HACK'd Dyna Build Breakdown: A $600 Dyna, a Big Dream, and the Spirit of the Friends Throwdown

The Friends Throwdown started as a casual challenge among friends and has grown into a heartfelt tradition of building bikes, sharing camaraderie, and inspiring others. This year’s project, “HACK’d,” brought new meaning as a neglected Dyna was transformed into a 90’s-inspired masterpiece honoring its previous owner’s journey of rebuilding his life. Check out the full story to see how friendship, passion, and a little grit turned a $600 find into a true showstopper!

Apr 25, 2025

A CUSTOM 1994 HD DYNA WIDE GLIDE

The Friends Throwdown started just four short years ago when Jason Mook, Paul Yaffe, and I were joking around on Instagram. We decided to pick a bike or a genre and challenge ourselves to build something that might be outside our wheelhouse, then ride them together to Arizona Bike Week. We shared the camaraderie of the build process and the final results through a group chat thread.

This year’s theme? EVO (Evolution) powered motorcycles.

The Story Behind the Original Bike

As luck would have it, Todd Dewitt found a $600 Dyna listed on Facebook during lunch. I called immediately — no answer. The next morning, Jason Hackbarth reached out. He said I was "first" to offer the full amount, but someone else had now offered $800. Vanessa and I agreed to match it, and we drove to Sioux Falls to pick it up. The bike had been sitting neglected in someone’s yard for a couple of seasons. Turns out, it had been damaged getting dropped off a trailer, thus the reason it was parked in the first place.

Jason was up front about his situation: he had just gotten out of rehab, and the money would help him visit his kids in another state. I promised him that just like he was rebuilding his life, we would rebuild his bike and name it “HACK’d” in his honor.

90's Inspiration: Creativity Collides

Famous Custom Dyna Motorcycle Owned By Danny Gray

The design inspiration came from a Dyna owned by the legendary Danny Gray, the world-famous seat builder for names like Ness, Perewitz, Jesse James, and so many others. Danny’s a friend, and we have a signed poster of his iconic red Dyna hanging on the stairway of our shop , so it just felt right. The build was on!

The Details on the Build: It Takes a Village

As in years past, I teamed up with Donnie Smith and Rob Roehl who are both mentors and friends. That’s really the heart of this whole project: doing something with friends and inspiring others to build motorcycles. Rob quickly chopped the frame, adding a gooseneck and new rake. We converted the frame from square to round tubes, giving it a great new dimension. Special thanks to Jon Sniger for providing measurements from a duplicate of Danny’s original frame to nail the geometry. Rob even smoothed and detailed the swingarm.

We worked to mimic all the metal touches: filled-in struts, a reworked battery box area, stretched tank and even side marker taillights pulled straight from an ’80s Chevy van, complete with a matching plate mount.

Then it was time to tear down that crusty EVO motor. Ryan Anderson handled the cleaning and disassembly so it could go to Steve Langston at Elite Polishing. Meanwhile, Dani Pray tore into the transmission for the same treatment. We chose an Andrew’s cam, and Shelton Einerwold cleaned the carb, installed a new needle, and jetts. We added a Ness cam cover, a Bassani exhaust, and some eBay finds like a Ness transmission cover and rocker boxes to round out the 90’s-era powerplant.

While parts were out for polishing, we chose a PPG "Pull Me Over Red" basecoat, and sent the frame off to Jeff Gjerde and Shannon Pranschke in Spirit Lake, Iowa, for some smoothed welds and a proper facelift. Todd Dewitt ground the fins off the cylinder bases for a splash of color, just like Danny’s original bike.

The 90’s theme kept coming together: Brian had a Performance Machine “Villain” rear wheel already, and Tony Mei at Ramjet Racing found a matching 21" front wheel during a swap meet. Rick Pruess helped us dial in narrow glide measurements, brakes, and controls. Justin Page at My Machinist carved down a swap meet hub, and we used a Bare Knuckle narrow 41mm front setup with painted legs and a $35 billet headlight (another Facebook find).

Once the Wide Glide transformed into a Narrow Glide, it was time to talk graphics.

The bike was essential finished from Daytona in one short month so Jeremy made quick work of the tins. The tank area was too much on top so Jeremy and Brian turned to their traditional Tiki conversations. Jeremy said the 90's for him were Rollerblades, Walkman, JNCO jeans, braces and a Surge engergy drink. "Do it," and the theme exploded from there. The results? An absolute hit.

The bike rides on Drag Specialties shocks and runs an iOmounts® Center Riser magnetic phone mount for gauges and GPS. A mid-rise bar with Performance Machine controls and grips keeps the profile clean and low. A Barnett clutch and cables keep the power to the pavement.

Next up was the seat. Guy’s Upholstery in Arizona nailed the look, matching Danny’s original style with his signature cord stitch designs.

Krew Camaraderie and Community in Arizonia

Shelton, Dani and Ryan made quick work of the assembly process hiding the regulator, installing the Hotop Spoiler, replacing motor mounts and add chrome hardware, wiring and more to complete the transformation of the makeover from zero to hero for this little "HACK'd" Dyna that was built by a friends group of professionals on a short time frame all while Brian had Rotator Cuff surgery and was in a sling.

"I am so proud of the three of them this was a great build, that resulted in a great bike, representing some great people and brands. The motofamily is one of a kind and a blessing to be a part of" commented Brian Klock

The final step was the ride. Brian handed the reins to Ryan, and together with Shelton riding his FXR Evolution, they braved a snowy trek to Jerome, AZ for lunch, then down into Cave Creek to kick off Arizona Bike Week to kick-off another unforgettable Friends Throwdown.