Thunderbike Simple Slim • Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Custom

We continue traditions

We cherish the Twin Cam. If you’re looking for an authentic bobber style, we can do that too! The rest of the world is moving fast. We carry on traditions and never forget our roots. The FLS Softail Slim enriched the Harley-Davidson model range towards the end of the twin-cam era. With its 103cc Big Twin engine, it was a good introduction to the big league. It’s puristic, without a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s still very much a rolling quote in classic lines.

It was unmistakably recognisable as a Harley, in this case in the style of the bobbers from the 1950s, complete with the typical 16-inch balloon tyres, wide fork and rounded headlight of the time.

There wasn’t much to it; even the seat was solo. This meant that the price was relatively low. Of course, it wasn’t just a starter bike; it often became the basis for subsequent customizing.

This is where we come in!

That’s where we come in. Harley-Davidson had already fitted the Slim with a rear fender that could be interpreted as a bobber tail. It looked as though it had been cut off, like a dog’s tail, and it was precisely this stylistic element that had given the bobber its name. However, the fender was mounted high up on sturdy struts above a 16-inch wheel that appeared to disappear into thin air.

You can do better than that today. And, of course, we have the perfect solution. The Simple Slim is not the first Harley we have fitted with a swinging rear fender. It sits close to the rear wheel at a consistent distance, giving a motorcycle that rigid frame look which defines a bobber. With the Flying Bob, we now have a rear fender that bikers can easily screw on themselves.

This is what a clean rear looks like. The swinging rear fender gives the rigid frame a great look.

Our side licence plate holder is compatible with an Inside licence plate. This means the conversion does not disappear behind a cake plate.

However, in the case of the Simple Slim, we opted for custom work once again. As well as the fender, the customer wanted 180 mm tyres at the rear and an extravagant strut guide. We also recommended a new licence plate holder to ensure the new rear design wouldn’t disappear behind a cake plate. We also recommended a swinging saddle in front of the fender, which was necessary for such a conversion anyway.

An 180 tyre on a 5.5-inch rim replaces a factory-fitted wheel that is too small.

A swing saddle and an extravagant strut guide. We bring it all together.

Our stripe indicators are barely visible under the fittings

A high-quality Custom

For us, converting a bike is a labour of love, and it’s a job we’re still passionate about. The result speaks for itself: Our side licence plate holder, the Inside license plate and swinging saddle from Spirit Leather, which continues into a leather tank half cover, complete the overall work of art. The tiny Atto tail lights disappear without disturbing the line. The disproportionately small wheel under the large rear fender has been replaced with a 180 mm Pelle on a 5.5-inch-wide rim.

Our stripe indicators are barely visible when the fittings are in place.

The Recall front fender is made of GRP. It saves weight while maintaining the iron look.

Our Montana rear-view mirrors have a classic, clean design.

We also made the front turn signals disappear with our stripe LED turn signal, of course. Together with the Montana mirrors, this gives the front end a historical touch, continued by our GRP fender Recall over the whitewall tyres. Our new custom ignition and clutch covers, along with our Grand Classic power filter in bicolour, provide the necessary nuances. The Jekill and Hyde silencers deliver a sound that is always legal.

Clear airways are guaranteed by the Grand Classic power filter.

The new custom cover is the final touch that is needed on the sugar loaf.

The paintwork is by Kruse Design. Half a century ago, nobody could achieve anything like this.

Unforgotten history

Finally, let’s not forget the intricate paintwork by Kruse Design. It’s not historic because nobody could have done that half a century ago. However, it pays homage to the history that we mustn’t forget.