Before my '96 Dyna Glide arrived on March 13th, I tried to educate myself about the bikes. As it turns out, there is a weakness with regard to the new chassis that is of some concern if you plan to significantly hop-up your scoot. Though I have been assured that minor performance mods prove no problem for the frame.
Free enterprise being the wonder that it is, an aftermarket company has come up with what they think is the solution. It's called a "Torque Arm." I spoke with the makers of the arm and here's what they told me about it:
Highway Art Corporation
17516 Von Karmen Avenue
Irvine, CA 92714
(800) 398-0222
Mark Cronenweth (conehead+@pitt.edu) tells me:
Take a close look at the Dyna frame and you'll see that the only way in which the engine and tranny are directly connected is through the primary. Twisting of the motor on the mounts (through large torque inputs) can cause the inner primary to crack. Or the front motor mount can split or wear quickly. The Carlini Torsion Bar attaches the tranny front door to the nosecone and is said to reduce or eliminate this tendancy, and also reduce vibration, by reinforcing the engine-tranny attachment. I believe it does this.They're available from Rivera Eng. [ED. NOTE: Actually that's not true. Revera Eng. does not sell them] or direct from Carlini (remember Tank Savers?) Unfortuately the Carlini brace is a "billet, chromed" item so it's essentially functional nature is masked by it's high price and accessory styling. Current Hot Bike ad says $289.
BTW, Mitch Herzog has one of these Carlini braces on his 110 HP Dyna stroker and swears by it. I would like to have one on my own 75 HP ride but $289 is too much. While the brace is not strictly necessary on most streetbikes, I'm certain any Dyna will benefit from the extra rigidity - just look at how the swingarm is attached!
Lyons Lynne M (Lynne.Lyons@Colorado.EDU) adds:
Contact Steve Lyons at High Country Harley-Davidson in Longmont, Colorado (303) 772-5252. He is the technician who installed the torque arm on Mitch Herzog's 98" Dyna and he'll be happy to answer all your questions!