Along The Road: 2001 Fat Boy

Don Wing’s Harley-Davidson Fat Boy looks old. He’s fond of its old-school appearance and frequently has to correct admirers who think that his motorcycle is a vintage machine. “I get that a lot,” he said, noting that the tip-off that it’s much younger can be found under the seat. “Look at the motor,” he said.

What Wing rides is a 2001 Fat Boy, which he estimates has 65,000 miles on the odometer. It’s satin black in color, has red rims, wide white-wall tires and a red, white and black seat. The paint job was done by students at Oliver Wolcott Technical School in Torrington, CT, while Cote’s Auto Upholstery in Waterbury, CT crafted the saddle.

RIDE-CT & Ride-NewEngland spotted the Fat Boy parked among some furniture ouside of ReMade in USA, the shop that Wing and his wife Heather own. It’s been located in the center of Harwinton, CT for nearly three years, but they’ve found new space in Thomaston, CT and are moving the business there. Makes sense. It’s the town where they live.

Parked as it was, the impression was that the Fat Boy was for sale. “I just parked it there because it was out of the way,” said Wing. “People think I’m selling it. Every day I’m here I get that.”

Not only does Wing ride a bike that looks old, he also has a 2002 PT Cruiser that he’s done in the same color scheme. “I like the old rat-rod look. That’s my style,” he said.

Presumably in ReMade in USA’s new location the Fat Boy will no longer be mistaken as an item that’s for sale. The business re-purposes old items and the Wings needed a larger spot for their goods than the Harwinton location provided. “We outgrew it the first year we were here,” Wing said.