Bad Influence Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
You must admit, you won’t see many chrome jobs as good as this and the paint is simply awesome.
INITIALLY, I planned a trip to Shep’s hometown in Western NSW to photograph his customised Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, but after many appointments and cancellations, we agreed it’d be better to meet halfway. Nonetheless, the opportunity of shooting his bike continued to elude me until I caught up with him at a party in Sydney of all places — and before you could blink, I was photographing his bike in front of a pub not far from my place.
“It’s a Fat Boy that started life as pewter pearl in colour,” said Shep. “I’ve had it for not quite two years and have been adding bits and pieces since then. It’s got nearly 20,000 km on the clock so it’s not just a show pony.
“Rear axle and pivot bolt covers were made by my mate Bernie. I have put everything on the bike myself with the odd hand from my wife and a few mates.
“I got the centre of the rims painted gunmetal grey. My mate Shane painted the base coat on the tank and guards. Then I took them to Joe Webb of Bad Image custom paint to get the paint job.
“The bike has won Best Paint at the VVMC Thunder West, Gladiators MC Jail Break, Longriders CMC Medowie, Best Harley at Coffs Harbour Motorcycle Show, and Top Harley and Bike of Show at Armidale Motor Show.
“I would like to thank Bernie, Shane Wharton and Joe Webb. And my wife for letting me spend heaps and it’s not over yet.”
The Parts List: It took me about 15 months to get this bike as you see it now. Here is a list of things I changed:
- Flame hand grips, floorboards, foot pegs, shift lever and brake pedal.
- OCC shift rod.
- Chrome switch blocks and controls.
- Buckshot mirrors.
- Braided throttle, clutch and brake cables.
- French headlight trim.
- Chrome fork legs, front and back brake calipers.
- Custom made front axle covers.
- Chrome regulator cover and floorboard mounts.
- Braided spark plug leads.
- Kuryakyn horn cover.
- Chrome inner primary cover, base cover, tappet block accent cover, oil line, nacelle cover and gearbox cover.
- Kuryakyn boomerang frame covers.
- Chrome swingarm covers and axle covers.
- LePera Barebone single seat.
- Laydown numberplate holder.
- Smoked tailight cover.
- Flame fuel caps.
- Chrome tank panel.
- Spike air cleaner.
- Vance & Hines Short Shot pipes.
words & photos by George
