2009 Covingtons Customs 250 Bagger - Boothill Bagger

Jim Labar wanted a bike with a bit of storage as well as mucho style and after searching far and wide he realized that no off-the-showroom bike would do. Knowing that a custom-built bike is an uphill challenge from the get-go, Jim did some research on exactly what he wanted. Once he figured out the criteria for his build, the hunt was then on for someone to build it. Jim spoke with more than a handful of bike builders and after only a short pow wow with Covingtons Customs, Jim was 100 percent into the concept of the Boot Hill Bagger and the rest as they say, is history.

One of the best parts about building a custom bagger is the real estate the bike possesses. There is a ton of room for chopping, cutting and painting. Jerry, David, and the rest of the crew at Covingtons Customs did just that on the Boot Hill Bagger. And they did it from the ground up.

This bike is definitely not your standard, run of the mill custom bagger, it barely employs any parts from a Harley-Davidson FL. To start the build off right David Covington got his hands on a rubber mounted Rolling Thunder chassis. He then sliced and diced it to get the 40 degree head angle he wanted along with 5 inches of stretch needed to get the bike's long and low stature. David also clearanced the rear of the frame to accept a 250 rear tire between the bags. The bike also sports an integrated oil tank located below the seat with a trick push-button operated cap hidden behind a custom-minted Covingtons Customs coin.

Up front, Covingtons went wild yet again with a set of 2-inch under Pro One tubes mated to Perse lowers. The forks attach to the frame by way of CNC machined Covingtons three degree triple clamps hidden behind a Road King nacelle. To add to the long and low theme of the bike, a set of Burly beach bars with chrome plated Performance Machine hand controls were bolted on.

Not wanting this slammed bike to scrape on every turn, Covingtons made an air ride system specifically for this bike. They also axed the floorboard mounts and went with a set of custom controls that used modified Harley-Davidson mounts mated to Performance Machine Softail-style forward controls. A custom bagger brake pedal was also fabbed to work with the forward controls and H-D master cylinder.

Powering the bike is a 105hp '09 Twin Cam B motor that Covingtons punched out to 103ci with the help of fully-polished Enginuity cylinders and heads, J&E pistons, Screamin' Eagle cams, rockers, lifters, and flywheel. Intake duties are handled by a Mikuni carb with the exhaust being expelled by a set of Covingtons headers and Bassani mufflers. The transmission is a specially made and highly polished Baker right side drive unit mated to a beautifully machined Jaybrake RSD primary drive.

Not to be out done by the custom frame and big-inch mill, Covingtons went with a set of 3-D machined Metalsport wheels: A gigantic 23x4 1/2-inch front wheel up front and a wider than wide 18x8 1/2-inch rear wheel wrapped in Avon rubber. With wheels this big and wide some serious stoppers were needed, so six-piston Performance Machine calipers with 13-inch rotors were used up front to bring this bagger to a halt.

All of the sheetmetal on the bike was either severely customized or hand-pounded from scratch including the stretched tank and fenders. When all of the tin was laser straight and ready for paint, Covingtons handed off the pile of parts to Rich Bazonella who squirted a whiskey brown base coat and proceeded to kick out some of the best airbrushing we have ever seen. Incase you haven't noticed, the bike's whole scheme has a western theme with photos of both Jim and his wife included in the mix. To complete the top-notch paint and graphics combo, a good amount of golf leaf was also applied.

To further the looks of the bike, master leather worker Duane Ballard was contacted to construct and hand-tool the seat with old-style filigree and Jim's initials. Duane also tooled the one-off Covingtons leather wrapped grips with sheriff's badges to complete the old west look.

The bike was hand delivered by Jerry and David Covington to Jim during Daytona's bike week and both he and his wife were floored at the construction of the bike as well as the realness of the airbrushing. Even though the bike was built to show-like quality, Jim throws a leg over this iron horse regularly. Legend has it, that he even has a pair of matching cowboy boots he wears while riding Florida's open range.

Like we say here at Baggers; If you're gonna ride, ride with your boots on.