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Yep, that's the setup -- but is that the rolling touring bag? I think you're showing the set with two bags together, and IINM the big bag in that set is not quite as big as the rolling bag.
Here's my bike as I picked it up from the dealer, with its brand-new S&S Grand nationals installed. They got most of the mud off, so I thought I'd take a picture while it was presentable.
Y'know, I just saw the pic below, and it's striking to me. When I was looking to get back into motorcycling after a 20+ year break, I went Harley shopping in 2015, and I was mesmerized by the V-Rod Night Rod. Just gorgeous. But, I didn't "fit" it -- I'm too short, and my legs were too short, I couldn't practically control it. Plus the reviews were iffy, they said that if you wanted to go from stoplight to stoplight it was great, but for any other purpose it wasn't ideal. So I passed, and picked up a $4,500 Street 750 instead. Which I outgrew in a couple of months, but held onto for a couple of years.
Then Harley canceled the V-Rod.
I read the reviews on the Fat Bob, and they were stellar. Great handling, nimble, athletic, comfortable, all that. Wasn't the kind of bike I was looking for, necessarily, but once I saw it I couldn't look away. Huge back tire, huge front tire, sassy 2-1-2 exhaust, great tight bucket seat, and a huge V-Twin on display. So yeah, I bought it. And I frickin' love everything about it.
Stumbled across this picture last night, of the V-Rod Night Rod. I'd say it bears a bit of a resemblance to the new Fat Bob, so I photoshopped them together.
Not exactly the same, especially related to the gas tank, but certainly a strong family resemblance, and where they differ (like the front tire and the exhaust color) I actually prefer the Fat Bob's styling choices.
I just think it's funny that I ended up getting a bike that looked very much like what I wanted... the subconscious must have told me that this was the bike I should get, better even than that V-Rod...
You're right, that is the touring luggage system. Both bags together were only $40 more than rolling bag. Expanded it's actually wider than rolling bag & only 100cu." less cap. I like your black mufflers, Fat bob 2018 plus your v- rod pic interesting. Waiting to see if & when cat-less headers w/stock look become available before I do mine. I had a well-built '02 FXST for 15yrs. & honestly this bike stock is just so much better in every way, and I was fiercely loyal to my old one. 73K when I traded it Sept. 13th. 1900 on new one & missing riding badly already & just first day of winter!
I didn't plan on any purely cosmetic upgrades to the Fat Bob, but there's one element to it that just stands out like a sore thumb.
Whenever I see this side of the bike, my mind lurches back to Sesame Street's "One of these things just doesn't belong..."
Right in the middle of the bike, there's a gigantic piece of chrome. There's practically no chrome anywhere on the bike at all, but that one huge piece. And on the 107, it's even more blatant, as it's a plain disc; at least on the 114 it has a faint "114" edged in it so there's something to it.
But it's gotta go.
As we all know, there are approximately 600,000,000 different derby covers available, but I wanted something that would accentuate the "Mad Max" vibe of the bike, and hopefully tie the two sides of the bike together visually. I originally thought about the Harley "Brass Collection" derby cover; it's quite an attractive piece but the one I examined at the dealer was just too dark and didn't match the exhaust pipe at all. But after thinking about it, I eventually broke down and ordered it, and went to work with a little "Barkeeper's Friend" to scrub it up and brighten it up. Here's the result:
I love it love it love it, it's just about perfect. The color matches the exhaust nicely, and I love the steampunk style and the vintage/heritage attitude it brings.
I also added a Willie & Max 59776-00 swingarm bag for hauling various stuff around.
And if anyone has a 107 and they're going Stage III, and would want a standard "114" derby cover, hit me up with a PM; I'll keep the old one on hand for a few weeks in case anyone wants it so it doesn't end up in a landfill.
Last edited by FatBob2018; Dec 27, 2017 at 04:07 PM.
Does anyone know if the old TC103 Derby Covers fit the new bikes? I have an engraved one that I kept from my old bike. I offered it up and it looks like the bolt holes are the same spacing, but I don't know if they are 100% the same and if the old flat disk gaskets work on the new bikes.
I should really just pull the OEM off and see, but it's cold in the garage!
I don't know if a TC103 cover would fit or not. Regarding the gasket, it depends on the cover. The stock 114 cover uses a thin red gasket, like the one pictured in this kit. The Brass Collection cover uses the flat disc gasket.
I don't know if a TC103 cover would fit or not. Regarding the gasket, it depends on the cover. The stock 114 cover uses a thin red gasket, like the one pictured in this kit. The Brass Collection cover uses the flat disc gasket.
On my TC, the stock Derby used a red rubber o-ring gasket, but all the aftermarket ones (and HD ones) seem to use the flat disc. So it looks like it should fit.....at least i got one part transferred from my 2014 to my 2018 then! :-)
Got my license plate today. Decided that the single element I dislike the most on the whole bike is that silly side license plate holder. Sure wish they'd come out with a minimalist bracket to mount it under the taillight.
Until then, I did what it looks like a lot of guys do, and swapped it to be vertical. After getting rid of the dealer's license plate frame, that really cut down on the bulk, and setting it vertically, it's not too annoying anymore. It still sticks out more than I'd like, but I'm not constantly walking into it every time I walk past the bike.
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