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All Aboard
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2006 Harley-Davidson FXSTB Night Train
Basem Wasef
03/01/2006
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Photography by Cordero Studios/corderostudios.com
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Gear shifts are long and slow, but engagement is solid and
the ratios allow for responsive, but not blazingly fast, acceleration. A new
clutch mechanism features a 25-percent reduction in lever effort, allowing for
smoother take-offs and less fatigue. Tank mounted gauges free the triple tree of
visual clutter, and their clean look and legibility make them thematically
consistent with the bike’s silhouette. The absence of a tachometer underlines
the Night Train’s easy-going personality, allowing the rider to focus on the
engine’s audible clues to rpm and shift points rather than a numerical
representation of engine speed.
The Night Train’s ride is more comfortable
than sporting, and while suspension is soft and compliant, road irregularities
can sometimes jar the front forks. Brakes feel solid and work quite well, and,
in typical cruiser style, the rear weight bias allows for heavy activation of
the rear brakes without lockup.
While rough roads and emergency stops are an
inescapable part of the real world, this Harley-Davidson combats urban chaos
with an individualistic attitude and nostalgic modifications. Its spare lines,
mechanical simplicity, and subdued use of chrome offer a stylistic alternative
to the archetypal Softail. Free from components that might muddy the original
intention of the bike, this lightly modified Harley exemplifies the result of a
factory theme that has been tastefully extended by aftermarket work.
Through
the collaboration between its owner and Mad Dog Custom cycles, this
Harley-Davidson Night Train has become more than a carefully modulated
combination of powder coating, painting, and parts; it has become a personalized
expression of an American theme.
www.maddogcustomcruisers.com | 818.706.3641
www.h-d.com
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