Dynas have come a long way as far as respectability goes in the Harley world. Going back 15-years ago, a lot of Harley folk didn’t have too much good to say about Dynas with a response to them that’s the equivalent of “Meh?” today. My how things have changed. Personally, I have to give a lot of credit to Jax Teller and the fictional crew of Sons of Anarchy for helping legitimize Dynas in the Harley tier of things. Today the Dyna is cool ride especially when it’s been a bit personalized. Not only did the Dyna share mechanical upgrades with the other Harley models over the years, but it introduced them too. And, although this is totally subjective, I think The Motor Company’s Dyna lineup has simply gotten better looking every year. 

   Seems like Performance Machine noticed this trend and decided to capitalize on it with some very tasty parts that only enhance the stock look with a bit of quality jewelry, but  upgraded components too. For what it’s worth, there are at least 33 PM parts situated somewhere between axle to axle of the PM Contrast Cut Dixon wheels. Speaking of wheels, a 21-inch front wearing 120/70 Metzeler rubber replaces the stock 110/90-19 while out back a 180/55-18 sits where a 160/70-17 once did. That’s just a smart case of more rubber on the road for better braking and handling while looking better than the OEM wheels ever did. A win-win. 

  Same goes for the brakes which have be upgraded in not quite the easiest or cheapest fashion, but that’s the way it goes on this dream machine. Up front, PM replaced the fork legs with their radial brake FL lowers and Progressive Suspension’s FL monotube cartridge kit. Better suspension, brakes and looks in one fell swoop. Out back things are a little more complicated with a beefier aluminum rear swingarm from Trac Dynamics that bench presses a pair of long 13.5-inch Progressive 970 piggy back shocks. More travel and more control works well with the front end mods for a buttoned down feeling through curve after curve. 

  The Twin Cam 103 engine is pretty much a peach in the relatively light (670lb) Dyna, but you can’t have a Harley without a Stage 1 kit. Here a PM Jet air cleaner supplies the air while Vance & Hines provided their 2-into-1 SS Pro Pipe for the both the performance and audio aspects of this ride. Other than a change of every engine cover that could be unbolted to the PM Contrast Cut Drive series and a beautiful open belt PM Primary, the engine was done and done. Obviously, controlling the Dyna’s newfound power is left to PM’s hand and foot controls, this time using their Contour series. PM fabbed up the mini-apes to their liking and the distance to the Mustang Avenger seat looks pretty reasonable. Like I said earlier, this is a PM showcase and nothing that could be left out was. Basically this whole bike looks like it lost a Contrast Cut fight with a CNC machine and this is one of those times where losing is winning. 

   Bodywise, there’s nothing too radical going on and that’s okay. The need to relate to a Dyna owner kept the stock tank and rear fender as is kept the Dyna profile intact. Up front, you’d never know that the sleek little tire-hugging front fender was modified by PM from a Roaring Toyz FL-style fender. More got cut away than saved, but the end result is lovely. I’m not sure exactly that the mini-fairing is, but it channels the SOA attitude a bit and that’s okay. Better than channeling Breaking Bad and getting a Pontiac Aztec look to the front end. The simple, but extremely effective blue and silver panel paintjob with red pinstriping and black graphics by Chris Wood at AirTrix brings on the custom without dominating the bike. It draws you in, but doesn’t overwhelm the PM Horn-of-Plenty parts. 

   Personally, I’ve always liked Dynas and the ability to enhance what’s already good looking to great looking with a dose of power, handling, braking and a side of sass makes one of my favorite-to-ride Harleys even better. The wheel and brake swap alone takes this out of showroom stock to super cool just by itself. Chuck on the rest when you can afford it and you’ll have something to look forward to in the future. This is a piecemeal custom that gets better and better with every piece you add. Somehow I think that’s exactly what Performance Machine had in mind.  

  For more info on Performance Machine, visit http://www.performancemachine.com/.