When the all-new 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail platform was revealed a few months back it caused a division within the H-D faithful. On one side were riders and bike builders excited with the new technology and high-performance features. Also it was a blank canvas for creating something completely new. On the other side were the Dyna model aficionados upset that their beloved platform was being shelved for a dang Softail. Even though the new Softail chassis is nothing like the old one, they weren’t having any of it. Also noted was that they thought the new models could never look as cool as the Dynas.

Enter a man who is not afraid to conquer something new or never been done. Mark Atkins, a.k.a. Rusty Butcher, has jumped over freeway on-ramps on his Harley, built choppers and a plethora of Hooligan racebikes, won tons of flat-track races, started his own clothing company from nothing, organized and run flat-track races, and started a motorcycle parts company after he was unhappy with stuff he kept breaking. Mark has always been one to go against the grain and start his own trends that others later join in on. Evidence is a cult-like following of his Rusty Butcher brand, which is much more than just some products—it’s a way of living life to the fullest.

Almost instantly upon receiving his 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob, Mark began tearing into it and giving it a makeover that he had envisioned before he even got the bike. Mark wanted to prove that the new platform could be “cool” and live up to his style of riding. Which is wheelies, burnouts, drifting, and curb jumps on the daily, even when just riding to the local taco joint.

What Mr. Rusty Butcher came up with after his customizing is something that both the forward-thinking H-D enthusiast and the Dyna fanboys can both dig on. It will definitely open eyes as to what can be done to the new Softail platform and will be just the beginning of customizing these models. As usual Rusty Butcher has blazed a trail.

Mark Atkins of Rusty Butcher is one of the first to customize the new Softail platform.

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Mark doing Rusty Butcher things.

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Clean and stylish bike builds are the norm for Rusty Butcher.

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Two Brothers Racing Comp-S 2-into-1 Stainless Steel Exhaust system

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S&S Cycle intake

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ODC forks and Hard Case Performance 14-inch rotors

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Hard Case Performance risers and Rusty Butcher Hard Parts handlebars

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The Rusty Butcher touch on the Fat Bob’s tank

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Saddlemen Step-Up seat

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Mark Atkins, a.k.a. Rusty Butcher

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Peace!

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The clean-looking drive side

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