Taking a peek at the photos you can see there was a lot more going on here than just a color change. What Tom and the boys at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shop did was to tastefully modify Carlos’ Fat Boy into a show stunner without losing the Softail’s real- world usefulness as a motorcycle you’d want to ride as well as show off. That‘s a little trick too many owners and builders seem to have forgotten, you know, the riding aspect of owning a motorcycle. Yeah, I know it’s a crazy thing to expect, but riding a motorcycle was what got everybody into this in the first place.
After stripping this bike down, Tom got to work replacing the stock solid disco slab 16” front wheel with a spoked 23” that immediately gave this Fat Boy a new slimmer persona. A set of HHI triple trees facilitated this move instead of a cut-and-weld job on the frame. In back, a matching spoked 18” wheel keeps this bike from ever being recognized and called a Fat Boy other than on insurance and title paperwork.
Thug replaced the fenders front and rear with something more stylishly appropriate for the new wheels’ diameters. They also took the stock tank and reworked it with Old School deep-dished sides that slimmed this baby up even more. With all the modified bodywork done, Rick Corgan at Be-Unique.com got his talented hands on a spray gun and shot a basecoat of white with black flames and black tank panels that wipes out any fear of banana-colored flashbacks Carlos might experience. The blacked-out engine and black rims and hubs only add to the overall ex-mellow yellow effect.
The first year Twin Cam B engine that was in Carlos’ Fat Boy was never known as a killer motor, but the boys at Thug can’t leave well enough alone. Tom got down and dirty and worked over this engine until the tame, but reliable 88” motor became a rip-snortin’ 95-incher. I have to admit I get a little nostalgic seeing a carb hanging off the right side for a change. Long term simplicity and parts availability are a plus-plus even if the start-up requires you to pay a little more attention to what you’re doing compared to the now-scary vintage Magneti Marelli EFI that was an option. Probably the only thing I’d personally question are the wicked long fishtails, but that’s something that’s just a matter of personal preference (obviously not mine, but who cares what I think) and/or what your local DMV might have to say. Hey, if Carlos is cool with them, that’s all that counts.
Even though Barnett’s photographer, Jack Cofano, took the photos of Carlos’ ex-Fat Boy while it was on display at Daytona’s Rat’s Hole Show, for Carlos it’s still about the ride as well as the looks. “I love the profile, the way it sits. It looks fast without even moving. But, it’s my everyday rider and it’s fast now when it is moving.” This bike is still a work in progress as Carlos added,” It’s not finished yet. I’m waiting for Thug Custom Cycles to come out with their custom floor boards and other accessories to finish this bike.” Sounds like one happy customer to me.
Hopefully you won’t have to crash your bike if you’d like to change it around a bit from stock and maybe the guys from Thug Custom Cycles are the crew you’re looking for to accomplish this. It doesn’t cost you a thing to punch up www.thugcustomcycles.com and see for yourself.