2018 Harley Fat Bob Custom from Rough Crafts
Rough Crafts' FXFB Softail is a cool murdered-out custom Harley Fat Bob.
Dark Reputation
If Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler in The Wild One (1953) could upgrade his ride, he would probably pick this 2018 FXFB from Rough Crafts. Under the direction of Winston Yeh, Rough Crafts has developed a reputation for producing blacked-out contemporary-looking customs. Without exception, Rough Crafts' latest build is a twenty-first-century bobber on the rebellious side.
Photos courtesy of BIKE EXIF.
Studied DNA
Dubbed 'Mighty Guerrilla' as in revolutionary force, not the knuckle-dragging primate, the Softail shares DNA with Yeh's custom-debut XL build — the award-winning 2010 'Iron Guerilla.' before starting Rough Crafts, Yeh studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, worked with Roland Sands, and at Performance Machine.
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Power Look
Sticking to the 'bad boy' image, Yeh treated the 107 Milwaukee-Eight to a Stage 1 upgrade and some accessories — all in black of course. Air filtration is via an Arlen Ness Big Sucker intake capped with a Rough Crafts Black Anodized Air Filter plate. Cosmetic touches include new rocker box covers from Arlen Ness and a set of custom push rod collars from 2 Abnormal Sides.
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Exhausting Collaboration
Rounding out the Stage 1 upgrade is an Italian-made SC Project muffler with in-house fabricated headers. With parts merchandise in mind, Yeh actually built two exhaust systems — one for the FXFB and one to send back to SC Project as a prototype for future production. Ensuring a uniform black appearance, Yeh finished all the covers in black, along with designing a new derby and timing cover.
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Modified Tank
A Sportster gas tank was massaged to fit the FXFB. Retaining the stock mounting points, the tank was lengthened, narrowed, and scalloped. A Rough Crafts fuel cap seals the deal, and the company crest stakes a claim on the Fat Bob’s make-over. As with all Rough Crafts builds, the flat black paint and gloss black pinstriping was applied by Jeffrey Chang at Air Runner Custom Paint.
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Custom Connection
All the controls received extra attention to detail. The handlebars are Rough Crafts Fighter bars with Arlen Ness grips. The levers are from Rebuffini, along with the switches that integrate perfectly with the stock wiring. The foot controls were swapped to IMS Pro pegs and the front brakes were upgraded with Arlen Ness calipers and Performance Machine rotors. The instrument gauge is stock with a one-off ribbed cover.
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Now in 3D
The seat pan and fender were produced with next-level technology. As a new fabrication method in the custom bike-building scene, the parts were initially digitally modeled and then 3D printed. The printed parts became molds for the final fiberglass pieces. The new seat pan and fender bolt directly to the Fat Bob’s rear strut mounts. The solo seat was specifically handcrafted for the build.
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Solid Style
A rebel at heart, Yeh did away with most of the 2018 Fat Bob's distinct styling. Gone is the oblong headlight and in its place is a signature Rough Crafts headlight grille fitted over the LED internals of a Street Bob's headlight. The suspension was 'slammed' and Performance Machine Riviera 'Black Ops' rims were clad in chunky Coker Beck Blackwalls to get that classic bobber stance and look.
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Adopted Custom
Winston Yeh said that he “fell in love with the new Softail platform...the frame makes it easy for customizers.” While custom builds are not for everyone, it is good to see the latest Motor Company offerings being adopted so quickly. Let us hope that this newest Harley-Davidson 'rebellion' will last as long as the last one — a hundred and fifteen years.
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