My Dream Blonde
I was sitting in my garage on the weekend after giving the fatty a clean and was reflecting on some of my learning's with this bike and what I would do differently should I somehow grace my garage with another Dyna.
The reality now is that the Moco aren't making any more of them. If I want enough Harleys to last me the next 40 years I should probably plan to save another Dyna or 2, or 4. While having several very similar models would not only mean I could stockpile spares and service items I would still set them up differently.
I have no regrets from choosing the Fat Bob as a starting point this time around. However if given the chance again I would have started with an older "1st Gen" Fat Bob mainly for the lack of ABS (Meaning bar installs are cheaper) and it has the better looking engine, and overall less black. But hey you live and learn.
Now If I were adding another Dyna in addition to my 2014 fatty I would go in a different direction from where I have, namely less black, little or no black in fact.
Enter the Blonde Motor....
The "Blonde" Engine is named so because the cases are coated in a sort of grey/silver colour. I've eluded to my Blonde last before. The standard Blonde is not to be confused with the CVO models which some have a darker grey. The blonde motor is more similar to the models of old where the heart of the bike had no little or no black.
Way before the murdered out trend caught on. It came out in several Harley models, most of them 96 cubic inch including (But not limited to):
I'd probably start with a 2009 Dyna Superglide Custom. There are a couple of Superglide models: Standard, Custom and Sport that across the various years came with the blonde motor. Some have a riser mounted instrument/gauge and single fuel cap (not easily cleaned up), Some have cast wheels.
Other benefits of the Superglide over say an 09 street bob is that the superglide comes with the larger 18.5 litre tank (like my fatty). It also comes with a full rear fender (I don't miss the water up my back from my old street bob). It also gets the Dash switch (As opposed the the neck mounted switch that scuffs the crap out of your frame paint).
In terms of requirements this Dyna would not replace the fatty as a road tripper, it wouldn't see regular commuting or bad weather either meaning I could make it more of a show piece. Given I ride so much I have always had to balance what Want with what will work for me in the real world, riding 1000km a week. This Dyna would be the bike I've always wanted to own but practically couldn't justify it.
Side note. Since I started stockpiling Fast Fours and Rotaries Magazines in my late teens and owned a road registered, track ready 72 Mazda Rx2 in my early 20s I have always wanted a vehicle of magazine quality.
This bike would be what I see to be the modern bobber or bar hopper. It would be no nonsense, no bells and whistles, the absolute bare minimum and as minimalist as you can possibly go, but still being a modern, fuel injected Dyna.
Guarantee of this changing though.
Likewise the bars and controls would also have to be chrome. Grips would be speed merchant aluminium.
Motor
This is where it all comes together. I've been watching more and more parts come on the market from Estevez Motorcycle Design. They make finned upgrade parts like primary, and cam chests covers and also rocker boxes. I really dig how the raw colour looks and think it will compliment the blonde motor perfectly.
The reality now is that the Moco aren't making any more of them. If I want enough Harleys to last me the next 40 years I should probably plan to save another Dyna or 2, or 4. While having several very similar models would not only mean I could stockpile spares and service items I would still set them up differently.
I have no regrets from choosing the Fat Bob as a starting point this time around. However if given the chance again I would have started with an older "1st Gen" Fat Bob mainly for the lack of ABS (Meaning bar installs are cheaper) and it has the better looking engine, and overall less black. But hey you live and learn.
Now If I were adding another Dyna in addition to my 2014 fatty I would go in a different direction from where I have, namely less black, little or no black in fact.
Enter the Blonde Motor....
The "Blonde" Engine is named so because the cases are coated in a sort of grey/silver colour. I've eluded to my Blonde last before. The standard Blonde is not to be confused with the CVO models which some have a darker grey. The blonde motor is more similar to the models of old where the heart of the bike had no little or no black.
Way before the murdered out trend caught on. It came out in several Harley models, most of them 96 cubic inch including (But not limited to):
- Softail Standard
- Electraglide Standard
- Some Dyna Superglides
- Some Street Bobs
I'd probably start with a 2009 Dyna Superglide Custom. There are a couple of Superglide models: Standard, Custom and Sport that across the various years came with the blonde motor. Some have a riser mounted instrument/gauge and single fuel cap (not easily cleaned up), Some have cast wheels.
Other benefits of the Superglide over say an 09 street bob is that the superglide comes with the larger 18.5 litre tank (like my fatty). It also comes with a full rear fender (I don't miss the water up my back from my old street bob). It also gets the Dash switch (As opposed the the neck mounted switch that scuffs the crap out of your frame paint).
In terms of requirements this Dyna would not replace the fatty as a road tripper, it wouldn't see regular commuting or bad weather either meaning I could make it more of a show piece. Given I ride so much I have always had to balance what Want with what will work for me in the real world, riding 1000km a week. This Dyna would be the bike I've always wanted to own but practically couldn't justify it.
Side note. Since I started stockpiling Fast Fours and Rotaries Magazines in my late teens and owned a road registered, track ready 72 Mazda Rx2 in my early 20s I have always wanted a vehicle of magazine quality.
This bike would be what I see to be the modern bobber or bar hopper. It would be no nonsense, no bells and whistles, the absolute bare minimum and as minimalist as you can possibly go, but still being a modern, fuel injected Dyna.
Body
The lowriders full rear fender would be shaved and the tail light ditched in favour of turn signals with run, brake turn functionality.Paint
There are so many options and I have shared a snippet of work I feel would translate to a bike here, here, here and also here, here, here, there, this, that, him, and her. Oh also here, here and finally here. It goes without saying that whatever colour I paint the Fatty will probably dictate what colour the Dream Dyna would get. If you asked me right now I would say a Matte Turquoise with chrome wheels and white walls for the Fatty and a Matt brown for the dream bike.Guarantee of this changing though.
Bars
Of course apes hangers are a no brainer but the challenge is that all good looking tall bars don't really work with the mid glide front end of the Superglide. I found these narrow bottom apes from Chassis Design Company that I like.
Seat
I've been happy with my 3 Mustang seats so far but a dream bike means no compromises so a hand tooled saddle in distressed brown would get the nod. But this colour of seat would better suit the Turquoise colour scheme (See how I've already changed my mind).
Wheels
My 21x3.5/18x5.5 wheel set ambition has to come to fruition in this build. More than likely fat spoke wheels and most definitely a 200 rear for the sheer fact that its the biggest this model will fit under the rear guard. More than likely Chrome spoked with either a black or chrome rim.
Exhaust
As happy as I've been with V&H big shots on both my Dynas the Bassani side sweeps in chrome are a great looking pipe and would get the brushed treatment.
Suspension
Keeping it simple I'd opt for some Drag specialities shocks in chrome. 11" is low but this bike is a show piece.
Chrome
My old 2010 street bob came standard with a chrome front end and I have to say it held up much better to 90,000km of abuse than the black fork sliders of the fatty with 25,000km on them.
Likewise the bars and controls would also have to be chrome. Grips would be speed merchant aluminium.
Motor
This is where it all comes together. I've been watching more and more parts come on the market from Estevez Motorcycle Design. They make finned upgrade parts like primary, and cam chests covers and also rocker boxes. I really dig how the raw colour looks and think it will compliment the blonde motor perfectly.
Special Mentions
S&S A/c cover
Power Vision
Removable, means I can tune both bikes.
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