H-D Super Glide Fat Bob®

History Page

1960 Harley-Davidson FLHF Duo Glide

For me, it all started in the 60's when a friend said he was going to buy a Harley as soon as he was 18 years old. By that time I had no idea what a Harley looked like. But when he visited me a couple of years later to show me his 750cc H-D Liberator from 1945, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted a Harley too.

1945 Harley-Davidson WLD "Liberator"

In 1978 I was living on my own. I had a job (money!) and an appartment in Amsterdam. The first years I spent exploring the city and in 1982 I got my motorcycle driving licence. The Harley feeling was still there, it had even increased. Although Amsterdam is not the most perfect place for a motorcycle, I decided to buy a Super Glide in 1985. Finally, after 20 years I owned a Harley! Okay, it took some time, but it was worth waiting for. And you buy a Harley only once, because it will last for the rest of your life! Like most Harley riders it did not take long before I started making some modifications to my bike. After the first miles I removed the turn signal lamps. But that was only the beginning... When I moved to a house with a garden and a small shed in 1987, it was time for more serious tinkering! Harley-Davidson owners are known for spending more time working on their bike than actually riding it. If you want to get an impression of how I managed to get over 84.000 kilometers on my speedometer take a look at my Rally page.