Why do they call it a Fatboy ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Newcastle, OK
I just got a new rear tire on my sig bike last week, and the pressures you mentioned are correct as stated by the tire man.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Tennessee
They were trying to cure the problem of "involuntary" lane changes in cross winds.
Me and one of my brothers that had a Fat Boy were up on Altamont Pass in 2001 when a crosswind caught him off guard and the next thing he knew he was 3 lanes over.
That was a huge problem with those solid wheels...I have no idea if the "bullet holes" helped or not because no one I run with has a bike with those wheels on it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2014
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From: x
Well, although the manual might call for those numbers, both of my sidewalls call for 42 lbs max cold. Harley makes the bike, not the tires, so I go with the tire manufacturer on this one and run 40-42 depending on what kind of riding I plan on doing at the time. Usually closer to 40. Makes the bike a little more nimble IMO and I don't worry the mileage for that trade-off. But that's just me.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Canada
whats in a name?
"Harley-Davidson, an American motorcycle company, has a history of paying homage to the American Armed Forces. According to Kevin Lang, parts manager at New Roc Harley-Davidson in New Rochelle, New York, and life-long Harley-Davidson enthusiast, the company named the Fat Boy after Little Boy and Fat Man, the two atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively."
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
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From: Ponchatoula, LA
36 (front), 40 (rear), 7 (days between checks) has been a standard in motorcycling since at least the 70's. I believe there was even a Clement Salvadori column in the old American Rider magazine titled 36, 40, 7 ( at least I think it was Clement and American Rider, it's been at least 20 years).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Florida
Well, although the manual might call for those numbers, both of my sidewalls call for 42 lbs max cold. Harley makes the bike, not the tires, so I go with the tire manufacturer on this one and run 40-42 depending on what kind of riding I plan on doing at the time. Usually closer to 40. Makes the bike a little more nimble IMO and I don't worry the mileage for that trade-off. But that's just me.
36/38 for solo riding and 38/40 for two up is what my manual states and what I adhere to. To date I've yet to see any Harley that requires higher pressure.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2014
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From: x
Harley doesn't make the tires but it has implemented them on its motorcycles long enough to know what is the best common denominator when it comes to running pressure. Are you seriously suggesting that Harley Davidson didn't notice the same tire pressure numbers on the tire's sidewall that you did? Or that they did notice it and decided to just arbitrarily write some other tire pressure values in their service manuals, leading everyone else but you to run the wrong pressure? Maybe you're just smarter than both HD and the rest of us? There's a number like you on these forums. Makes for fun reading!
36/38 for solo riding and 38/40 for two up is what my manual states and what I adhere to. To date I've yet to see any Harley that requires higher pressure.
36/38 for solo riding and 38/40 for two up is what my manual states and what I adhere to. To date I've yet to see any Harley that requires higher pressure.
