Big Twin Café Racer from Black Cycles Australia…
The Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide (FXD) boasted a monster 1450cc Twin Cam 88 V-twin that cranked out 67 hp and a stump-pulling 86 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. The Motor Company marketed the ’03-05 bike as one of their sportier Big Twins, but at 663 pounds, the Super Glide was more hogzilla than gazelle.
“It’s a thudding, flexible, heavyweight unit that reminds more of a dump truck than a motorcycle, but for many, that’s the appeal…” –MCN
When Noel Muller’s friend John brought this ’04 model into the shop with minor drop damage, the two planned on a few quick fix and flip. However, when Noel realized the bike already had some choice engine upgrades — good for 96 hp on the dyno, a +40% increase! — he thought it would make a great base for a Black Cycles Australia build:
“I suggested he sink a decent amount of money into it and make it something different to the norm! He quickly agreed and on went the build…”
Noel seems to have a knack for showing what’s possible with unexpected donor bikes, and what the factories might’ve produced had they a bit more creativity and freedom. His Nightster scrambler — aka “The Scrambler We Wish Harley Had Built” — was a prime example, and this Dyna is another.
Noel ditched the original tank for one from an ’81 CB750 — a much bigger job than it might sound:
“All the mounts were shifted or remade, the rear of the tank was reshaped and shortened, and the whole tank was “sectioned” horizontally to bring the front down in depth by nearly 40mm. I retained the original fuel cap as well!”
Out back, Noel chopped the fender struts and added a custom rear hoop, while his trusted upholsterer, Adam at Carman’s Auto Trimmers, made up a bespoke saddle. The Super Glide is now rolling on lowered forks, Bitubo shocks, and newly-laced 19/18″ Excel rims with Galfer wave discs and Avon rubber. The cockpit and lighting comes from trusted names like Motogadget and Kellerman, and Noel fabricated bits like the rear pulley cover and painted the bike in-house — the color is a matte bronze.
The engine is the thundering heart of any Harley build, and this Twin Cam 1450 is quite the beast. It was already outfitted with Screamin’ Eagle heads / cams / ignition and a Mikuni flat-slide carb, to which Noel added a Two Brothers Racing 2:1 full exhaust.
“These engines come stock with approximately 67hp from the factory. This one with these upgrades dynoed at a strong 96hp.”
Noel says the bike handles great for such a big unit, with plenty of punch. It currently lives in the central coast area of New South Wales, where we hope the new owner gives it plenty of exercise. Below, we talk to Noel for the full story on the build.
Super Glide Café Racer: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
Back in September, 2021, a friend John purchased a 2004 Harley-Davidson Dyna FXD 1450 that had been dropped (nothing serious), but with enough damage to get it at a good price!
• Why was this bike built?
John sells motorbikes regularly in his spare time so he brought the Dyna over to my shop to look at for a quick fix and move it on.
But when I saw it and found out it had a few engine upgrades, I suggested he sink a decent amount of money into it and make it something different to the norm! He quickly agreed and on went the build…
• What custom work was done to the bike?
I originally planned to use the stock fuel tank for the build, but after stripping the bike down I decided it was the wrong shape and way too big for a “cafe racer,” so I went with an ’81 Honda CB750 tank.
All the mounts were shifted or remade, the rear of the tank was reshaped and shortened, and the whole tank was “sectioned” horizontally to bring the front down in depth by nearly 40mm. I retained the original fuel cap as well!
The rear fender struts were chopped off and a hoop was added to the rear. A custom seat was built and then covered by Adam at Carman’s Auto Trimmers.
The triple trees were de-tabbed and polished, a polished Motogadget mini speedo was added, chrome switch cases, billet clip-ons, old-school grips, and billet 2.5″ bar-end mirrors. Kellerman micro all-in-ones were used all around.
Custom Hel brake lines and a new shorter clutch cable were added.
19″ front and 18″ rear alloy Excel rims were anodized in a bronze/gold and then laced up with stainless steel spokes and Avon tyres fitted. Galfer wave discs were added front and rear.
A Two Brothers Racing brushed stainless steel 2-into-1 full exhaust was fitted.
I made up a cover for the centre of the rear belt pulley.
A Bates bottom-mount headlight was fitted, and along with the shortened front fender and CB fuel tank, painted in-house in a “matte bronze.”
The forks were lowered slightly & a pair of Bitubo rear shocks fitted.
Now the engine had some engine upgrades done prior, including Screamin’ Eagle heads, cams, and programmable ignition. A flat-slide Mikuni was also fitted and I’ve added a billet velocity stack.
• Any idea of power and/or weight numbers?
These engines come stock with approximately 67hp from the factory. This one with these upgrades dynoed at a strong 96hp.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
I’ve never really had a name for this build?
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?
It rides very well, handles great, and has more than enough horsepower to get around quickly. The bike was sold soon after being built to a guy on the central coast area of New South Wales.
Follow the Builder
Black Cycles Australia: Black Cycles Australia | @blackcyclesaustralia
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Now that’s a Harley I’d like to own! Nice bike great concept nicely executed. People in Milwaukee need to wake up and take notice!
Harley a … I mean hardly a Honda! :-0
Harleys are hard to get right. This is close but not quite there.
Really a great build; I’m very impressed. There are so many details I’d do differently, but the bike still looks “right; a testament to a talented builder. I think my only question mark would be the tank seam–with so much skill and hard work that went into modding the Honda tank, I’m surprised he didn’t find a way to “roll” or otherwise conceal it.
This is one of the most unusual Harleys I’ve ever seen. The aesthetic isn’t outstanding, but I like that this is such a weird, functional, good build. Looking at the other Black Cycles builds it’s clear that Noel is a bit different.
The Honda tank is a definite improvement over the stock Hardly.