Why would you take a Harley Softail Slim FLS model – whose factory design is to merge the minimalistic 1940’s bobber styling with up-to-date old school fat elements – to turn it into a slimmer version? The reason(s) hiding behind a customizing direction can be very mysterious. At least, the builder in charge of the project will tell you: “because it’s the way I will like it better…”
Since its origin, the FL series has never been synonymous with slim. A high capacity gas tank, 16” wheels and a low and compact Bobber stance is more on the fat side. When Harley launched the FLS Softail Slim, the word “slim” meant a much more naked look than in the 40’s and 50’s. But not necessarily a slimmer profiled bike. When Custom Chrome Europe commissioned Andreas Bergerforth at Thunderbike Germany to build a new “bolt-on and ride” Harley Slim, the crew challenge was to preserve the unmistakable old-iron look but in a much lighter package than the one proposed by the factory.
How was it done using only bolt-on parts offered by CCE? First by getting rid of the pair of 16 x 3”wheels on the factory model and replacing them by a set of 23 x 3.5” front and 18 x 4.5” rear Rev Tech 8-spoke wheels (Velocity model) wrapped in white wall Vee Rubber 130/50-23 front and white wall 150/60-18 rear tires. To come back to the low factory Bobber stance, front end internal springs were replaced by a Progressive 2” lowering kit with the factory Softail shocks receiving a 2” lowering kit from Muller Motorcycles. The result of simultaneously fitting taller wheels while lowering the frame to the ground is a much thinner looking bike without betraying the Bobber look.
Regarding body work the factory rear end had to look narrower than stock although the new fitted rear wheel is 1.5” wider (and 2” higher.) It was accomplished in working a new very short rear fender out of the CCE Tombstone model. With struts being now inside the fender, profile and rear views seem lighter. Small LED turn signals are almost unnoticeable but strong enough to do their job at signaling a direction change. In the front a RSD fork brace replaces the factory fender and eliminates front fork flex. Gas tank is a reworked version of the popular Cole Foster model with EFI fuel pump under the belly.
The 103” Harley engine, tranny and driveline were kept working in stock configuration, except the use of a Performance Machine (Contour Model) narrow 2” open belt primary system. For custom accents, the PM “Drive” Collection of covers are used on cam and transmission while the stock air cleaner was replaced by the PM “Super Gas” model. Among the large collection of exhausts offered by Austrian BSL, Thunderbike chose the “Top Chop Staggered” set. Keeping to the low look a TB seat was chosen and the Santee “Drag Bar” were installed very low on the short Biltwell “Slimline” risers. Built by Thunderbike Germany. (photography @Horst Roesler for Cyril Huze)
Hugely improved Harley. Well done.
Love the paint. Think it needs an abbreviated front fender to match the rear one, though.
Like the overall stance, the low bars and the paint scrolling.
Love a slim lady on a slim bike.
Hi Cyril,
thanks for your nice article. Got some more pics linked here.
Hope you already got your copy of the Custombook 4.
Cheers,
Martin
Very nice! Would like to experience the ride on this slender softy…
Great for bolt-on ONLY (if indeed so – noted the”?”).
Nit-picking a bit – personally I would have liked wider bars and a slightly larger dia headlight (that said – these things are often better appreciate in the flesh; much like the fairer elements on display above).
PS – the “mirrors” made me giggle…
Whats the total weight on this PIG???
They should have weighed it stock and then weighed it again to go with the SLIM theme
what a tease. It’s not every day someone take a Slim. Adds drag bars and taller wheels yaou know.
Wished you coulda added a few more pics at least.
Still, thanks for the tease.
Damn Fine Lookin’ Ride !!!
(oh, and the Bike is nice too !!!!)
I nice job with “bolt-ons” !!!
I wonder ????
(No, I will not say it !!!)
BWHAHAHAH !!!!
Please do this to a Dyna!!! PLEASE!
Good point, Sigfreed, a smaller headlamp usually makes the bike’s front end look more massive, not slimmer. An 8″ would very possibly make the front of the tank and trees look smaller. Dyna? I don’t think that rear fender would look good with external shocks, it’d probably look even more like someone took a hacksaw to the fender than it does now. Flame suit on-but I bet it’d actually look slimmer with a scaled-down Willy G boattail 😉
with so many softails on the used market these projects are pretty feasible
Would look alot better with a chrome front end to match all the other chrome.
That blacked out stuff looks like a big dark blob on the front.
Slim or fat…whatever….
This is exactly what was being buitl & ridden around the East SF Bay in the later 60’s.
(!6 and 21, bobbed fender, drag bars…..)
Its a classic formula…. looks great, rides good.
I say well done.
-nicker-
Nice! Very nice!!
Like to see you beautiful work on Indian motorcycle 2016?
The way I like a custom Harley.