A bike can always be longer, lower and leaner, or, come to think about it, shorter, higher and fatter, depending on your personal preference. It can always be tweaked a little bit more, improved in someway either through the cosmetics or the performance. I'm sure that for most people reading this magazine, what I'm saying will ring true to a greater or lesser extent

And so it was for Grant Shorland, the owner of this utterly gorgeous Fat Boy custom. One day there he was riding around on a perfectly fine 2001 Twin Cam Fat Boy when he started thinking that the whole ensemble would benefit from more rubber filling the space underneath the rear mudguard. It's funny where such thoughts can lead, as we all know. Grant's thoughts prompted him into taking a trip to see Kirk Herbert, who was then stationed at the now defunct Big Rock Harley-Davidson. Kirk and his partner Kev French talked through the various options for the back end of the Fat Boy, from a 150 rim right up to the just released 250 x 18. Between them they decided that a 230 x 15 would be more in keeping with the Fat Boy's styling, and so a deal was struck, Kev sharpened up his magic hacksaw, the Fat Boy was wheeled into the workshop and the transformation began.

With the standard back end of the Fat Boy removed, a Zodiac swingarm was persuaded into position, and aforementioned 230 rim and tyre fitted. Grant came to the Big Rock workshop, and to say that seeing the bike in its pure, stripped down form with all that rubber exposed at the back end got Grant inspired is a bit of an understatement. Grant started talking to Kev about changing the rear mudguard, making the tank longer, a lower seat. And how about a smarter front wheel to compliment the new back one? And neater, wider yokes? And what about some engine work while the bike's off the road for a while? And, and …

You've guessed it, a full custom project ensued, the design brief being to create a bike capable of being shown, but practical enough to ride the tyres off it. In short, a bike with drop dead gorgeous good looks, and awesome performance to match. Kev set to and modified a Metapol rear mudguard to suit the bike's new rear end. He stretched the standard tank and removed all the unnecessary brackets from the frame, neatening up the whole ensemble a treat. Once Kev had got the bodywork ready, Grant designed himself a paint scheme and entrusted the work to the capable and talented hands of John Spurgeon - the results of which speak for themselves, a truly stunning piece of work.

The engine received a big bore kit, which took the capacity out to a healthy 1550cc, Screaming Eagle heads were added, and two 42mm Mikuni carbs sit side-by-side on an Edelbrock manifold, which not only look trick but ensure that the motor will never suffer from fuel starvation. Arlen Ness outer cases help to dress the motor, their smooth polished surfaces making a nice change from overly ornate items that can be seen on many a custom bike. Shaped billet grips were also added, as were those super wide beach bars.

All the cycle parts necessary for the build were acquired over the winter, careful selection of which has resulted in a very cohesive bike. The frame, tank and mudguards arrived back from the painters in the spring, meaning lots of late nights for Kev throughout the summer, trying to get the bike finished and on the road while there was still some decent riding weather left. The bike finally hit the road before the season turned for the worse, although wasn't a hundred percent finished at this point. Still, it was up and running and Grant had great fun blasting about on his customised Harley-Davidson, his dream, for the meantime, partially realised.

During the following winter Kev relocated to Sycamore Harley-Davidson in Uppingham, and so Grant, having been more than pleased with Kev's handiwork in the past, took the Harley there for some final changes after some fine winter's riding. The work included a new seat and a thorough tidy, resulting in the splendid customised machine you see before you.

Remember I told you that Grant wished to own a bike capable of being shown? Well, as well as winning awards at several smaller shows throughout last summer, he entered the Harley in the 2003 Rock & Blues Custom Show, where the bike achieved an extremely credible Runner-Up Best Harley. Even though this bike was never built purely as a trophy hunter, the accolade of a major custom show award is a nice recognition for all the hard work that went into the build. In summary, Grant has a highly individual bike that looks great, rides well, and he loves it to bits. Which, really, is all that actually matters.