1997 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy

The 1997 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy upheld the design principles that made the original 1990 Fat Boy a hit, with one significant update.

Motorcycle Image Gallery

Launched in 1990, the Fat Boy quickly rose to become one of Harley-Davidson's most beloved models.

In the following decade, some customers faced waiting lists of up to two years for the machines.

The original Fat Boy was available in one color — gray. The fenders, fuel tank, oil tank, and even the frame were all finished in this shade, with delicate yellow trim accentuating the valve covers, ignition switch, primary-cover inspection plate, timing cover, and the winged tank emblem.

One of the most striking features of the Fat Boy's design was its 16-inch solid wheels, which were used on both the front and rear. To this day, it remains the only model with this distinctive feature.

The Fat Boy was built on the Softail frame, which cleverly concealed its shock absorbers beneath the engine. Its power came from the 80-cubic-inch Evolution V-twin, introduced six years prior, and like all Harleys, it utilized a belt drive.

After 1990, Fat Boys were offered in various color options, including two-tone schemes — though gray was never again available. Otherwise, the design remained largely unchanged until the introduction of a redesigned model featuring Harley's new Twin Cam 88 V-twin in 2000.

Despite the minor updates, the company wisely chose not to alter the formula, making the 1997 Fat Boy almost identical to the original.

Except for the absence of that gray paint....

Turn to the next page to view additional images of the 1997 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy motorcycle.

For more fantastic motorcycle articles and images, explore:

1997 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy Photos

The 1997 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy was nearly identical to the original 1990 version, especially in its design and the use of solid wheels.

For more amazing motorcycle articles and images, explore: