Description

Harley-Davidson now has a long history of adopting owners’ ideas and channeling them into factory-made “customs” that look personalized even before one option has been added. Yet, even the most custom-looking factory Harley becomes a canvas for its owner to turn into an individualist machine. The chopper-style Wide Glide, with a history stretching back to the FX chassis in 1980, exemplified that approach. The model continued on the Dyna chassis in 1993 and got the Twin Cam 88 engine in 1999. This 2001 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide shows the result of two different enthusiast owners pushing its special look further.

As two examples, this purple Harley not only looks the custom part but also sounds it and gives the rider more power thanks to an S&S mild cam and a Vance & Hines exhaust. As photos show, the Harley is dressed out well in chrome, including the fork legs and an oh-so-Seventies sissy bar. Suspension updates and new tires put some more bite into the turns, while electrical updates and LED lighting should help reliability. The seller says he is selling the customized Wide Glide to buy a truck.

POWERTRAIN The Harley’s engine is original and not rebuilt. The main update was to change the cam tensioner, which is a common need on the Twin Cam 88 engine. This has been corrected and updated with an S&S mild cam with a cam gear drive, eliminating the tensioner issue. The carburetor was rebuilt with a Dynojet slide kit with upgraded jets tailored to the Vance & Hines exhaust. Other services include new manifold seals, replacement rocker breathers, rocker box gasket, new gas line and petcock filter, and new choke cable. Starting is easy with the choke out and four squirts from the throttle. There are no leaks or weeps and the five-speed transmission shifts normally.

EXTERIOR The paint is believed to be original and is in good shape for a 23-year-old bike. Pin stripping was added in the past. There are no dents or scratches, but there are some signs of aging on the chrome, though nothing of consequence,” he states. As photos show, the bike has an abundance of chrome and polished trim.

SEAT AND CONTROLS This bike has a new Mustang black vinyl seat, and all gauges function properly. A new exterior temperature gauge was added. Oberon adjustable levers and a Muller power clutch kit make operation easier for a variety of riders.

CHASSIS The Harley’s fork legs were rebuilt and updated with Race Tech springs, a Kuryakin fork brace, and new seals. The previous owner added the Harley-Davidson CVO chrome wheels. Dunlop American Eagle Elite tires were installed in 2022 and have 1,200 miles on them. It features new Timken steering head bearings and races, along with new handlebar bushings and hardware. There are no issues with the brakes, as the calipers were rebuilt, and braided lines were added with new pads and bleeder screws

FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide shows the customization and optimization results of two enthusiast owners. The low-mile, eye-grabbing custom looks ready and has noteworthy upgrades that should make for some fun riding. It is presented with no needs.