kay, so maybe you won’t be getting a whole lot of parts delivered in a side-hack, and definitely not one this cool. What you will get, though, is a little more business and a lot more fun. The new Drag Specialties sidecar-rig, hand-built by Don Hotop, is a traffic builder and traffic stopper of the first order. This little beauty will be spreading the word everywhere, too. It’s on the cover of the 2005 FatBook, it’s the star of magazine ads all over the newsstands and of course it’ll be on tour, showcased at runs and rallys all across the country.
     “And you couldn’t grab someone’s attention any faster than you could by showing them this,” says the man who built it. Don Hotop knows of what he speaks. His own sidecar-rig, almost a duplicate of this one, makes all those long bikes, fat-tire bikes, choppers and bobbers fade into the background. “People will be 20 deep to get a look,” he says, “and the whole thing is all about fun. It’s a chick magnet, too!” (With the added bonus of actually having somewhere to put those lovelies once they’re drawn in!)
     About a year ago the guys at Drag saw that rig of Don’s and immediately realized they needed one for themselves. Here it is, and there just isn’t a better crowd builder on Earth. Talk about getting the Drag Specialties name out! And since this wouldn’t be a traditional FatBook build – this Arlen Ness antique-style frame and sidecar bucket, for instance, isn’t even in the FatBook – there was no big rush. Don got to spend about eight months building, and the wait was worth it.

The Carriage Works, GMA, Drag Specialties, Metzeler wheel and brake package is essentially repeated front and rear.	The final drive is through the great-looking Carriage Works 61T Neptune Rear Pulley.

     Now, there are plenty of Drag Specialties goodies included, make no mistake there. Run down the accompanying build sheet for the full scoop on the parts Don chose. How about that fully polished 100-inch S&S motor with a Baker trans? That’ll deliver the goods. When you get the chance run your eyes over this one carefully, top to bottom. Take special note of the details, the incredible way Don’s blended, tweaked and incorporated those FatBook parts into something special. Don Hotop, the acknowledged master of detailing, outdid himself. This is one ride you’ll want to spend some time with. Get right down on your hands and knees and inspect the workmanship. It’s amazing.

The engine in your Grandfather’s Harley of the 1920s put
out 15 horsepower. This 100-cubic inch S&S XL powerplant
puts out a whole bunch more.

     That trio of skinny little 21-inch wheels is just the start of the smiles, too. The whole bike has the unmistakable look of an old-time board track racer. Definitely antique. Ever the joker, Don says those wheels went on when the guys in the shop told him to build a big-tire bike, “But when they saw this they said, ‘No, we meant wide, not tall!’” Right. Getting serious, Don made that great-looking gas tank himself, and if it looks authentic that’s because it is. It was formed off an original Harley-Davidson tank from the ‘teens. Don’s version is one-piece instead of the original bolt-together Harley-Davidson tanks. Arlen now includes it as part of the package. But don’t you dare call any of this “Old School,” at least not when Don’s around. “When I hear that term I want to hit someone in the head,” he says. “You calling me old? Old school my butt, that’s just the way it was!”
     And this brand-new Drag Specialties sidecar-rig is the way it is. Gleaming in its Gary Barnes-applied Sunrise Pearl Yellow, accented with plenty of chrome and polish and Mike Robbins’ gold leaf and lettering and with all that beautiful upholstery by Drag Specialties’ own Kevin Lehan, the fun is about to begin. Get in line fast, though. You won’t be alone in wanting a close look at this one.

Kevin Lehan of LeMans seats did the matching upholstery for the rider and passenger seats.	Here’s a great wheel package: a Carriage Works Neptune brake rotor, GMA 4-piston brake caliper mounted to a Drag Specialties wheel and 21-inch Metzeler ME880 tire.	The rider’s right hand works with a Performance Machine Master Cylinder and grips, an Arlen Ness Single Cable Throttle Housing and Drag Specialties Braided Throttle Cable.
The Drag FatBook cover bike looks very much like an original Harley-Davidson “Delivery” sidecar of the 1920s. Three 21-inch wheels help give it the look.
A nice way to tuck the license plate out of the way. One way to achieve the desired “vintage” look is with the Paughco Narrow Springer Front Fork. From the saddle, you might be lulled into thinking this was an 80-year-old machine until you looked down and saw the potent S&S 100-inch engine. The Drag Specialties Electronic Mini Speedometer mounted to the gas tank just like the “Factory” did back in the day. Speedos were cable-mounted in those days though.