HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => EVO 1340 => Topic started by: david lee on November 26, 2018, 12:22:30 AM

Title: fatboy
Post by: david lee on November 26, 2018, 12:22:30 AM
just wondering if the 1990 fatboy is a collectable model and  worth thanks
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: nibroc on November 26, 2018, 06:29:53 AM
the 99 model might be............. :chop:
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Burnout on November 26, 2018, 02:50:13 PM
The first model might be, I've never seen one....

I think they were made up bomb-ish.

Ixnayed by some loafer wearing do gooder (who forgot what they did to us at PH)
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: david lee on November 27, 2018, 01:51:51 AM
Quote from: Burnout on November 26, 2018, 02:50:13 PM
The first model might be, I've never seen one....

I think they were made up bomb-ish.

Ixnayed by some loafer wearing do gooder (who forgot what they did to us at PH)
they were i just watched a tv show about them
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: JW113 on December 01, 2018, 09:13:55 AM
Yep, silver-gray with school bus yellow accents. I suppose anything is collectable if you find the right buyer.

-JW
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Flhfxd on December 01, 2018, 10:47:45 AM
Dude lives down the road from me has one. !990 FatBoy. Has about 5000 miles on it. Spotless. I told him the origin of the name (at least the urban myth origin...). He hadn't heard that story before. He thinks it's worth a small fortune.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: JW113 on December 01, 2018, 07:22:58 PM
Yes, I can imagine he does. Tell him to do a little surfing on the internet, might pop his bubble.

In 100 years, who knows? Today.... $5-6K, can be yours.

-JW
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: hbkeith on December 02, 2018, 03:01:49 AM
Quote from: david lee on November 27, 2018, 01:51:51 AM
Quote from: Burnout on November 26, 2018, 02:50:13 PM
The first model might be, I've never seen one....

I think they were made up bomb-ish.

Ixnayed by some loafer wearing do gooder (who forgot what they did to us at PH)
they were i just watched a tv show about them
Whats the name of the show ?
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: david lee on December 02, 2018, 05:05:46 AM
i cant remember the name of the show but google 1990 harley davidson fat boy history it still runs.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Flhfxd on December 02, 2018, 06:44:59 AM
Something to do with Americans response to asian manufacturers "dumping" illegal quantities of product into the USA marketplace in order to suppress prices with hopes of putting HD out of business. As HD was liberated from AMF and the USA formally actioned Anti Dumping laws, the FatBoy was released. A hybrid name which supposedly comes from the infamous Fatman and Littleboy nuclear bombs that were dropped on Japan in 1945.
I'm sure no one would admit to this even if it was true....
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Burnout on December 02, 2018, 09:20:22 AM
That was the last time the board let Willie make marketing decisions without their approval.   :smiled:
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: JW113 on December 02, 2018, 09:56:26 AM
I think your (or thier) timing is a little off. HD petitioned the US government for trade protection in 1982, and was signed into law by Ronnie Reagan in 1983. Four years later, HD petitioned that the 49% import tariff on motorcycles 700cc and above be lifted, i.e. 1987. The Fatboy was introduced in 1990. So the Fatboy had nothing to do with the motorcycle tariff against Japan.

-JW
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Hossamania on December 02, 2018, 10:02:45 AM
Quote from: Burnout on December 02, 2018, 09:20:22 AM
That was the last time the board let Willie make marketing decisions without their approval.   :smiled:

And yet, one of their most popular models.
I remember when it came out, I had not heard about it or seen any ads for it. I was doing some work at Charmicheal-Lynche advertising agency, and as I walked down one of the halls, there was a large picture of the Fatboy in their ad, with the phrase "Hey, Fatboy!" I stopped dead in my tracks and couldn't take my eyes off of it, and decided then and there that I was buying one. I didn't, because I showed it to my good friend, and he ordered one, I figured I couldn't have the same bike, so ended up with a Heritage, but the FatBoy has a place in my heart.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: JW113 on December 02, 2018, 10:31:21 AM
I can relate there, Hoss. I was in the market for a new bike in 1991, and also wanted the Fatboy. Softails were selling like hotcakes, and production could not keep up with demand. The dealership in San Jose was completely sold out of their allocation for Fatboys, so ended up with a Heritage as well. Not the turquois & white one that I wanted, though, those were gone also. With a set of Fatboy bars, and removal of the bags & shield, I "dumbed down" the Heritage to a "laced wheel Fatboy". Close enough, but I sure did like those solid aluminum rims.

-JW
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: david lee on December 02, 2018, 01:26:58 PM
Quote from: JW113 on December 02, 2018, 10:31:21 AM
I can relate there, Hoss. I was in the market for a new bike in 1991, and also wanted the Fatboy. Softails were selling like hotcakes, and production could not keep up with demand. The dealership in San Jose was completely sold out of their allocation for Fatboys, so ended up with a Heritage as well. Not the turquois & white one that I wanted, though, those were gone also. With a set of Fatboy bars, and removal of the bags & shield, I "dumbed down" the Heritage to a "laced wheel Fatboy". Close enough, but I sure did like those solid aluminum rims.

-JW
whats the best hd youve had.thanks
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Hossamania on December 02, 2018, 02:16:46 PM
Quote from: david lee on December 02, 2018, 01:26:58 PM
Quote from: JW113 on December 02, 2018, 10:31:21 AM
I can relate there, Hoss. I was in the market for a new bike in 1991, and also wanted the Fatboy. Softails were selling like hotcakes, and production could not keep up with demand. The dealership in San Jose was completely sold out of their allocation for Fatboys, so ended up with a Heritage as well. Not the turquois & white one that I wanted, though, those were gone also. With a set of Fatboy bars, and removal of the bags & shield, I "dumbed down" the Heritage to a "laced wheel Fatboy". Close enough, but I sure did like those solid aluminum rims.

-JW
whats the best hd youve had.thanks

For me, so far, it's been my '01 RoadKing, by far. Much smoother drivetrain, being rubber mounted. The Softail had a lower seat, but the steering geometry was nowhere near as good as the King. The King is just plain more comfortable. More power too, but not a deal breaker for everyone. Me, I'm a horsepower junkie. Still have it, over 110,000 miles on the original motor, tranny, and even the spoked rear wheel. And I still beat hell out of it.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: JW113 on December 06, 2018, 09:12:00 AM
I think we've talked about this before Hoss, I recall you're about the same height as me. From a vibration point of view, yes the rubber mounts (and counter balanced TC-Bs) more comfy. But I also have a '04 RK, and I sure do not like the eronomics of it for a 5'8" stature. They seem better suited for a +6' person, the seat is too far back, the boards and bars too far forward. I find the Evo softails (and FL shovels) fit me like a glove. Yes, they vibrate, but at easy crusin' speeds, it's kind of a nice vibration. High speed riding of course can beat the hell out of you. With my '91, the first few years of ridiing it I used to complain a bit about the vibs. After the first 100,000 miles, I didn't seem to notice it anymore.
:SM:

So which is best? Can't say. They are all different, and each brings something to the party that the others don't. Depends on what the ride and destination is. Pick the right tool for the job!

-JW
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: david lee on December 06, 2018, 01:07:06 PM
Quote from: JW113 on December 06, 2018, 09:12:00 AM
I think we've talked about this before Hoss, I recall you're about the same height as me. From a vibration point of view, yes the rubber mounts (and counter balanced TC-Bs) more comfy. But I also have a '04 RK, and I sure do not like the eronomics of it for a 5'8" stature. They seem better suited for a +6' person, the seat is too far back, the boards and bars too far forward. I find the Evo softails (and FL shovels) fit me like a glove. Yes, they vibrate, but at easy crusin' speeds, it's kind of a nice vibration. High speed riding of course can beat the hell out of you. With my '91, the first few years of ridiing it I used to complain a bit about the vibs. After the first 100,000 miles, I didn't seem to notice it anymore.
:SM:

So which is best? Can't say. They are all different, and each brings something to the party that the others don't. Depends on what the ride and destination is. Pick the right tool for the job!

-JW
the best thing i did for my 80 lowrider is change it back to stock controls get rid of running boards and put on low wide bars so much comfortable to ride.to me if your not 6 ft tall forward controls are useless.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: Hossamania on December 06, 2018, 01:27:23 PM
Quote from: JW113 on December 06, 2018, 09:12:00 AM
I think we've talked about this before Hoss, I recall you're about the same height as me. From a vibration point of view, yes the rubber mounts (and counter balanced TC-Bs) more comfy. But I also have a '04 RK, and I sure do not like the eronomics of it for a 5'8" stature. They seem better suited for a +6' person, the seat is too far back, the boards and bars too far forward. I find the Evo softails (and FL shovels) fit me like a glove. Yes, they vibrate, but at easy crusin' speeds, it's kind of a nice vibration. High speed riding of course can beat the hell out of you. With my '91, the first few years of ridiing it I used to complain a bit about the vibs. After the first 100,000 miles, I didn't seem to notice it anymore.
:SM:

So which is best? Can't say. They are all different, and each brings something to the party that the others don't. Depends on what the ride and destination is. Pick the right tool for the job!

-JW

I definitely had to change my seat and lowered it front and rear.
I was just answering the question, "which is the best HD you've had."
My RK is the best HD I've had.
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: david lee on December 07, 2018, 12:44:37 AM
Quote from: Hossamania on December 06, 2018, 01:27:23 PM
Quote from: JW113 on December 06, 2018, 09:12:00 AM
I think we've talked about this before Hoss, I recall you're about the same height as me. From a vibration point of view, yes the rubber mounts (and counter balanced TC-Bs) more comfy. But I also have a '04 RK, and I sure do not like the eronomics of it for a 5'8" stature. They seem better suited for a +6' person, the seat is too far back, the boards and bars too far forward. I find the Evo softails (and FL shovels) fit me like a glove. Yes, they vibrate, but at easy crusin' speeds, it's kind of a nice vibration. High speed riding of course can beat the hell out of you. With my '91, the first few years of ridiing it I used to complain a bit about the vibs. After the first 100,000 miles, I didn't seem to notice it anymore.
:SM:

So which is best? Can't say. They are all different, and each brings something to the party that the others don't. Depends on what the ride and destination is. Pick the right tool for the job!

-JW

I definitely had to change my seat and lowered it front and rear.
I was just answering the question, "which is the best HD you've had."
My RK is the best HD I've had.
sorry. it was mentioned before
Title: Re: fatboy
Post by: hbkeith on December 07, 2018, 01:15:29 AM
Quote from: JW113 on December 06, 2018, 09:12:00 AM
I think we've talked about this before Hoss, I recall you're about the same height as me. From a vibration point of view, yes the rubber mounts (and counter balanced TC-Bs) more comfy. But I also have a '04 RK, and I sure do not like the eronomics of it for a 5'8" stature. They seem better suited for a +6' person, the seat is too far back, the boards and bars too far forward. I find the Evo softails (and FL shovels) fit me like a glove. Yes, they vibrate, but at easy crusin' speeds, it's kind of a nice vibration. High speed riding of course can beat the hell out of you. With my '91, the first few years of ridiing it I used to complain a bit about the vibs. After the first 100,000 miles, I didn't seem to notice it anymore.
:SM:

So which is best? Can't say. They are all different, and each brings something to the party that the others don't. Depends on what the ride and destination is. Pick the right tool for the job!

-JW
I have to agree , thinking back , out of 22 HD's , my 86 FXSTC , 98 FLSTC and my old FLH,s sure felt good , im 5'9"