Menacing Fat Boy Custom Based on ‘Hellhound’
Thunderbike comes out with another superb take on the iconic Harley Davidson cruiser.
The custom motorcycle shop Thunderbike started business as a Suzuki dealership in 1985 in a small German town, and then branched out into customizing sport bikes.
They eventually turned their creative efforts toward Harley Davidsons in 2003 and began churning out intriguing custom motorcycles, many of them stunning, like this “Black Dog,” a blacked-out Fat Boy beauty with just the right amount of red and blue flourishes.
It’s a great example of why Thunderbike has become one of the most respected and sought-after Harley customizing shops in Europe and increasingly in the US.
‘A Wild Dog Ready to Take on the Road’
“The name “Black Dog” is perfect for this bike because the black and blue paint and aggressive lines make it look like a wild dog ready to take on the road,” the builders explain on their web site.
True enough. It is a striking machine and it was built on the backs of previous Fat Boys Thunderbike has customized; They may specialize in Harley Davidsons, but the Fat Boy has obviously been a sub-specialty of theirs.
They took elements of three previous Fat Boys they customized to built this one: The Road Force 3.0, the Red Force and the Black Apple. Take a look and you can see similar styling cues in all three, though there are important differences.
‘Big Speed’ Wheels and ‘Hollywood’ handlebars
All three of those customs had ape-hangers, but for the Black Dog the Thunderbike builders opted for their “Hollywood Light” handlebars, which they like to use on their vintage bobber projects. They also used old-style risers and a steel fender.
Thunderbike makes its own fenders, as well as its own wheels, frames and other custom parts.
The milled, five-spoke aluminum “Big Speed” wheels are perhaps the most noticeable of the changes from the stock Fat Boy they were given to customize. The 23-inch front and 21-inch rear really leap out, especially with those black rims and the Metzeler ME 888 ME tires. Check out the fat, 260mm rear.
‘Bad Omen on Wheels’
The bike is powered by the Milwaukee 8 114 engine that was essentially left alone. The shorty exhaust is an electronically adjustable Dr. Jekill and Hyde, black of course, which allows the rider to switch between three different performance modes.
Another important modification was the suspension; The Black Dog can be lowered fast and easy due to its air ride system.
Almost all of the custom parts that went into and on the Fat Boy were made by Thunderbike, though the paint job, which gives the bike its distinct, menacing look, was by Kruse Design. Auto Evolution describes it as a “bad omen on wheels.”
Death, Danger and Jane Eyre
So where did the bike get that name, anyway? The owner of the bike is British, and the black dog in British lore represents death, danger and yes, bad omens.
The idea was popularized by a mention in the novel “Jane Eyre” by Emily Bronte, but its origins date back deep in Celtic and German lore. The black dog is usually a big, mean, slobbering hellhound with glowing red eyes.
Check out the glowing red eyes painted on both sides of the Black Dog gas tank.
Yes indeed: Perfect.
Photos: Thunderbike
