2006 Harley-Davidson FXD35 Super Glide 35th Anniversary: Twin Cam 88 Dyna Factory-Custom Commemorative

The 2006 Harley-Davidson FXD35 Super Glide 35th Anniversary was a single-year commemorative Dyna built to mark 35 years since the 1971 FX Super Glide, Willie G. Davidson’s watershed factory custom. It sits inside the FXD Dyna Super Glide family, but it is not merely a trim package to be dismissed as another paint-and-badge exercise. It combines the historic Super Glide name with the mechanically important 2006 Dyna platform: rubber-mounted Twin Cam 88 power, the newly adopted six-speed Cruise Drive gearbox, 49 mm fork equipment and the revised Dyna chassis used immediately before the 2007 transition to the Twin Cam 96.

Best Known For: the FXD35 is best known as Harley-Davidson’s limited 35th Anniversary Super Glide, a collector-oriented Dyna that links the 1971 FX factory-custom origin story with the last Twin Cam 88 year of the Dyna line.

Quick Facts

For buyers and restorers, the FXD35 is best understood as a 2006-only Dyna Super Glide variant rather than a separate mechanical family. The table below keeps to the specifications that define its identity and usefulness in the collector market.

The essential point is that the FXD35 carries two identities at once. It is a modern Dyna of the mid-2000s, but its reason for existing is the Super Glide lineage that began the production-factory-custom idea Harley-Davidson would continue to refine for decades.

Why It Matters

The FXD35 matters because the Super Glide name is one of Harley-Davidson’s most consequential model names. The 1971 FX Super Glide joined big-twin running gear with a leaner front end and custom-inspired styling at a time when American riders were already cutting, narrowing and personalizing their motorcycles outside the factory. Harley-Davidson did not invent customization, but the FX brought a factory-sanctioned version of that language into the showroom.

By 2006, the Super Glide was no longer radical. The industry had absorbed the factory-custom idea so completely that a lean big-twin cruiser seemed conventional. That is precisely why the FXD35 is interesting: it commemorated a motorcycle that had once unsettled conservative Harley styling, while using a Dyna chassis that represented the company’s contemporary answer to rubber-mounted big-twin road manners.

It also occupies a mechanical hinge point. The 2006 Dyna models received the six-speed Cruise Drive gearbox and updated chassis equipment while retaining the 1450 cc Twin Cam 88. The following model year moved the Dyna line to the larger Twin Cam 96. For collectors who pay attention to year-by-year specification, the FXD35 is therefore a one-year anniversary machine tied to a one-year drivetrain combination.

Historical Context and Development Background

The original FX Super Glide arrived for 1971, during one of the most visually experimental periods in Harley-Davidson history. Willie G. Davidson’s design combined FL-derived big-twin substance with a narrower, more youthful appearance and the memorable boat-tail rear section also associated with the period Sportster. The result was controversial in its first form, but the FX idea proved durable: a big twin stripped of touring bulk, made to look personal before its owner even touched it.

The Dyna family appeared later as Harley-Davidson sought to balance traditional big-twin feel with more modern isolation and chassis behavior. The Dyna layout used rubber engine mounting rather than the solid-mount arrangement of earlier big twins and differed from the counterbalanced Twin Cam Softail models. It gave riders the familiar narrow-waisted Harley silhouette with less fatigue at speed, while keeping exposed twin-shock rear suspension and a visually honest steel frame.

In the mid-2000s Harley-Davidson was selling into a cruiser market shaped as much by brand identity and customization as by raw performance. Japanese V-twins had become larger and more polished, Victory was building credible American alternatives, and Harley’s own catalog had broadened into Softail, Touring, Sportster, VRSC and Dyna branches. The Super Glide remained the plain-speaking core Dyna: less ornate than a Wide Glide, less lowered than a Low Rider, and less overtly nostalgic than some Softails.

The 2006 FXD35 was Harley-Davidson’s way of drawing a clean line from the 1971 FX to the contemporary Dyna. Period descriptions identify it as a limited anniversary model, commonly cited as a 3,500-unit run. Exact distribution by market and surviving original examples are separate questions, but the limited-production status is central to how the FXD35 is viewed by Dyna collectors.

Engine and Drivetrain

The FXD35 used Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 88, an air-cooled, 45-degree overhead-valve V-twin with two valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters and dual camshafts in the crankcase. In the Dyna chassis this engine was rubber-mounted, unlike the counterbalanced Twin Cam 88B used in Softail models. The rubber-mount arrangement is an important part of the motorcycle’s character: the engine can idle with visible life, yet the worst of the big-twin shake is isolated once the motorcycle is moving.

Induction on 2006 Dynas depends on model and market configuration. Harley-Davidson used both carbureted and fuel-injected designations in this era, with an “I” suffix generally identifying injected variants in many factory model codes. Because the FXD35 designation itself is commonly presented without that suffix, a serious buyer should verify the actual induction equipment, original sales documentation and market-specific specification rather than assuming from appearance alone.

Primary drive is by chain to a wet multi-plate clutch, with final drive by belt. The six-speed Cruise Drive gearbox is one of the defining 2006 Dyna features. It gave the Dyna line a taller, more relaxed top-gear character than the five-speed units that preceded it, and it is one of the reasons 2006 Dynas are researched separately by knowledgeable buyers.

Engine and Drivetrain Specifications

The following table covers the core mechanical specification normally used to identify the FXD35. Horsepower is intentionally omitted because Harley-Davidson did not generally promote this model by a factory horsepower figure, and aftermarket dyno numbers are not factory specifications.

The Twin Cam 88 is not a rare engine, which is good news for ownership. The FXD35’s value is not in an exotic powerplant but in the specific combination of anniversary presentation, Dyna chassis and 2006-only specification. Mechanically, it remains close enough to the broader Twin Cam universe that parts and specialist knowledge are strong.

Chassis, Suspension, and Braking

The Dyna frame gives the FXD35 its mechanical identity as much as the engine does. Unlike a Softail, it shows a real twin-shock rear suspension layout; unlike a Touring model, it is narrow, comparatively uncluttered and visually closer to the old FX idea. The rubber-mounted powertrain is carried in a tubular steel chassis intended to preserve big-twin character without making highway use a punishment.

For 2006, Dyna models adopted 49 mm front forks, a meaningful change over earlier equipment. That larger fork contributes to the more planted front-end feel associated with the updated 2006 chassis. Braking is by discs front and rear, adequate for the motorcycle’s intended use when maintained correctly, though the FXD35 is still a long-wheelbase cruiser rather than a sporting roadster.

Chassis and Equipment

These chassis details are the ones that matter most when identifying or evaluating the motorcycle. Wheel finishes, trim and market equipment should be checked against original documentation, because anniversary models are often altered by owners who treat them like any other Dyna.

Visually, the FXD35 is not as extravagant as a Softail showpiece and not as stripped as the later blacked-out Street Bob idiom. Its appeal is in the anniversary treatment applied to the plain Super Glide form: tank, side covers, fenders, badging and small trim pieces carry much more importance than they would on an ordinary commuter-worn Dyna.

Riding Experience and Mechanical Character

A well-sorted FXD35 feels like a mid-2000s rubber-mounted big twin, not a rigidly faithful recreation of a 1971 Shovelhead. Starting is modern Harley practice rather than a vintage ritual: electric start, enrichment or fuel-injection procedure depending on specification, and the familiar Twin Cam idle settling into a low-frequency pulse. The engine moves in its mounts at rest, then smooths substantially as road speed rises.

The Twin Cam 88 delivers its best work through torque rather than revs. It pulls cleanly from low engine speed, rewards short-shifting, and suits the Super Glide’s stripped cruiser brief. The six-speed gearbox gives the motorcycle a more relaxed top-gear cadence than earlier five-speed Dynas, particularly on open roads where the motor is no longer asked to spin as quickly for sustained cruising.

Controls are conventional modern Harley-Davidson controls, not the hand-shift and foot-clutch world of early American motorcycles. Clutch effort and shift action depend heavily on cable condition, primary adjustment and lubricant choice, but the experience is mechanical and deliberate rather than light or Japanese. Braking demands the same period-correct expectations: use both discs, leave room, and remember that weight, wheelbase and cruiser geometry set the limits.

Low-speed handling is stable rather than quick, with the Dyna chassis carrying its mass in a familiar big-twin way. The 49 mm front end gives reassuring stiffness compared with earlier lighter fork assemblies, while the twin-shock rear layout keeps the bike visually and mechanically honest. It is a motorcycle for rolling pace, engine rhythm and visual presence, not for chasing sportbike corner speed.

Identification and Originality

The key identification point is the model designation: FXD35, the 35th Anniversary Super Glide. Collectors use the formal FXD35 code and the market phrase “35th Anniversary Super Glide” interchangeably, but the code matters when verifying paperwork, service records and insurance documentation. A motorcycle merely painted in anniversary colors is not the same thing as a factory FXD35.

Because the FXD35 is a commemorative model, originality is concentrated in parts that owners frequently change: fuel tank and fenders, side covers, seat, exhaust, air cleaner, handlebar, mirrors, lighting, wheels and small anniversary badges or trim. Surviving bikes are often fitted with performance exhausts, high-flow air cleaners, aftermarket seats, detachable windshields, saddlebags or lowered suspension. Those changes may improve everyday use, but they reduce the evidentiary clarity of an anniversary model unless the original parts are retained.

Paint and graphics deserve close scrutiny. The FXD35’s anniversary presentation is central to its identity, so mismatched tins, repaint work or reproduction decals should be evaluated carefully. Factory documentation, the original owner’s manual packet, sales invoice, warranty records, numbered or anniversary-specific material where present, and consistent VIN/title records all carry more weight than verbal claims.

On modern Harley-Davidsons, the steering-head VIN and title paperwork are the first order of business. Engine numbers, frame markings and federal labels should show no signs of tampering, restamping or replacement-frame ambiguity. Avoid unsupported decoding shortcuts: if there is doubt, consult Harley-Davidson records, dealer documentation or a marque specialist familiar with 2006 Dyna model codes.

Model Code and Variant Breakdown

The FXD35 sits among several 2006 Dyna variants that are easily confused in casual listings. The following comparison is not a complete history of every Dyna, but it identifies the models most likely to appear in the same searches or buying decisions.

This is where many classified ads become muddy. A 2006 Dyna with a Twin Cam 88 and six-speed is not automatically an FXD35, and an anniversary-style repaint does not create one. The model code, factory equipment and documentation have to agree.

Performance and Dimensional Specifications

Harley-Davidson did not sell the FXD35 on sport-motorcycle performance figures, and factory horsepower was not the headline specification. Period road tests and dyno sheets can be useful for understanding real-world performance, but they should not be confused with factory specifications because exhaust, intake calibration and tune make large differences on Twin Cam motorcycles.

The meaningful performance facts are qualitative and mechanical: 1450 cc displacement, rubber-mounted Twin Cam torque, belt final drive and the 2006 six-speed transmission. Published weight, wheelbase and other dimensional figures for 2006 Dyna models appear in factory and period specification sheets, but buyers should verify figures against the exact market and equipment package of the motorcycle under consideration. Accessories such as engine guards, windshields, luggage and aftermarket exhausts can alter real curb weight and feel substantially.

Compared With Related Models

FXD35 vs. 2006 FXD Super Glide

The ordinary 2006 FXD Super Glide is the mechanical baseline. It shares the Dyna platform, Twin Cam 88 family and six-speed context, but it lacks the FXD35’s anniversary identity. For riders who want a usable Dyna without worrying about preserving special paint or trim, the standard FXD can be the more rational motorcycle. For collectors, the FXD35 has the stronger paper trail and the more focused historical story.

FXD35 vs. 1971 FX Super Glide

The 1971 FX is the origin point, not a direct mechanical predecessor in the modern sense. The early FX used Shovelhead-era big-twin architecture and period chassis thinking, and its controversial boat-tail styling belongs to a very different Harley-Davidson moment. The FXD35 references that motorcycle’s place in history rather than recreating its engineering.

FXD35 vs. 2006 FXDBI Street Bob

The Street Bob also arrived in the 2006 Dyna family and is often cross-shopped by riders interested in lean Dynas. Its appeal is blacked-out minimalism and a bobber-influenced stance. The FXD35 is more collectible in the anniversary sense; the Street Bob is more important as the beginning of a later Dyna subculture that prized stripped styling and club-bike modification.

FXD35 vs. 2007 Dyna Super Glide Models

The 2007 Dyna line moved to the larger Twin Cam 96 and became a different mechanical proposition. Buyers who want the bigger factory displacement often look beyond 2006. Those who specifically want the six-speed chassis paired with the last Twin Cam 88 Dyna year tend to focus on 2006, and the FXD35 is the collector-grade version of that moment.

Restoration and Ownership Notes

Mechanically, the FXD35 benefits from broad Twin Cam and Dyna parts support. Wear items, service parts, drivetrain components, brake parts and suspension service pieces are readily supported through Harley-Davidson dealers, aftermarket suppliers and independent specialists. That makes the bike far easier to keep correct mechanically than many older limited-production Harleys.

The challenge is not rebuilding a Twin Cam 88; it is keeping the anniversary identity intact. Correct tins, original paint, graphics, badging and model-specific presentation are far more important to collector value than bolt-on engine dress-up parts. A modified FXD35 can still be a good motorcycle, but a complete original or sympathetically preserved example occupies a different tier.

The major Twin Cam-era inspection issue is cam-chain tensioner condition. Early-style spring-loaded tensioner shoes are a known service concern on Twin Cam 88 engines, and inspection records or documented updates matter. Buyers should also check primary adjustment, clutch function, charging system health, belt and pulley condition, rubber mounts, swingarm alignment, wheel bearings, fork seals and evidence of accident repairs or cosmetic replacement.

Exhaust and intake modifications are common. A louder pipe and high-flow air cleaner without correct carburetor jetting or EFI calibration can produce poor running, heat, detonation or drivability complaints. A stock or well-documented tune is preferable to mystery performance parts.

Buyer and Restoration Inspection Points

The FXD35 should be inspected both as a Dyna and as a limited anniversary model. The table below separates ordinary mechanical condition from the details that determine whether the motorcycle still deserves to be treated as a collector-grade FXD35.

A clean FXD35 does not have to be a trailer queen, but it should make sense as a package. The more the motorcycle has been customized, the more important it becomes to verify the underlying model identity and the availability of original parts.

Collector and Market Relevance

The FXD35 appeals to a narrower but better-informed audience than ordinary used Dynas. Its buyers are usually drawn by three things: the Super Glide origin story, the 2006-only anniversary model status, and the final-year Twin Cam 88 Dyna specification paired with the six-speed gearbox. That combination gives it more historical texture than a standard mid-2000s cruiser.

Rarity should be discussed carefully. The FXD35 is commonly described as a limited 3,500-unit anniversary production model, which makes it scarcer than regular-production Dyna Super Glides. It is not, however, rare in the way prewar Harleys or homologation racers are rare; its collector status depends heavily on originality, documentation and condition.

Collectors typically value stock presentation, correct anniversary finishes, low alteration, complete records and mechanical integrity. A high-mileage but carefully maintained FXD35 with original parts can be more compelling than a low-mileage example covered in non-reversible accessories. The model’s custom-culture relationship cuts both ways: Dynas invite personalization, but the FXD35 rewards restraint.

Cultural Relevance

The FXD35 has no serious racing or military identity, and pretending otherwise would miss the point. Its cultural relevance is factory custom culture. The motorcycle commemorates the moment Harley-Davidson began selling a form of customization that riders had been creating in garages, small shops and club circles.

The Dyna platform later became deeply associated with performance-oriented Harley street culture, especially in club-style builds using improved suspension, brakes, mid-controls, fairings and engine work. The FXD35 predates the full mainstreaming of that Dyna performance aesthetic, and because of its anniversary status it is usually best preserved rather than heavily converted. Still, it belongs to the same broad lineage: a big twin stripped closer to the rider, less formal than a dresser, less theatrical than a long-fork custom.

Its connection to the 1971 FX also keeps Willie G. Davidson’s design influence in the conversation. The first Super Glide was not universally loved at introduction, but its concept became one of Harley-Davidson’s most durable commercial ideas. The FXD35 exists because that idea had survived long enough to deserve its own anniversary motorcycle.

FAQs

What is the 2006 Harley-Davidson FXD35 Super Glide?

The FXD35 is the 35th Anniversary Super Glide, a limited 2006 Dyna-family model built to commemorate the 1971 FX Super Glide. It uses the Twin Cam 88 engine, the 2006 Dyna chassis and the six-speed Cruise Drive transmission.

How many FXD35 Super Glide 35th Anniversary models were built?

The FXD35 is commonly cited as a limited-production 3,500-unit anniversary model. As with any limited Harley-Davidson, buyers should verify the individual motorcycle through documentation rather than relying solely on seller description.

What engine is in the 2006 FXD35?

It uses Harley-Davidson’s air-cooled Twin Cam 88, a 1450 cc 45-degree OHV V-twin with two valves per cylinder and hydraulic lifters. In the Dyna chassis the engine is rubber-mounted.

Is the FXD35 fuel injected or carbureted?

Model-code practice in the period often used an “I” suffix to identify injected Harley-Davidson variants, while FXD35 is commonly presented without that suffix. Because market specifications and owner changes can complicate the issue, verify the actual motorcycle’s induction equipment, original paperwork and VIN/model records before purchase.

What makes the FXD35 different from a standard 2006 FXD Super Glide?

The mechanical base is closely related, but the FXD35 is the 35th Anniversary version with special commemorative identity and trim. Its collector value depends on genuine FXD35 status, correct anniversary presentation and documentation.

What are the main known mechanical concerns on a Twin Cam 88 FXD35?

The most important engine concern is cam-chain tensioner wear, a known Twin Cam 88 service issue. Buyers should also inspect the primary drive, clutch adjustment, rubber mounts, belt drive, charging system, fork seals and the quality of any intake or exhaust modifications.

Is the FXD35 a good restoration candidate?

Mechanically, yes, because Twin Cam Dyna support is strong. Cosmetically, restoration can be more difficult if anniversary paint, badges, tins or original take-off parts are missing. A complete original example is usually a better collector proposition than a heavily customized one requiring expensive cosmetic reversal.

Collector Takeaway

The 2006 FXD35 Super Glide 35th Anniversary is not important because it is the fastest Dyna, the rarest Harley, or the most radical custom to leave Milwaukee. It matters because it marks the Super Glide’s central idea at a mechanically specific moment: the last Twin Cam 88 Dyna year, the first six-speed Dyna generation, and a factory nod to the 1971 FX that made the showroom custom a Harley-Davidson business strategy.

For the rider, it is a usable rubber-mounted big twin with broad parts support and real highway competence. For the collector, it is a documentation-and-originality motorcycle: paint, trim, badges, paperwork and unmodified condition matter more than chrome catalog additions. The best examples are the ones that still look like Harley-Davidson intended them to look in 2006, not the ones that tried to become another generic modified Dyna.

In the larger Super Glide story, the FXD35 is a footnote with unusually sharp edges. It connects Willie G.’s first FX experiment to the modern Dyna era, and it does so in a specification that lasted only briefly. That is enough to make it worth preserving carefully.