Everybody loves baggers. If this weren’t true, I’m not sure I would have started this magazine four years ago. Baggers are so big that despite being Harley’s most expensive models, they’re also the top sellers, slamming through the tough economic climate we find ourselves in. Bottom line is that people are just willing to make the sacrifices needed to own one.
But what if you’ve got something else and want to get in on the action? Way back in the first issue of this magazine, we featured a V-Rod-to-Road-Glide conversion (dubbed the RoadRod) that Cycle Visions owner Randy Aron had done for Brad Pitt. The purpose, in that case, was to make that high-performance ride capable of toting around the 300-watt stereo system that was mounted to it. On a Heritage Softail, like the one on these pages, the purpose is somewhat different.
Cycle Visions has kits for all kinds of Harleys, to make them into the bagger that was just bursting to get out. Bagsters and Dynabaggers are kits they offer, but none is more fitting than the Baggertail. After all, Softails are styled on the lines of pre-1965 FL models that were the first Harley baggers. As such, they have a number of styling touches that fit right in with the bagger theme like the tank-mounted dash.
Even better than the other Harleys, including the actual Touring family, is that sweet dropped seat inherent in the hardtail-looking Softail frame. In many ways, it’s the perfect touring bike for someone on the short side, or even just riders who prefer to sit in their bike instead of on it.
While Randy could have swapped over the stock 16-inch wheels and called it a day, the Cycle Visions bagger mods on this ride are clean and factory looking. This custom went for a more custom FL appearance with 21- and 18-inch Rampage Wheels giving a sleek low-profile look at both ends. Cycle Visions’ own dual exhaust, rear fender, saddlebags, and lighting round out the back end.
Like that Brad Pitt RoadRod we covered back in 2007, the stereo is far from stock on this Heritage. The head is still the H-D unit, but it’s beefed up with an amp and speakers from Street Noyz.
While the Heritage has been trotted out as a “light touring” rig since its introduction back in the ’80s, we’ve never seen one quite as capable as this. On the custom side, this bike would stand out at any gathering, while flying under the radar as a non-bagger bagger. Here at Baggers we’re big fans of building capability and style in tandem, and this is a perfect example. B