Tribal Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
“Riding a bike is all about the freedom,” he says. “It clears your mind when you’re on the open road. There is nothing but the elements and pure, free breezing… oh, and the odd bug or too.”
JEFFERY LARNER is somewhat of a bike nutter. From many moons he has been a keen owner of an array of motorbikes: a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, and by all accounts, he had it looking a million dollars; going for something with plenty of grunt he acquired a Ducati; and a Norton Commando 750 had a place in Jeff’s garage at one time. So you can see Jeff has an open mind when it comes to motorbikes.
Soon Jeff’s stable acquired a new Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, and by Hell he was having the time of his life squirting around the black-top on it.
Before long he started a make-over on the Fat Boy: the tank was stretched, the rear guard was modified for the brake light and number plate.
Next the Harley-Davidson was transformed with a brilliant maroon duco with striking yellow tribal patterns adorning it from tip to tail. The exquisite paint scheme was applied by Troy at Nightmare Designs.
The mirror finished Fat Boy was coming together and Jeff was right on track.
The boys at Pro Street waved their magic wand over the engine and it now pumps out 105 horsepower.
The bike features a Ness air-cleaner and Screamin’ Eagle slip-on mufflers, and wow, the tune it sends out is music to one’s ears.
Other custom parts include the solid billet headlight, custom wide handlebars and pop-up fuel caps. The handle grips are done in a combination of chrome and rubber flame, and this finish is also found on the forward controls and pedals. It certainly looks the part.
The custom leather seat is from Dave at Bushranger Seats, and again colour-coded with the tribal patterns to match the bike’s overall appearance.
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has been lowered by two inches at the rear giving it that lowrider look. The swingarm has seen some changes to accommodate the chunky 200 tyre before being chrome-plated. Jeff has had a number of other parts on the bike extensively chromed too.
With the five spoke rims coated in Metzeler rubber, it handles like shit to a blanket up through the Adelaide Hills. Jeff says the best run he’s had on the bike so far would have been his trip to Alice Springs.
Jeff has had the Fat Boy to many bike shows and has come home with the bacon and a variety of awards. He reckons the trophies are just the added bonus.
Jeff recently married his lovely girlfriend, Angie. Jeff rocked up to the church on the Fat Boy while Angie rocked up in a Kenworth T908. Both are truckies and work in the regional areas of outer northern Adelaide.
After all is said and done to this wild looking Fat Boy, Jeff said he would like to thank the guys at Pro Street for their help in the transformation of his bike.
Words & pics by Steve (Rags) Morris
