|accessdate=September 17, 2017|date=August 22, 2017 }}

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),[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 SDBV image] 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/2018-harley-davidson-softail-lineup//|title=2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruiser Lineup | publisher=Cycle World|accessdate=September 9, 2017|date=2017 }} Further upgrades include an LED headlight and 18-inch "Lakester" rims, with wider 160mm front and 240mm rear tires.{{cite web |url=https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-harley-davidson-softail-fat-boy//|last=MacDonald |first=Sean |title=This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy | magazine=Cycle World|accessdate=July 9, 2018|date=August 22, 2017 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-harley-davidson-softail-fat-boy-114//|last=MacDonald |first=Sean |title=This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy | magazine=Cycle World|accessdate=July 9, 2018|date=August 22, 2017 }}

For 2020, the Fat Boy is only available with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Harley-Davidson also produced a 30th Anniversary edition for 2020.{{cite web |title=2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 30th Anniversary Unveiled |url=https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2020/02/03/2020-harley-davidson-fat-boy-30th-anniversary-unveiled-first-look/ |website=UltimateMotorcycling.com |date=3 February 2020 |publisher=Ultimate Motorcycling |accessdate=18 February 2020}}

It is one of Harley-Davidson's best selling models and has appeared prominently in a number of TV shows and movies.{{cite web | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/business/fat-boy-a-harley-bestseller-and-hollywood-favorite-for-25-years-b99539485z1-318208431.html | title=Fat Boy a Harley bestseller and Hollywood favorite for 25 years | newspaper=Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel | accessdate=28 October 2016 | archive-date=28 October 2016 | archive-url=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 | url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://motorbikewriter.com/terminator-2-harley-davidson-fat-boy-preserved/ | title='Terminator' Fat Boy preserved | date=6 February 2014 | publisher=Motorbike Writer | accessdate=26 October 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson/2018-harley-davidson-fat-boy-ar179025.html |last= Hinton |first=TJ |title=Low Seat Height, Butt-Friendly Saddle, And A Smooth Ride | magazine=Top Speed|accessdate=July 9, 2018|date=January 12, 2018 }}

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Fat Boy

Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1990

Category:Cruiser motorcycles