The average Softail guy could see their bike in Mark’s as he didn’t eliminate the profile Harley-Davidson carefully worked into a stock Fat Boy. The basic outline is there, but with a bunch of twists from end to end and everywhere else in between until he had a sleek version of its former self. It’s amazing what swapping out the signature stock solid wheels will do for a different look without having to go crazy with giant rims. Give it a little space, add a curve-hugging fender and the whole burly look of the front end changes in a heart beat. Match it at the rear with a thoughtfully similar size and the whole bike starts looking light and airy. For most people, this would be more than enough and probably would keep their wallets intact and worthy of more than just being a license holder. 

   Mark didn’t stop there, though, and performed his own version of cleanup-in-aisle-three with a makeover of the forks, tank, headlight nacelle, bars, and seat. Nothing stupid for the sake of shock value and nothing really that would ruin taking a long spin on a nice Sunday. Even the paintjob is absolutely classy as hell with basic black and gold leaf striping adding a bit subtle elegance to the mix instead of often seen crap more suitable to ‘70s van murals. Simple is the hardest thing to do well.

  He did go a bit wonky when it came to the engine, but in a good way. The FLSTB’s 88 Twin Cam is now a buffed-up 95 with a lot of mechanical bling that’s okay with me. There’s just enough going on there with covers, caps, collectors, and more to make it interestingly busy, but not overly so. Besides, a nicely built-up 95-incher is still an exciting and pretty damn zippy Harley to ride. The height of the apes might be the only bone of contention to the masses staring at this bike, but that’s just a personal issue. Matter of fact, I’m sure some people would even find them not high enough. Hey, it takes all kinds and we’ve got every kind there is in the Harley world.