Our thanks to Drag Magazine and Edge Advertising for these pictures and story . The annual Drag Specialties ' FatBook ' catalog cover bike is always an interesting insight into the way the wind is blowing in P & A demand terms , and this year ' s Softail by Gary Chipp and the team at Fat Baggers Inc . ( FBI - Chariton , Iowa ) is no exception . Based on a 2018 FLXR Softail Low Rider with a Trask turbo kit , it shows that big power and bold colors never ' get old ' - " a showcase of just how far you can push the performance envelope with a stock motorcycle , using parts from the Drag Specialties catalog ." " It was a challenging build ," said Chipp . " We typically do bagger bikes - complete custom builds from the frame up . So , to take a stock bike and be given a parts list to create with , was |
something new for us . But it is such a neat honor to be asked to build a Drag Specialties cover bike , we just couldn ' t say no ." The standout part of the bike is the turbo kit from Trask . " I think we got the very first production kit off the line ," Chipp said , " and I have to give a huge credit to Trask . The turbo kit went on flawlessly . " We did not have to make a single tech call or modify anything when we installed it . It just plugged right in and worked ." Chipp said that other parts of the build took a bit more work . " There aren ' t a lot of parts out there for this model of bike ," he said . " For example , we wound up having to customize the stock rear fender . We smoothed it , trimmed it and fitted the license plate holder . " Same with the front fender - it is a Paul Yaffe front fender for an FL Touring bike . We modified it to make it work and had to make custom spacers for mounting it ." |
The handlebars were another area that needed work . " We didn ' t have a set of bars for this bike ," Chipp commented . " So , we decided to develop some Fat Baggers EZ Install bars that will work with this type of bike . They are likely going to be a production item in the near future ." They are a lower , reduced-reach type of handlebar . " Reduced reach handlebars - that is a number one request we get at events we attend , especially from women riders ," Chipp said . " There are a LOT of women riders out there , and a popular request is for reduced reach style bars . So , the process of making handlebars for this bike kind of pivoted off to that design . It worked out kind of neat ." Talking about the paint choice , Chipp says : " I was working with a stock bike and a parts list , so my chance to really customize was a bit limited . So , I told the Drag Specialties team ' It ' s going to |
be pink !' There is no reason a cool , fast bike can ' t also be a ' girl ' s bike ,' so to speak . As I said , there are lots of female riders , and they like to go fast too ! So , Jason Harter here at FBI designed a really cool look and chose colors that really make it stand out ." And it is definitely a fast bike , Chipp said . " It is a runner , a real hot rod . The turbo kit was part of the original build idea . The thought was to make a Pro Stock-style motorcycle . But during the build process we kind of changed it up , went with a different look . And it turned out great ." Fat Baggers has been a dealership for |
Arlen Ness |
Mirror - mini / Stocker - side view - hexagon - chrome - left and right ; 6-piston caliper - |
front left and right - chrome - 11.8 "; rear bracket caliper - Softail | |
Cometic |
Complete engine / primary gasket set |
Custom Cycle Engineering |
Hard chrome fork tubes - 49 mm - 23.75 " |
Custom Dynamics |
ProBEAM LED headlamp 5.75 " - chrome ; micro turn signals - dual - amber / white - |
chrome ; smart triple play signal conversion module | |
Dakota Digital |
Speedometer - oval - chrome - ' 14 +; MBM module - add-on boost module with sender ; |
chrome 35 ° 1 " handlebar clamp mount - for straight risers | |
Drag Specialties Seats |
Predator seat - Double Diamond w / black stitching - vinyl - FLSB / FXLR ' 18- ' 23 |
Fat Baggers Inc . |
Housing upgrade - clutch cable ; handlebar - rounded top - 8 " - chrome |
Kodlin USA |
Gas tank - stretched - M-8 Softails ; 3-1 mini fender strut indicator lights - chrome |
Kuryakyn |
Fender strut cover plate - chrome |
Legend Suspensions |
REVO-A mono shock - 13 " - standard - M-8 Softail models ; AXEO M-8 , front suspension - 49 mm |
Magnum Shielding |
Switch block - AN3 - chrome |
Paul Yaffe Bagger Nation |
Café front fender - 19 " - chrome adaptors |
Performance Machine |
Lower fork leg - chrome - single disc - 49 mm ; grips - overdrive - TBW ; overdrive footpeg - |
M-8 ; overdrive shift peg , brake rotor - 11.8 " - formula | |
Rough Crafts |
Rocker box covers - chrome - grooved |
Saddlemen |
S-RT mini fairing - Low Rider |
Thundermax |
ECU with Auto Tune - ' 18 Softail |
Trask |
Tornado turbo performance kit - polished with brushed stainless steel exhaust |