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2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle is considered a legend in the modern world. This bike became incredibly popular after it appeared in the cult film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, because it was driven by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. But few people know how the fate of this model developed further and is it possible to acquire a “legend” today?
The history of the appearance of the model
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy belongs to the Softail series, which has been in production since 1984. Initially, the manufacturer stylized this bike as a retro model, giving it a level of comfort that was modern for those times. The motorcycle was endowed with an additional shock absorber, which was hidden under the seat. Prior to the release of the legendary Fat Boy, the company released three models: the FXST in 1984, the Heritage in 1986 and the Springer in 1988. All of them were also in some demand, but they never became cult.
After the release of Terminator 2, motorcycle sales skyrocketed. Buyers were also interested in the previous models, because they cost much less. It is not known for certain whether Harley-Davidson specifically chose the Fat Boy for filming or whether the motorcycle was chosen by the filmmakers quite by accident. However, this advertising campaign was so successful that the shares of the American motorcycle manufacturer rose 20 times in just a year.
Design
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is at the forefront of the Softail line and can be said to represent it. The unit was endowed with a wide steering wheel, a low seating position and a large power plant. All this gives the motorcycle a special brutality and correct aggression. Also, this model was the first to receive massive rims made in the form of a Boeing B-29 bomber chassis. Later, this "highlight" was actively used by the company in the creation of subsequent motorcycles.
As for the name of the bike, there is a legend that it came from the names of two bombs dropped at the end of World War II on the Japanese Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Knowing this, it becomes clear why this particular wheel design was chosen. After all, it was the Boeing B-29 that delivered these bombs to the target.
The film featured the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy in black, but the classic model is the silver color with an abundance of chrome details. The exterior also used yellow inserts and stripes. Looking at the photos of the motorcycle it seems that it is almost completely covered with chrome, but this is not the case. Many knots are represented by bare metal.
The seat of the model is made of genuine leather, it is wide enough and has a double layout. On the left are a pair of asymmetrical exhaust pipes, popularly known as the "shotgun". A large round headlight is installed in the front part, along the edges of which you can see two turn signals, in the back - a marker and direction indicators. On the dashboard, you can see the speedometer and several indicators.
Specifications
The American unit is equipped with a movable rear subframe and a shock absorber responsible for the suspension travel. The latter is hidden from view under the seat. The wheels of the bike are equipped with disc brakes and R16 rubber.
As for the engine, the motorcycle is equipped with a classic four-contact V-Twin Evolution unit. In those days, it was revolutionary in the market and had no analogues. Its features were an air cooling system with a 45-degree camber. The engine displacement was 1337 cubic centimeters. The claimed power is 49 horsepower at 5000 rpm. The engine was paired with a 5-speed manual transmission with a multi-plate clutch. The maximum speed that the bike could develop was 150 km / h.
The volume of the gas tank was limited to 16 liters. The average gas mileage did not exceed 7 liters per 100 km in the city, and on the highway it was 5 liters at all. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy belonged to heavy motorcycles, as its weight was about 3 quintals (and this is without the filled technical fluids and all sorts of additional elements).
The cost of a motorcycle now
Despite the fact that much of the equipment involved in the film was destroyed on the set, the motorcycle on which Arnold Schwarzenegger cut through it has survived to this day. First, this model got into the Museum of Hollywood Glory, and then the bike moved to the Harley-Davidson Museum.
In 2018, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy was up for sale. The initial cost of the lot was only $ 200,000. The organizers expected to sell the motorcycle for 200,000 - 300,000 dollars, but the result exceeded all expectations. The legendary bike went under the hammer for 480 thousand dollars. Translated into Russian currency, this is about 34,800,000 rubles. This result seems even more impressive when you consider that in the 80s the model cost 10,000 dollars or 725 thousand rubles.
The exact same bike can be bought in Russia. True, Iron Arnie did not cut it on him at one time, but this in no way diminishes his merits. For a model from the 80s, a potential buyer will have to pay about 500 thousand rubles. A new motorcycle of the same series, but with improved technical characteristics and a more modern exterior, costs 1.7 million rubles.