Where did the name "Fat Boy" come from??
#31
06-12-2011, 09:19 PM
I have a couple guys I worked with that seem to love to bash HDs. BMW lovers... and they mentioned to me that the Fat Boy was named after the A-bombs dropped on Japan during WWII. These guys told me the Harley Davidson choose this name because HD was sick of the Japan bikes trying to copy them at the time.
So I searched it on the trusty internet and it appears that indeed it is an Urban Legend but don't know the truth to it. Below is what I found from my search:
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By 1990, with the introduction of the "Fat Boy", Harley once again became the sales leader in the heavyweight (over 750 cc) market. At the time of the Fat Boy model introduction a story rapidly spread that its silver paint job and other features were inspired by the World War II American B-29 bomber; and that the Fat Boy name was a combination of the names of the atom bombs (Fat Man and Little Boy) that were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima respectively. However, the Urban Legend Reference Pages lists this story as an urban legend.
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So I searched it on the trusty internet and it appears that indeed it is an Urban Legend but don't know the truth to it. Below is what I found from my search:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
By 1990, with the introduction of the "Fat Boy", Harley once again became the sales leader in the heavyweight (over 750 cc) market. At the time of the Fat Boy model introduction a story rapidly spread that its silver paint job and other features were inspired by the World War II American B-29 bomber; and that the Fat Boy name was a combination of the names of the atom bombs (Fat Man and Little Boy) that were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima respectively. However, the Urban Legend Reference Pages lists this story as an urban legend.
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#33
06-12-2011, 09:52 PM
You aren't really upset by those clowns are you?
Remind them of the country of origin for their favorite bikes. Germany has such a peaceful history its self...
Remind them of the country of origin for their favorite bikes. Germany has such a peaceful history its self...
#36
06-13-2011, 12:49 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
I was always surprised at the name, because everyone knows that vehicles are ALWAYS of the female persuasion. Nobody has ever given a masculine name to a vehicle(my Fatboy's name is "Pearl" 'cause she's pearl white) So the bike should've been called the "FatGIRL". Except the lesbos & feminists would prolly object;the way they're always whining.
Last edited by dickey; 06-13-2011 at 12:52 AM.
#38
06-13-2011, 02:57 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/509th_Composite_Group
I was in the 509th FMS, very briefly, in 1985, at Pease AFB NH. The 509th is still an active b-2 wing at Whiteman AFB.
Look at the unit patch, then decide for yourselves.
I was in the 509th FMS, very briefly, in 1985, at Pease AFB NH. The 509th is still an active b-2 wing at Whiteman AFB.
Look at the unit patch, then decide for yourselves.
#39
06-13-2011, 03:41 AM
Tourer
During the early 70s, a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer came up with a code name for the first large displacement DOHC bike. It was to be known as "New York Steak".
Well, the good old USA sure ate it up.
I think FatBoy is Willie's way at getting back at them.
Well, the good old USA sure ate it up.
I think FatBoy is Willie's way at getting back at them.
