Photo: Thunderbike
Generally speaking, gold hues used on any kind of vehicle don't really get my blood pumping. In fact, they have the exact opposite effect because gold, despite its value and what it means for so many people, is to me the definition of bling.
So you'll understand why the first time I heard about a motorcycle called in modified form Golden Lord I had my doubts. Especially given how the ride started its life as a perfectly fine and beautiful Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. But then, as soon as I laid my eyes on it, all my doubts were quickly washed away: this is, after all, a custom build that doesn't get ruined by the use of gold hues.
The two-wheeler is the work of German custom shop Thunderbike, and it has been designed to be ridden by "fine gentlemen" who like gold, but don't really enjoy "flaunting bling-bling."
To achieve a balance between the color's attributes and the effect Thunderbike wanted to achieve, the shop used a gold paint called Koch, one that has a matt surface powerful enough to eliminate its innate shine while keeping the powerful tone.
The Koch gold is coincidentally the same kind of paint we saw not long ago on a modified Low Rider ST called the Glatzzomobil. For the Fat Boy application, it was abundantly used on the custom wheels, some of the covers pulled over various components, and of course to spell out the Harley-Davidson name on the fuel tank.
But the paint job would have been nothing without the proper changes made to the original Fat Boy, and the Golden Lord has plenty of those to go around.
It all starts where the motorcycle meets the ground. The original 18-inch wheels were replaced with Thunderbike pieces from the Big Speed series. They come in 23 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, and are shielded by custom fenders, made from steel at the back and fiberglass at the front.
The back fender needed to be made from a stronger material because it incorporates the turn signals and taillight which, when not in use, are virtually impossible to see. At the opposite end a riser has been installed, ending much higher than on the stock Fat Boy in custom handlebars.
The mechanical changes made to the motorcycle include the conversion to a hydraulic clutch and the installation of a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust system to go over the otherwise stock, 114ci Harley-Davidson engine.
Important to note is that the Golden Lord rides on an air suspension kit, and was fitted with a single-sided swingarm. These two elements are not only functional, but they also help the Fat Boy change its stance when desired and make it look clean and mean.
The total cost of the modified Fat Boy is not known, but we do know how much many of the extra gear installed on it is worth. As per Thunderbike, the custom bits fitted, minus the exhaust system, are worth a combined 14,300 euros ($15,600).
The two-wheeler is the work of German custom shop Thunderbike, and it has been designed to be ridden by "fine gentlemen" who like gold, but don't really enjoy "flaunting bling-bling."
To achieve a balance between the color's attributes and the effect Thunderbike wanted to achieve, the shop used a gold paint called Koch, one that has a matt surface powerful enough to eliminate its innate shine while keeping the powerful tone.
The Koch gold is coincidentally the same kind of paint we saw not long ago on a modified Low Rider ST called the Glatzzomobil. For the Fat Boy application, it was abundantly used on the custom wheels, some of the covers pulled over various components, and of course to spell out the Harley-Davidson name on the fuel tank.
But the paint job would have been nothing without the proper changes made to the original Fat Boy, and the Golden Lord has plenty of those to go around.
It all starts where the motorcycle meets the ground. The original 18-inch wheels were replaced with Thunderbike pieces from the Big Speed series. They come in 23 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, and are shielded by custom fenders, made from steel at the back and fiberglass at the front.
The back fender needed to be made from a stronger material because it incorporates the turn signals and taillight which, when not in use, are virtually impossible to see. At the opposite end a riser has been installed, ending much higher than on the stock Fat Boy in custom handlebars.
The mechanical changes made to the motorcycle include the conversion to a hydraulic clutch and the installation of a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust system to go over the otherwise stock, 114ci Harley-Davidson engine.
Important to note is that the Golden Lord rides on an air suspension kit, and was fitted with a single-sided swingarm. These two elements are not only functional, but they also help the Fat Boy change its stance when desired and make it look clean and mean.
The total cost of the modified Fat Boy is not known, but we do know how much many of the extra gear installed on it is worth. As per Thunderbike, the custom bits fitted, minus the exhaust system, are worth a combined 14,300 euros ($15,600).
Google News