Yoda once told Luke Skywalker that the Dark Side was “quicker, easier, more seductive” than its light counterpart. I don’t think Pop’s Garage Fabrication would describe this dark horse right here as easier to build than some of its other bikes, but this bike was built for speed, and it’s probably damn fun to ride.

It’s a 2016 Harley-Davidson Dyna optimized to do what Dynas were meant to do: perform. Unlike its Softail contemporaries that were born to look like something they weren’t (hardtails), the FXD series was the rubber-mount replacement for the infamous FXR, arguably the best chassis Harley ever produced. Pop’s Garage Fabrication is centered on the idea of family and the craft involved in creating rolling, functioning works of art. They strive to build highly functional, performance-driven motorcycles that will handle whatever you throw at them, as well as stand the test of time. That’s a Dyna’s mission in life, so the choice was natural.

The dark side Dyna sitting in Pop’s Garage.

Steve West

The bike was purchased new from Savannah Harley-Davidson. Owner Colin McDonald traded a 2014 FLHXS, all blacked out with a badass 107 kit in it, for the FXDB. Although his trade-in was worth more than the stock Dyna, Colin put the extra money into the FXDB and did the 110-inch motor kit along with some other minor upgrades, such as the bars, exhaust, and air cleaner.

“I am from North Georgia, and we tend to ride long distance in the mountains,” Colin tells us. “I wanted something that could handle the roads here with little effort, and to have a Harley that defied the stereotype of being slow and handling poorly.”

It’s all in the details. Black and red throughout, but never too much.

Steve West

Later, North Ridge Cycles punched the mill out from 110 to 124 inches. Colin’s need for speed outweighed what he was getting from the original upgrade. Swapping over to Ohlins forks and shocks made for much better cornering, letting Colin take full advantage of all that newfound muscle in his motor.

“I wanted something that could handle the roads here with little effort, and to have a Harley that defied the stereotype of being slow and handling poorly.”

Not every change was of the simple bolt-on persuasion though. Installing the Kineo wheels and Roaring Toyz swingarm gave Colin a nice challenge. Fabricating the 2-into-1 stainless exhaust system took a week of the efforts of both Pop’s Garage Fabrication and Frankenwerks Fabrication to hammer out. So much for easier!

Within a year, the bike was transformed three different times, laid down twice, and has been in the hands of two independent shops and the dealership. But it was the hand of Pop’s Garage Fabrication that made it what it is today.

Quicker, more fun, and more seductive.

Beringer brakes and a GPR stabilizer are just a couple of the performance components tucked into this bad Dyna.

Steve West

Specifications

General
Bike Owner	Colin McDonald
Shop Name	Pop’s Garage Fabrication
Shop Phone	770-905-5990
Shop website	popsgaragefab.com
Year/Make/Model	2016/Harley-Davidson/FXDB
Fabrication	Pop’s Garage Fabrication
Assembly	Pop’s Garage Fabrication
Build Time	Four to five months
Engine
Year/Manufacturer	2016/S&S
Type/size	Twin Cam/124ci
Builder	North Ridge Cycles
Cases	H-D
Cylinders	H-D
Heads	H-D
Rocker Boxes	H-D
EFI/Carb	58 mm Screamin’ Eagle
Air Cleaner	Performance Machine
Exhaust	Pop’s Garage Fabrication/Frankenwerks Fab
Transmission
Year/Manufacturer/Type	2016/H-D/six-speed
Case	H-D
Clutch	Barnett Scorpion Lock-Up
Primary Drive	PBI sprockets/EK chain
Frame
Year/Manufacturer	2016/H-D
Rake	Stock
Suspension
Manufacturer Front	Ohlins
Length	32 inches
Triple Trees	Kraus Motor Co.
Manufacturer Rear	Ohlins
Special Features	Roaring Toyz aluminum swingarm
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
Rim	Kineo Wheels
Manufacturer Front	Metzeler
Wheel Height/Width	19 x 3.5-inch
Tire Height/width	120/70-19
Caliper	Beringer
Rotor	Beringer
Manufacturer Rear	Metzeler
Wheel Height/Width	17 x 5.5-inch
Tire Height/Width	170/60-17
Caliper	Beringer
Rotor	Revolution Speed Manufacturing
Finish/Paint
Color	Black
Painter	Chastin Brand
Graphics	Red pinstriping and FLH badge by hand
Accessories
Front Fender	Kraus Motor Co.
Rear Fender	H-D Low Rider
Fairing/Windscreen	Conely’s T-sport fairing
Gauges	H-D
Gas Tank/Cap	H-D flush-mount
Dash	H-D
Oil Tank	H-D
Handlebars	Big Al’s/LS1
Hand Controls/Grips	Beringer and Motogadget
Foot Controls/Pegs	H-D/Speed Merchant
Headlight	Daymaker
Taillight	Moon’s MC
Turn Signals	Integrated in taillight
License Mount	Custom Dynamics
Seat	BMC/Corbin
Misc.	Rizoma mirrors, GPR steering stabilizer, Bung King crash bar