Moto Loco Pat goes to Iraq and leaves officially crazy

[motolocopat]

Hello All,

Well I just finished a project over in Iraq getting the last Power Plant started up that was part of the great "Reconstruction Effort".
What a depressing joke that was but that's another story.... or maybe it contributed to my ?? downfall? mental illness? temporary phase? stupidity? 

Not sure if it was one of those or just a wild hair and a feeling of patriotism!
Whatever it was since I had a DOD badge (Department of Defense) I qualified to get a decent discount on a Harley Davidson that comes with a few extras thrown in like security system. Also a little extra coin in my pockets, they do pay me well for going to shit holes, didn't hurt. I had one day to make a decision on my way out of country as I had been locked up on the Power Plant Site the entire time so as I passed through the big military base I went in and asked a few questions. About thirty minutes later and a $1000 lighter I walked out with a contract to purchase a new 2009 Harley Davidson Fat Bob.... a Pewter Silver one to be delivered to Dallas TX. Oh and I got a Really Cool "Harley Davidson - Baghdad Iraq" T-Shirt !

So after 37 years of riding motorcycles I have, or will have, my first and probably last motorcycle from the MoCo as the Harley guys refer to it. Being what I consider to be an all around Motorcycle Nut kind of guy I have admired them at time for awhile and always wanted one that I could Hot Rod up, buy lots of chrome parts for it, get a tatto, wear silly leather gear and head scarves..... Did I really just say that??

OK for those of you that have no idea what a Fat Bob is...... here is the scoop on the Fat Bob... NOT a Fat Boy.
The Fat Bob is of the "Dyna Family"...... it has the exposed rear shocks vs the "Soft-Tail Family" that looks like the rigid tail.
Dyna are generally acknowledged as being the better handling of the two.
The Fat Bob does have the steepest steering (28 degrees) of any of the models and the shortest wheelbase (63.7").
These figures are somewhere in the league of a late 70's Japanese standard.
It also has a set of 300mm dual discs up front and a rather beefy 49mm front fork. (already working on how to upgrade these)
Per its name it has some big FAT TIRES getting a lot of rubber to the road sporting a 180 rear and 13 front, both 16" diameter. The handlebar is a Flat style so no pull backs or apehangers. [moto]
I will do a few motor upgrades to get it to breath and will eventually go with a 103 cu. in. kit that should be able to produce close to 100HP/100ftlbs.  All it requires is a big-bore and can be done for about $1500.... wish I could do that on my Duc

Now I'm not kidding myself here into believing that it is going to perform anywhere near what I'm used to, BUT for what it is, it is supposedly the best handling of their big bikes (non Sportsters). The design for it has roots in the European Market where they are a bit pickier about a motorcycle actually being able to stop and go around curves at least reasonably well.
Don't believe I will keep any competent sport rider in sight should be able to keep up with your average squid.

Anyway I will now have three very distinct bikes and all sort of "Different" but all V-Twins... The 06 S2R1000 Monster, the 04 KTM 950 Adventure and the 09 Harley Fat Bob.

OH yeah most important I went with the Forward mount controls instead of the mid-mount one!

Head out on the Highway.......... Looking for Adventure.........

Here's a video
2008 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob

Some photos of a "FAT BOB"






Let me know what you think.... Am I nuts, does the bike blow or is it

[swampduc]

Dude, first off, here's to you coming back safe and sound.
For all the bagging lots of do on HD's, that's a pretty damn cool and diverse lineup of moto's you're going to have. They're all gonna be fun, in their own distinct ways. Nothing wrong with trying an HD; keep us up to date with how you like it.
And BTW, it's pretty damn good-looking (for and HD  )

[Howie]

Welcome back and Congrats on the new ride

[The Don]

Firstly id like to say well done in getting home in one piece.
Well done on your new bike, not my cup of tea but each to their own

[Jtree007]

Welcome back,  and nice new ride... Looks good... nice cruiser...  Got to post some pictures when it gets delivered.

[hypurone]

Well I guess this "craziness" is going around. Or, you brought it back with you and are infecting the rest of us! 
I am going to be taking a test ride this Saturday on the new V-Rod Muscle:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/harley-davidson/2009-harleydavidson-vrscf-vrod-muscle-review-86658.html

If it can get close to what my Mean Streak can do in the handling & braking departments, I may end up buying it. Cuz i just loves me the HP (120hp/85ft lb) and I can always upgrade the suspension/exhaust on the V-Rod...

Congrats on your venture to the dark side...

[El Matador]

Welcome back dude!

I was thinking of contacting you the other day as I got the bug for a cross-continental trip. I'm planning a Texas-Ushuaia for my graduation.

Nice ride btw!

[factorPlayer]

How much for the KTM?

[DoubleEagle]

Welcome back , I was wondering what happened to you. I thought you might have not known about this new site when TOB became deserted.

By the way, if you need some HD , 100th Anniversary leather that is like new for great prices  , PM me if you can wear XL or XXL.

Jackets, Chaps ( satin lined) , Gloves, leather Skull cap, leather Winter gloves and more.    Dolph     


















Welcome back back, I was wondering

[Speedbag]

Congrats all around! 

[silentbob]

Welcome back.  Let me know when you are ready to turbo charge that thing and put some 17" wheels on it.  I did the turbo on my Road King and it was a blast.

[Speedbag]

Welcome back.  Let me know when you are ready to turbo charge that thing and put some 17" wheels on it.  I did the turbo on my Road King and it was a blast.

+1

I want to turbo my Street Rod badly. Especially after seeing one on a dyno lay down nearly 170 HP at the wheel. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Rob Hilding]

This thread must be wearing camo  - no Harley Haters (yet anyway)

Welcome back and congrats on the bike.

Them MoCo bikes sure is heavy - but ride great!


[moto] safe

[hypurone]

Looks like I won't be joining the MoCo ranks just yet. The V-rod Muscle was plenty poweerful but rode/turned like a truck! Low speed is ridiculous. The brakes were good but "heavy". Shifting/clutch was beyond notchy & heavy. blah blah blah. Oh well, didn't really feel like spending 20k anyway...

[Langanobob]

Well I just finished a project over in Iraq getting the last Power Plant started up that was part of the great "Reconstruction Effort".

Welcome back     Is there another forum or website somewhere that you post your experiences and opinions on what's been going on there recently?  It would be very interesting since most of us are stuck with the mainstream media reports.  You've been gone so may not know that the forum here has an ironclad ban on political discussion.  Unfortunate, but I understand the reasons for it.

Welcome back again.  The H-D should be a very interesting project.  Weren't you living in Bolivia or somewhere else in South America before?