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Extract taken from Hog on the Tyne - Issue 6 - June 2007 Fat Boy Al & The Fat Boy Build - How to customise a mate’s bike – Details: Allen ‘Fat Boy Al’ Glasper Words: David Houghton Pictures: Fat Boy Al and Jonathan Hall – As the newsletter has evolved I’ve thought of different ways to tweak the publication, in the hope of improving the content, involving Chapter members more in informative articles that (hopefully) will be of interest, entertaining and inspirational. Not just ride outs, events and rallies, but certainly bike related and dare I say ‘educational’. It’s been enlightening for me if nobody else. One thought, a bike build (not just adding shiny bits), performed by a Chapter member, or members, that may spur others into ‘having a go’. The first such article was to be Grant Anderson’s (Chapter Committee member and Just Harleys sales executive) interesting build. Due to some later spec changes the write up on his bike has had to be delayed to the autumn issue of HOTT. At the time of going to press Grant’s customisation, a bike built around a 1976 Shovelhead engine, is now completed. So, in the interim, Allen Glasper stepped into the breach, well . . . . it took several weeks to pin him down. I finally succeeded on Saturday 19 May, by cornering him at Just Harleys and sitting him at Nick’s desk - thanks Nick. Over 45 minutes, or so, Allen, ‘Fat Boy Al’, (aka FBA) gave me the facts, revealing an unusual story and some entertaining anecdotes.
Those of you who know Fatboy Al will realise that he is not so named because of his girth, but his proclivity for the bike of that name - four FLSTFI’s to date. Al has spent twenty-five years of his 42 riding bikes, of which more than a decade have been in the saddle of one Harley, or another. Seven to date, customising and accessorising five of Mr Fatboy Al is the pivotal member of the project and not the only participant in the venture. Jon Hall obviously had input and other ‘crew members’: Tony ‘The Cat’ Pollard, plus Jon’s friend ‘Rolly’ manufactured some of the parts and fellow Chapter member Aidan ‘Bugsy’ Malone was a key member on the engineering side. This has been a tangential build where the original ‘kit’ for the main part of the build was bought by FBA for a bike he then owned, then shelved. Later Jon was happy to gain from Al’s experience and put the kit to good use.
Technical details are legion - so here goes. The spec consists, I asked my questions from the front to the back, and made copious notes of the custom one offs and after market parts. The front tyre, an Avon Venom (120 x 60 x 21 inch), wrapped around a 21 inch American wire wheel, with twisted spokes. The fender custom built, to hug the tyre, took four attempts before Al was satisfied with it, which shows his determination for design, a real eye for style and perfection. A DNA (based in California) 3 degree racked front end, built from chromed billet aluminium, houses the standard Fatboy forks, which have been lowered by 2 inches, been powder coated black and fitted with progressive springs. The custom adapted headlight sits neatly beneath the 1.5 inch T-bars (again coated black) supported by 5.5 inch risers. Wiring is internal, power brake lines by Goodrich and Kellerman indicators on the bars (grip ends).
The frame is standard spec, yes - black, and the controls standard. Forward controls, incorporating the jiffy stand, are billet aluminium, again supplied by the American company DNA. Allen met the owner of DNA at the Exile 10th anniversary party, where the synapses started sparking and ideas formed. Al and Co stretched the fuel tank for a smooth faultless contour and seamless neat fit around the black Le Pera ‘Bare Bones’ saddle modified by Al to fit precisely into the tank. A stunning paint job complements the smooth lines of this build. Although colourful, mostly deep orange, the appearance is one of subtlety, lending itself to the ‘meatiness’ of the bike. The ‘Aztec Orange’ is over sprayed with a black chequered motif, pearl white pinstripe and 14 coats of clear lacquer to add depth. The fabulous paint job was created by Steve at Rainbow Rides (www.rainbow-rides.me.uk), in Crook, Co
The engine remains ‘untweaked’ and is earmarked as one of next year’s projects. Nevertheless the fuel injection is fitted with a Vance & Hines fuel pack, complemented by a Kuryakyn hypercharger. A Supertrap exhaust for a 300mm right side drive 2.75 inch twin system looks ‘the biz’. This is where ‘Bugsy’ (the technical wiz) headlines in the project and his technical know how comes to the fore. He relocated the gearbox to a right sided drive, using a Zodiac conversion kit. Zodiac also provided the 300mm swinging arm kit. Four pot callipers up front, the rear end uses a ‘braked pulley’ by DNA. A single sided brake and pulley system, designed to leave the left side open for its aesthetic qualities. The 300mm x 18 inch American wire wheel, again with twisted spokes, runs with no offset at all. The rear fender was manufactured by Penz in On one of Jonnie’s trips to the States he managed to find a side fitting number plate and light unit which bolts to the primary on the left side. Here’s where the story becomes anecdotal, ‘intrigue’ springs to mind and a smattering of humour. This build was destined to be; fate had a hand, but appeared through a side door . . . FBA first got the idea for a 300 conversion when he saw a Fatboy at the HOG European Rally in St Tropez in 2005. Later that year he purchased the Zodiac kit from a shop in Richmond (UK) who were also scheduled to do the conversion. Al went on vacation and on returning went to check how his conversion was progressing. On arrival he met the official receivers who were busy changing the locks on the building and impounding its contents! Allen: “With my nephew I later ‘entered’ the building, recovered Simon Berry‘s bike and mine, plus the parts I’d paid for, replaced the locks and posted the keys (anonymously) through the local council’s door. The bike was in bits. I had to make a decision and with work pressures etc had little time to complete the project myself. So the bike was reassembled as was and the conversion kit put to one side. Then at the 2006 Killarney Rally I unexpectedly met up with an old mate (Jonathan) who I’d known for six, or seven, years. Simon Berry and I were tying up our bikes on the Holyhead ferry. A pearl black Fatboy pulled up beside us, I didn’t look at the rider, he was wearing his helmet anyway. It wasn’t until we disembarked that he said “Are you not fu*king speaking like!?” that I realised it was Jonnie. He was wearing a leather jacket, T-shirt, ripped jeans and was taking the bike thing a bit too far, as it was freezing as we got there at midnight in the rain. He became known as ‘Jonnie the Chef’ having booked all our meals and restaurants (he loves food) during the event. We’ve ridden together ever since Hamburg Harley Days in July 2006. I haven’t been able to get rid of him since! I showed him my bike and the kit and asked if he wanted to use it. He liked the idea of the conversion and had just the Fat Boy to fit it to. Aidan and I got together and started the build in Jonathan’s garage. It had its ups and downs, commuting to Teesside and input on how the build should progress slowed things considerably.”
Editor: I’m sure that a number of you wish you had the time, money and bottle to take the customising bull by the horns and have a go. If you do, take plenty of progress shots from lots of angles, close ups of interesting parts, write down the facts and figures and let me know. As ever, high resolution shots are good, not in bright sunlight with lots of shadows. The final image of the finished bike should have a neutral background, no other vehicles, and no clutter. Rainbow Rides would like to thank David Houghton for supplying us with this editorial and allowing us to publish it on our website. For more details about the Geordie Chapter HOG contact: Geordie Chapter HOG, |
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