You Gotta See This Cajun Custom 1997 FLHS Bagger
Most baggers are all bout the bling, but not this stealthy, sleek creation by Beaux Arts Builder Don Hotop. Let's take a close look at some of the details that went into this quality, professional build.
1. Black Rascal
In Creole "Camille Noir" means "Black Rascal," and that's just what Louisiana owner Mike Guidry asked famed builder Don Hotop to create for him. Guidry owns a trucking company in Cajun country and emblazons the rear of every truck in his fleet with the legend, "Hot Rods, Harleys, and Hauling Ass." And yes, those are Mike's Chevys in the background.
2. Cajun Cruiser
This 1997 FLHS was Sturgis regular Don Hotop's second project for Guidry, his first being the rejuvenation of the hack job done on Guidry's Softail by another builder. Hotop added 4 degrees of rake to the frame, removed the rear section, and altered the top rail to get the angles just right.
3. Stealth Special
If you noticed something missing, you're right. Actually, more than a few things are missing. Not content with just the usual de-tabbing and bracket removal, Iowa builder Hotop also cleverly concealed the saddlebag mounts. He then proceeded to eliminate the original tail lamp unit and substitute dual teardrop tail lights into the bag set-up. The gas cap is now located under an unobtrusive, flush fitting fuel door, adding to the overall smoothed-out effect. To tidy things up further, the radio controls were moved from the Hotop/Ness bars to a custom panel on the Batwing fairing. The ignition switch was relocated to a stealth position near the coil cover.
4. Party Piece
The most James Bond thing on the bike is probably the disappearing license plate, which we remind you is only illegal when in the 'up' position. Hit a button and the license plate retracts into the fender for stealth travel, or display. You can understand why he wouldn't want his plate on display when you see how quickly this bike can move out. The engine is 96 cubic inches of S&S power, including the bottom end, cases, rods, pistons, cylinders, and cam—topped with Patrick Racing heads and valves—and breathing through an S&S carb.
5.Paint and Pipes
Built at Don Hotop's shop in Iowa over the course of two years, this beauty was delivered to its owner during Sturgis. Don made custom footboards that extend 2 inches further back than the stock items and he fabricated the custom pipes as well. Hotop sent the frame to fellow Iowan Dan Conlee for the molding and color, while Mike Robbins handled the paint and graphics on the other body and chassis parts at his shop in Oklahoma.
6. The Man Behind the Black Bagger
Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee Don Hotop won his first Harley-Davidson in a game of pool in the early 1970s and he's had his hands on Hogs ever since. The Fort Madison, Iowa builder opened Don's Speed and Custom in 1974 and despite walking, or riding, away from the profession a couple of times since then he's still at it. You can see his designs in popular catalogs and maybe you even caught him on an episode of Monster's Garage. He's come a long way since that first 1945 bike and it is always exciting to see where he goes next.
7. Parting Shot
So if you are riding past the swamps of Cajun country and you spot this beauty you can smile to yourself and say, 'It's the Black Rascal.' Just don't try to take down a plate number... or challenge its builder to a game of pool.
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