Billy’s Big Black Beast

THIS BIKE started out as an early model Harley-Davidson Fat Boy that I have owned since new. It has been well ridden as my main form of transport. I have been riding Harley-Davidsons since God was a kid and have gathered my fair share of bike related injuries over the years. These injuries were starting to take their toll on my legs, but I wanted to keep riding so I decided to convert the Fatty into a trike.

Firstly I contacted Hoppy at Hoppy’s Trikes on the Gold Coast and discussed what I wanted to do and how I wanted the bike to look. Hoppy is pretty clued up on the whole trike business and he pointed me in the right direction with one of his own Trike Conversion Kits.

I did most of the conversion work myself and had the rear guards fabricated to give it the Hotrod look that I wanted. I had the rear rack built out of stainless steel so I could throw a swag on whenever I felt like wandering off on a long haul.

Angry at Legends Motorcycle Mechanicals fitted up the five-degree rake Hawg Halter triple trees and 10-inch-over forks to give it the long, low look.

The engine is basically a stock Evo with some carb mods, a set of street sweeper pipes and a free flowing air cleaner, as the trike is my everyday rider I wanted the looks as well as the reliability.

The trike is fitted with an electric reverse gear for easier maneuvering.

To say I am real happy with the machine in its current form is an understatement. I reckon it handles like its on rails, but like any custom it’s never finished and I have a list of mods I still want to do.

Pics by Chuck; words by Billy

Footnote:

After the photo shoot one of his mates needed a lift home so Billy threw him on the back. Now they’re both big lads and the fatty looked like it might have its work cut out but, with the airbag suspension, the sweet handling and good power the old girl handled it all no worries. Billy uses this bike regularly and often runs around on it doing quotes for his business.