Eleanor. Dyna Nostalgia.

A little bit more than one month ago, as Harley-Davidson’s 2018 Softail-only line-up was announced, all Dyna models disappeared. Many Harley fans and custom builders were outraged when they learn that the Dyna, considered the the pure beloved descendant of the FXR, would no more be available to purchase, ride and customize. During these last 10 years I have featured quite a few FXD’s, most turned into high performance bikes with the road-gobbling power of a rubber-mounted big Twin engine and the sporty suspension of twin rear shocks. So, I guess this feature is for all nostalgic fans of the elastomer engine mounts Dyna.

Eleanor was displayed for the 1st time beginning of September during the 20th edition of European Bike Week in Faaker See, Austria. A killer build by NCT Motorcycles showing one more time that the Dyna is a superb, if not always easy, platform to turn a Harley into an aggressive, low slung and ready to race bike. Of course, the job got started with a complete strip down, then with a heavy rear frame modification by fabricator Manuel Tilke to redefine the Dyna sportive stance. Engine kept its stock internals but was overhauled to 96 “ or 1584 cc.

The easiest part of the makeover was probably the gas tank borrowed from a Harley Street 500. It required no modification except  relocating the mount. Aggressive riding means high-specification suspension. The stock 49 mm aluminum forks were replaced by higher performance Showa ones, while the rear is now fitted with Öhlins Piggyback shocks. An Akrapovic exhaust was modifiedto to redirect the rear cylinder pipe between the rear fender right side and the right shock. The front cylinder pipe is now running parallel to the right of frame lower tube.

All the electrical system is provided by the reliability proven Motogadget M.Unit Control Box. Speedo mounted flush to the headlight bracket was also sourced at Motogadget. LSL provided the lightweight carbon handlebars. The master cylinders are from Galespeed and Rizoma .The bike rolls on a pair of 17” wheels dressed with Super Moto compound, in sizei120/70 R 17 at the front and 160/60 R 17 at the back.

I like that Eleanor doesn’t feature one of the usual bike color schemes. A simple bronze body color with a blue leather seat with the same blue sprayed on the gas tank logo, primary cover engraving and Brembo brake calipers, give this FXD an added touch of chic to its very sporty spirit. Eleanor is now the daily rider of shop owner David Widmann. NCT Motorcycles (photos @ NCT)

14 Responses to “Eleanor. Dyna Nostalgia.”


  1. 1 SIGFREED Oct 2nd, 2017 at 7:57 am

    I am sure nobody will miss the Dyna Death Wobble…

  2. 2 Mike Johnson Oct 2nd, 2017 at 9:24 am

    The rubber mounts had to go as they quickly permitted the rear tire to move off track and the 100% balanced M8 engine is the only way to move forward. Any competent Frame-Meister can change the new Softail to a Dyna style frame though H-D may bring one out very very soon.
    Alternatively the new engine might be installed on hard mounts in a current Dyna frame as the rubber mounts should give some flexibilty in exact engine height.
    Harleys are partly about YOUR personal involvement in making the factory rough draft your machine. 😉

  3. 3 Chris Oct 2nd, 2017 at 9:26 am

    Questionable decision making on the rear exhaust. Other than that, looks like she’s ready for a beating. Nice brakes and suspension. Dig the color.

  4. 4 BobS Oct 2nd, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Sorry, I’m not feeling the love for it.

  5. 5 Iron Horse Oct 2nd, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Not a big fan of that seat, especially with the forward controls the bike wears. I’m also a little suspect of the exhaust running right next to the right rear shock.

    I do like the performance suspension as well as the upgraded brakes and rims.

  6. 6 58_pan Oct 2nd, 2017 at 11:44 am

    Yep we’re going racing with forward controls LOL other than that and the exhaust heating up the shock I like it.

  7. 7 James just another crazy kiwi Oct 2nd, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Ha….. Death Wobbles were invented by The Softail, sure the new ones might be ok but the majority were terrible. I bought a new one and sold it straight away.

    Infact the early ones handled worse than the old Shovels.

    Plus since when have people bought a HD for handling, if i wanted handling I would buy a Ducati or a Triumph.

    People like the later Dyna frames cause they looked like a Shovel but handled better. These new frame looks Metric !!!!

    Cheaper to produce yet the price goes up too !!

  8. 8 SYF Oct 2nd, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    I thought the death wobble was a rubber mounted FLH thing. Not Dyna and Softail.

  9. 9 Francesco Oct 2nd, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    Superbe !!!Eleanor!!

  10. 10 rcupp Oct 2nd, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    Why would you take a once nice looking bike and put gixxer pipes on it?

  11. 11 badams Oct 2nd, 2017 at 9:59 pm

    Just curious, why the stock rotor in the rear?

  12. 12 highrpm Oct 3rd, 2017 at 8:37 am

    don’t think the gixxer bike touches of angular fenders and pipes mixes well with boardtracker seat and fatbob tank and massive engine

  13. 13 JZ Feb 21st, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    What is the specific color of the tank?

  14. 14 Tat2 puppy Aug 13th, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    I think it is awesome. I would purchase this if it was manufactured. Dont like the exhaust. A set of short shots black powdercoated with bronze tipp’s would be awesome. Z bar handle bars 6in would be awesome. But over all nice bike .

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Cyril Huze