 he motorcycle aftermarket is a pretty amazing place. If you want it, you can get it; Bobbers to ‘Baggers, it’s all possible. Case in point: last issue’s Drag Specialties Magazine cover showcased a stripped-down little Shovelhead-powered fun machine assembled by the Shadley Brothers up in Massachusetts. Aside from just a very small handful of Shadley one-offs, that bike was a collection of parts straight from the aftermarket via the FatBook. Frame to fenders, engine to electrics, it all carried a Drag Specialties parts number. Now here comes the flipside of that coin, courtesy of Kim Suter at KC Creations.
Baggers, as we all know, are pretty darn popular now. And–you guessed it–if you have the itch for one of those saddlebag-customs you can scratch that with the FatBook, too. This issue’s Black ‘n’ Blue bagger, as you’ll see, was assembled using just about everything from the aftermarket and just about nothing from Harley-Davidson. Take a look down the parts list. A few of the little bits, maybe a bracket here or there, had to come from Harley-Davidson but for the most part everything important and everything needed was in stock at Drag Specialties. Once again it’s aftermarket all the way, frame to fenders, engine to electrics. Only this time you can add saddlebags, floorboards and a big gas tank to that list. It’s a custom bagger from scratch, and it’s right out of the FatBook.
KC Creations’ Kim Suter has made quite a name for himself building Baggers, and this KC/FatBook Bagger is one sweet ride in every sense of the term. It’s great looking, it’s comfortable, there’s plenty of pep to play with, it’s a fun ride and–in true Bagger style–it’s as dependable as the day is long. In short, it’s a custom built for the road.
It all kicked off with a Chopper Guys 200mm Bagger Frame Kit, some Russ Wernimont fenders (a 5.5 front and 8.5 rear), one of Wernimont’s fuel tanks, a set of Metzeler ME880s, a great big FL style Pro One front end, some brand-new RC Components Czar Eclipse wheels, those Sumax Standard Saddlebags, the Drag/Tuff Cycle Frame Side Panels and a full set of Joker Machine controls. Nothing’s missing there and it’s all aftermarket. Nothing’s lacking in the power department, either. There’s an S&S 124-inch engine here, polished, a Baker 6-speed, also polished, and adding a touch of sport to the touring style there’s a Bassani Road Rage 2-into-1 exhaust. That’s a comfy, cushy, touring-bike seat, too. It’s Drag Specialties’ Lo-Pro stitched model. Everything just listed, and lots more, came right out of stock at Drag Specialties.
Quite a parallel to that little stripped-down bobber showcased last time, isn’t it? This bike is the polar opposite of that one. It’s also its twin, albeit of the fraternal variety. The important parts for both bikes all came from the aftermarket, straight through the FatBook. In fact, both bikes were built at the same time, one in Massachusetts, one in Kansas. A little bobber with a ‘90s twist, and this Road King style bagger. More proof that the motorcycle aftermarket is one amazing place. If you want it you can get it–and Drag Specialties has it all.
A bagger has to be comfortable and with a Drag Specialties Lo-Pro Stitched Seat this one sure is. None of the parts here are limited to ground-up builds, either. Take a look at that whole Drag Specialties seat lineup, there’s plenty there.
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An S&S 124 is always a favorite. The look, the power and the reliability is tough to beat. This polished version has a Baker 6-speed behind it. That smooth outer primary is a Drag Specialties part, the floorboards are Cobra’s Swept models. |
A Wernimont gas tank, Dakota Digital’s 2000 Series Gauges along with Kuryakyn’s Vented Fuel Cap and LED Fuel Gauge make up the office. Everything needed for installation, from the fuel tank bolt kit to the Pingel petcock and Russell fittings came from the FatBook. |
Joker Machine’s hand controls and throttle housing was the choice here. Drag/Ness Blue Stealth Mirrors went on along with a pair of Drag/Hotop Chrome & Rubber Grips. Covington 1.5-inch risers mount the bar with Barnett’s braided cable opening the butterfly. |
Those Drag/Tuff Cycle side panels have been in the FatBook for a while now. They’re a bolt-on with real custom impact, easily modified for the application. Rivera’s Primo Clutch Kit is inside the primary. |
Cobra’s Swept floorboards will brighten the look of any bagger, and with all the available Drag Specialties brackets and mounts they’re an easy installation. |
Wheels, tires and fenders always add a dramatic look–ground-up or OE. Wernimont’s 5.5-inch front nicely hugs that new RC Czar with its matching rotor. The caliper is a Hawg Halters 6-piston model. |
Those Joker Machine hand controls and master cylinders look as right as can be. The guys at KC Creations thought Ness mirrors and Hotop grips would be a good match. They were right. |
Building a ground-up bagger or just accenting a factory FL is easy with some FatBook help. Everything’s there, right down to the Drag Specialties kickstand kit Kim Suter used on this one. |
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