I have an 88 Evo that needs some attention. I have 83 Shovel that needs some attention. Once those are done I’ll be looking for a Panhead to either buy or restore. I hope I can find a 1953 same year my Father was born.
Great video. Glad I found you. (Liked and subscribed) I bought a 1955 FL in 1967. It was only twelve years old but it was totally worn out and and everything about it was in need of something. Mostly replacement. It was a sad machine with too many miles with no attention and then left out back to die. A cop bike that I took home for $155! I was twenty years old, in the USAF without much income so I took the path of least resistance. Everything needing replacement that didn't make it go or stop was removed. It began its new life as a chopper. Over the next couple of decades it received all of the TLC I could give it. I'll not bore you with the details, but it's quick, reliable and looks good doing it. Currently we've been together 57 years! I'm 77 and also have received some replacement parts of my own. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ride that beautiful Panhead that I know has a heart of gold for the last five years. It's unlikely that I will ever be able to ride it again. I do spend some time with it and we talk about things we've done together. Good times! Good memories!
@groove2ube Full disclosure- I had to see this bike so I found you on social media... That bike is bad-ass. Beautiful, you've done it justice for sure. Great backstory.... Be well
My Grandpa’ s 61 was blue & white. He bought it new & rode it until he was 78. He rode it to the Yucatán of Mexico from Texas with two other buddies on panheads & was going to fairy it into Cuba, but they were denied. I could hear him coming 1/4 mile away when I was a kid waiting at home for him to pick me up for our usual 2hour ride to the lake. Ride free Grandpa! God Bless.
When I was coming up in the early 70's the older guys were all riding pans. I always remember one in particular. It was a cammed up pan on a rigid frame, long springer, jockey shift, spring loaded clutch pedal, no front brake, and pullback bars so tight that his knuckles almost touched. I remember him with one hand on the throttle, one on the shifter, the thing jumping and bouncing around belching fire. It was awesome! I was always so impressed that he could hold on to it. Ah, the good old days. I have ridden a few pans but not in many years.
I had found a 1965 Panhead basket case in the 80's and sold my brand new 1985 Evo FXRS(?) to buy a truckload of Panhead "bits". After sorting it all out and labeling and cleaning this fantastic find, I bought new jugs, pistons and modified the heads. Then the fun started: I installed a covered belt primary drive, together with a vented outer primary cover, shimmed it perfectly with a strip of glass, a Barnet 5-stud clutch with a solid aluminum end plate went in there too. A Sifton 440 cam, S&S Pumper E, I modified the ridiculous pipe-to-head affair by drilling and tapping the head flange and fitting bolts to keep the exhaust on *the bike* and off the road. A neat 2 into 1 Jammer 4" out-turned chromed stytem. I also welded an aluminum tab on the front fork lower and fixed a PM front disc brake to stop safely. New front fork springs, heavier fork oil too. The whole bike was powder coated black; frame, 3.5g original tanks, fenders, a custom made black leather seat too, as it had no seat. Sure, it was not stock, but it looked nice and rode perfectly, kept up with friend's Evos, plus things could be reversed to stock if the need really arose, as I had many stock parts. As I bought it, shortly after getting married, it was "ours". I lost it in my divorce having to sell it. A Harley dealer bought it in New Hampshire so it went to a good home I hope. NOTHING made the bitch happier than getting half of that bike. Her lawyer even demanded a financial statement from my father, 2 months after losing my mother to see if anything more could be had from an inheritance. (He changed his will at that point, to a good friend of mine). I really miss that bike, but the bike will live forever in one form or another. She will not.
You can put a belt primary on a panhead as well as a belt final drive and the bike will be as smooth as a BMW. I love the fact that you can buy a brand-new Panhead motor from S&S as well as a flathead and a knuckle and a shovel and an Evolution as well.
Don't forget, going to a belt allows you to remove the primary chains breather snorkel drip oiler so ya don't leave as big a spot wherever ya park. A good o-ring chain allows you to turn off & remove the rear chain oiler from the oil pump too.
Yes you can, but it is by no means a simple "bolt in" modification! To avoid belt breakage and/or rubber "dust" in the clutch and all around the inside of the outer primary, requires leveling the transmission between the engine sprocket and clutch basket 'sprocket" with a strip of glass a few thou less than the belt width, (simple to make and cut). The shimming and tightening of the transmission, will also test your repertoire of expletives! The primary will need airvents too for airflow, as a rubber belt generates much heat. I cannot see any real advantage of installing a belt final drive though; as final gearing modification, simple rear wheel removal and strength are improved with a chain, and today's chains are far superior to those of old. The "smooth" excuse merely means the rider should maybe stick with an automatic car...
@@Dodger2879 they have had Bell Drive final drive and primary conversions for old Harley Motors since the late 60s and early 70s. Disheveled head I rode with belt primary and belt final drive the bike was smooth as silk.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 I know that! I've been fitting them since the 70's! A belt final drive just means you are somewhat limited with gearing if you wish to change the final drive ratio. A belt primary is smooth though. I installed one on my 1965 Pan with a 5 stud Barnet and solid aluminum end plate. How long they have been available, has nothing to do with anything though, respectfully. "In The Beginning" Hederson had a leather drive belt to the rear wheel, that being so, does not mean we should all go out and fit one! A quality correctly adjusted O-ring chain really has no negatives. That is why the 1984 Evo Softail is now desirable! A kicker and chain is usefull, but not as pretty. The 4 stock speed transmission was a bit of a shame though. But for Credit Card Bikers the final belt system has no equal.
@@Dodger2879 I have almost 400,000 Mi on my 1999 Sportster and it is on its third belt I would have gone through so many sets of change and sprockets to go through that amount of miles. Is much cheaper to have a belt drive for long distance high mileage riding then continually change and sprockets moving and cleaning and adjusting. The only thing better than a belt drive is a shaft drive.
I have 57 panhead hydra glide was my dads with around 42000 miles on it sat for 44 years in garage, I've been working on it for 3 years and put it on the road last year . Starts with one kick after priming, Love it......
I had a '52 Panhead. The engine itself didn't leak that much, but it had an adjustable oil dripper system that lubricated the primary chain. There was a drain hole in the bottom of the inner primary cover to let the excess oil drain out. Yes, it marked its spot when parked. 😃
I will never part with mine until it goes to my son when I take a "dirt nap." I ride my 1949 EL Panhead three to four times a week nowadays. I'm not getting any younger as I'm in my sixties. She takes 1 to 2 kicks to start. She's pushing more than 60 horsepower for sure. Tank shift/ foot clutch, I run a 1 1/2" closed belt primary, STD heads, S&S Super E carb, Mallory electronic distributor.( I have all the stock stuff too put away including the original style pushrods with the lifters built into top of the pushrods) I am running stock drum brakes front and rear. She runs like a scalded ass ape, stopping.....you have to plan a little bit. The brakes work okay but they fade a bit unlike my '96 Evo disc brakes.
I had a pan head as a high school kid and we were going to ride from Washington DC to California, no maps not much money no rain suits or nothing made it to Arizona and my buddies were worn out and wanted to go home but I never broke down on that old pan head , lost a lot of parts that vibrated off and oil leaked out but I made it that was a good old bike
Back in the day , I bought a 50 panhead fl , and I had to buy it , and it took me several weeks , to learn , just how to ride this old bike ! But once I had ole bessy , down , I could ride that bike , like it was part of my body ! It was a hard tail frame , all stock , with all the tabes , and I loved that bike , and rode her over a decade and a half . But it had issues little tiny spoon seat ,so my back took the worst of it ,and today l am all crippled up , but that was the price of riding her , she was fast , had a cam , great carb , but it had a jockey shift , foot clutch , and I wish I could find it , and I would put her back to where she was when I had her ! I miss her as she took me places , I couldn’t get to , and never let me down !
What a nice father's day treat ,my beloved 1964 panhead duo glide and I thank you ,note ,after WW 2 there was a surplus of aluminum from scrapping airplanes Detroit starting using it ,Harley followed ,yes with the panhead ,top end oiling starting in 49 was thru the cylinders ,oil cookers . In 1962 ( or around ) the panhead went back to external oil lines like the knuckles ,and later on shovels ,returning thru pushrod tubes . Really enjoyed your video ,last week I finally replaced manifold O rings after 40 years ,thank you as always Panheads forever ,jp
I work at Hill's performance in Ney, Ohio which is a independent Harley Davidson shop. We restore all old Harley's during the winter and do repair work during riding season. Have done a few pan head's over the winter amongst the others we have waiting to be done. Always enjoy your content 😊
I always thought the panhead was the most beautiful engine Harley ever made. Maybe it's from watching easy Rider over and over again all these years but I would certainly love to own one in my lifetime.
Pan was the most innovative engine,,, hydraulic lifters front and rear shocks from rigid and springer , and electric start cab breaks to juice breaks. And lots more.
I've owned 3 Panheads. A 1949FL, a 1950FL and an EL with a 1941 Knucklehead motor number restamped on the case. In 1971 build a 74 chopper combining the 1949 and EL motor parts and 49 frame and then stupidly sold the leftover frame, parts and 49 cases. A couple years later I bought the 50FL basket case and built a stock sidecar machine out of it with reverse gear and adjustable fork for winter riding. My brother has it now. The chopper I put back to stock condition in 1974 using all original parts and made it look like a 1950 Hydra-Glide model -- the best looking Panhead of them all IMHO. It has 4x18" wheels instead of fat 16's for a better look and handling. Leather saddlebags and a windscreen. And although it's a 74, it still has the restamped 1941 EL motor number, which does detract from its collector value. Years ago the motor developed a bad knock and it's been sitting in a shed under a canvas tarp ever since.
I'm no longer a young guy. In the late 70's, traded a car for a near all original 55 Hydroglide. Farmer who bought the bike new in 55 had moved everything over to a 58 Duoglide frame to get the smoother ride. Owned a lot of bikes since then but that Panhead was the best looking of all.
Great video! I didn't know anything about the Pan Head, but I have a lot more respect for it now. Could you also do videos on the Knuckle Head and Shovel Head engines as well? I love nostalgia!
@@GixxerFoo the shops were mostly really small. Where I was the local dealer had three bikes a big twin and a couple different Sportsters on the floor. Wouldn’t work on anything not stock. Wouldn’t change a tire on a custom. I still liked those shops better than these huge boutique dealerships. I ride a Shovelhead so they don’t have much I need. Support your local independent bike shop.
i owned a 1958 panhead. lived it to thee maxx, but boy was it ever hard to start, i recc one if carry a HD shop Maual & tools w you,,,,, same w shovelheads too,,, luv em both !
Alloy aluminum engines are known for valve clatter, there is nothing you can do about that; but I would trade a little more engine noise knowing that my engine was running 50% cooler than a cast-iron version.
Yeah...ever hear of hydraulic lifters? Harley did . Thats what was done about it. Harley even tried hydraulic 'push rods' before that. Didn't work so good. But, "nothin' you can do about it"? Pick up a book, or better yet, buy a Pan and take it apart. Sounds like you got alot to learn.
My Ironhead, years ago, running 10/1 compression never even came close to running as hot as the Twin Cam I last rode! You keep your alloy crap! You're welcome to them!
Great video ! Thank you, sir! I enjoy my 61 FLH Panhead very much. I also have a 98 Evo. They are both easy to work on, and Its obvious that they are closely related!
Got a 61’ pan over here at the garage . All original and been sitting. 6volt . A bear to kick . Maybe I’m just older now.😁 carb float bad . Alcohol- anyways pops but no start . Parts on the way and a new knee . 😁 ✊🏻👍👌 nice vid -
I have a 53, 58,and a 61. Mine are all choppers. No I didn't chop a beautiful FLH. They were choppers languishing in boneyards when I bought them. But I love ol school chops and don't care about collector value. Cast iron by the way actually is more efficient once it reaches operating Temps or so I have read and been told. Some things are not very efficient on these pans like check out the t shaped intake manifold and think about the air fuel mix getting in the engine . Lol. Regardless an old pan is fun to ride ,easy to work on . Mine have electronic ignition and S&S carbs. Andrew's gears. 1st and 3rd gear back cut. All the old school performance stuff. No inner or outer primary since they are kick only. Wanna adjust the primary ? Unbolt the trans and slide it back. Simplicity at its finest. Kick only. No turn signals, no front brake . No front fender. They aren't fast no big deal. I can cruise at 80 mph though. Low ,long and loud and fun. Ol school.
The knucklehead was the origin, and it all ended when the evo ended. The twin cam did not evolve from the evo, it was designed to look like a Harley motor and to some extent sound like one, but experienced people know it can never sound the same. The newer Harleys, in my view, are facsimiles of Harleys. Incidentally the Panhead ended with the 1965 model year, not the late 1960's, and the 65 was the only year with electric start. Pans and shovels are not hard to find. If you want a rare version and/or museum piece be prepared to pay, but you can get reasonable examples for reasonable prices today. I am stunned that you seem to champion the engine but seem to disregard choppers or engines not in their original frame. Why is that so if you are praising the engine? The low demand market keeps the prices down except on real collectible examples, most modern Harley riders may idealize or fantasize about a panhead but they aren't really serious buyers. They want a fuel injected electronic ignition bike with a warranty and they think that bolting on accessories makes a custom bike. They aren't prepared to deal with tuning a bike with a carb and points. When they wash it and change their quick release sissy bar they say they have been working on their bike. But they have a poster in their garage of Captain America from the Easy Rider movie. And they got a model of a panhead for Christmas, maybe even with Santa sitting on it.
Some people will never understand things like setting the points on a mag with a cigarette paper adjusting a carb on the fly or operating a foot clutch. Some of us still ride these though and are passing knowledge to the next generation
So damn true. I'd like to print this out and frame it. When the wife tells me I'm a asshole and wants to know why I don't like this person or that person, I'll point to this.
@@wingwang007 Yeah? What's wrong with that? I dig the 110SE motor in it even though I prefer older bikes. I got it for $7300 after I totaled a Road King three years ago. I put 10.25" shocks on it (200$ custom made), Danny Gray butt crack seat (used $100), took off the tour pak, put a tall hippie sissy bar on it, etc. It's a 2007 and is the newest bike I have ever owned. I also have an 87 Softail that's chopped. My other bikes are 85, 81, 78, 75, including a Triumph chopper. Both my knees have the cartilage torn up from kick starting big bikes, I can't really do it anymore.
@@wingwang007 Yup. So? It's a 2007 that I got for $7300 three years ago, and still books for like 13 grand today, great deal. Newest bike I have ever owned. Bought it to replace a Road King I totaled. I do a lot of miles for an organization I am patched in, so it served well. Blew out both my knees, can't kick start anymore. I also have a chopped 87 Softail, classic Triumph chopper (kicker so it sits now), as well as an XS650, chopped 75 CB500T in a AEE Choppers "digger" frame. Why are you concerned that I have a CVO? It has the tour pak removed, tall hippie sissy bar, Danny Gray butt crack seat, 10.25 inch custom made shocks, etc. It's not exactly a geezer glide. Why does it bother you that I have a CVO? I still say it is a facsimile of a Harley. The last true Harley was the Evo.
I was wondering here about 3 minutes in, you show a Pan with cut away tins and carb. What's with the white rockers' carb and push rods? I haven't done work on many A 1950 and my current 1965 chopper that I took out of service 7 years ago. I hope to go through her this winter and replace the front end for a Duce to get a disk front brake (the chrome is a bonus). Not to steal any of your thunder but I have been watching Pacific mike lately and thought you might want to check him out. Pans, Knucks, and Shovels. I've tuned into you for a wile and love your stuff on Twinkie's but that was incase my oldest stepson 44yrs. could use any suggestions regarding maintenance updates and repairs. But he just rides and leaves the work to other people in his club. I don't think any of them know about you. I don't understand I don't understand some of the younger " bikers " they're just not motorcycle enthusiasts as well. I still get a kick out of your father riding a V-rod. I have one too.
Funny, 60 horsepower in the late 50's. And in 1999 o bought a softail custom with the 80" evo and she was making a mind blowing 60hp! What it was at the tire? But once I swapped out my exhaust for straight pipes, high lift cam, 95" jugs and a bigger carb and S&S air cleaner😎. And there i was, king of the block with a 80 or 90hp monster! Today my 114 is supposed to be about 90hp stock in my RG limited. No plans to modify it, im getting 45mpg 2 up! Factory this bike should be 120hp. HD, still 20 years behind the times🤦 Just give us full liquid cooled bikes! Overhead cams or camless technology! Yes, intake and exhaust valves can be servo driven like a fuel injector. Completely operated from the computer.... imagine changing the lift and duration from a software map! Thats freedom right there! Going on a long ride... need fuel economy! Poker run, need power!
The frame was butchered by the factory to accommodate the huge battery required by the electric starter and this resulted in worst and poor handling. AMF saved Harley-Davidson and spent 7 million dollars to build the engine plant so Harley can build more motorcycles streamline production, but you're in the 70s you had in a lot of Industries employee sabotage of the products in order to get back at the company for Revenge. Haha no second gear, I get paid $4 an hour to fuck shit up this is the type of stuff that Harley dealers would have to rectify when they got bikes from the factory let's not forget in the old days if you ran a motorcycle shop and you because you were enthusiastic for the brand you sure didn't do it to make money.
Thank you very much for sharing this very important historic and yet up to date information with us! Please by all means; More of this ! Some of us: me, me me ! is getting historically hungry, especially when you can make the jump to the available tech of today's "modern" motors ;-) like the Twincam or even the M8.
I’m looking for advice. I have a 59’ panhead that has been sitting around since I was 8 years old (I’m 22 now). I want more than anything to fix it up and make it the way I want it. Any suggestions on how I should go about that? From what I understand it was running right before it was given to me, but that’s been a while. Thank you to anyone for advice
I could have that bike running in less then in hour if it's all there and not tampered with. Check for compression in both cylinders. Check for spark at the spark plugs. If no spark ,check for voltage may need new points and condenser in distributor or new coil . Check to see if your getting fuel at the carburetor if no fuel you most likely need to clean the carburetor or turn the fuel valve on at the gas tank. If you have compression, spark , and fuel to both cylinders the engine will run. Good luck
In the early 70's I had a 51 Pan until someone stole it. Then I got a 49 Pan. I remember most about the sound was the rocker covers sounded like bongo drums. As far as the overall 'feel' my 2003 Twinkie is very reminiscent of the Pan. Not as vibey though.
Like I said before you the coolest tech guy on UA-cam , keep it going, I just want to ask you again if you had any video on EVO lifter change after 40,000
Yes, I own 2 Pans. 1 original and 1 Kustom. But if the Panhead was the father, the Knucklehead was the OHV grandfather. Same basic bottom end. The Timken cones on the new crank, and Torringtons on the inner cam journal didn't come out till '55. If not for WWII, the Knuck might have got a bit more sophisticated. In fact, it took the hot rodders of the day a while to get their Pans up to the performance on the hot 74" & 80" Knucks. The aluminum material used in the original Panheads was garbage. The combustion chamber dome was too thin, and the valve seats were too close to the spark plug holes. They tried more fins thru the years, but the material and sand/gravity casting process was still poor. Try to find a set that isn't cracked between plug hole and seats. And did you ever study the intake tract? When I was gonna rebuild my 1950 motor into a stroker, the cases were full of spider cracks. Same with the heads. Too many temp cycles for that crude cast aluminum. So I went with STD heads and cases and filled them with an S&S 93HC Sidewinder kit. The STD head had lots of modern aluminum alloy to dissipate the heat. They used the standard 1.5:1 Pan rockers (I used Baisley roller rockers in mine) and had a big improved Shovelhead intake manifold and tract. Mine were ported w/oversize valves and really outflowed Evo heads.
The cases were aluminum, the cylinder barrels were cast iron, with aluminum heads. There were five bolts through the cylinder barrel into the aluminum head.
My buddy owned a shop here in Houston back in the '80s called Union Cycle salvage. He tried to find me a pan for a couple years. They are like hen's teeth.
There is a guy running around in my town with a basically stock 63 panhead it's his daily driver you see him all the time around town I've talked to him about it he says you can get parts for it so why change it he's been riding that bike since high school he's in his 60s
The British has been using alloy has and alloy cylinders for ten years before Harley put those on the Panhead. Are smaller bikes made more horsepower ran hotter so they went to aluminum to disperse the Heat.
EPA and emissions, the stock Evo engines were really choked down with restrictive exhaust, flat ignition mapping, lean carb tuning and a compromise of a cam.
There was a road test in the old cycle magazine where they had the suspension and they were talking about the Panhead motor and how the fins were extended to make it run cooler and I quote it runs as cool as in ice man's shoulder. The 61 was so much easier to kick over than the 74 it was much smoother too.
Two on my bench now. A Johnny Cash special and an untouched 1950. One is like a jigsaw puzzle, the other, a time capsule. The racers of the Era, your Pete Hill, Joe Smith kind of badasses never used the Pan cylinder heads as they could make the Knuckle outperform them, easily. Pete running as quick as 7.09 @191 mph on the Knuckle.
Have you ever had the opportunity to experience riding a Panhead powered Harley-Davidson?
Awesome work GixxerFoo 💪
Keep Living the FUCKING Dream
Safe travels 🙏❣️
💪🇦🇺💪
I have an 88 Evo that needs some attention. I have 83 Shovel that needs some attention. Once those are done I’ll be looking for a Panhead to either buy or restore. I hope I can find a 1953 same year my Father was born.
Three or four days a week.
I have a 65 chopper and it is a very easy motor to work on and they run great
Yes, owned a 63 duo-glide, ain’t felt right since I had to sell it
Great video. Glad I found you. (Liked and subscribed)
I bought a 1955 FL in 1967. It was only twelve years old but it was totally worn out and and everything about it was in need of something. Mostly replacement. It was a sad machine with too many miles with no attention and then left out back to die. A cop bike that I took home for $155! I was twenty years old, in the USAF without much income so I took the path of least resistance. Everything needing replacement that didn't make it go or stop was removed. It began its new life as a chopper. Over the next couple of decades it received all of the TLC I could give it. I'll not bore you with the details, but it's quick, reliable and looks good doing it. Currently we've been together 57 years! I'm 77 and also have received some replacement parts of my own. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ride that beautiful Panhead that I know has a heart of gold for the last five years. It's unlikely that I will ever be able to ride it again. I do spend some time with it and we talk about things we've done together. Good times! Good memories!
Thank you! We appreciate the support over here! Those Harleys are just timeless and you can make them run forever making them anything you want!
@groove2ube Full disclosure- I had to see this bike so I found you on social media... That bike is bad-ass. Beautiful, you've done it justice for sure. Great backstory.... Be well
@@Riff156Thanks! That bike is my oldest friend.
My Grandpa’ s 61 was blue & white. He bought it new & rode it until he was 78. He rode it to the Yucatán of Mexico from Texas with two other buddies on panheads & was going to fairy it into Cuba, but they were denied. I could hear him coming 1/4 mile away when I was a kid waiting at home for him to pick me up for our usual 2hour ride to the lake. Ride free Grandpa! God Bless.
That's awesome! That blue and white is awesome, that new Revival series Harley brought back looks very close to the original Pan Head.
@@GixxerFoo yeah it does!
I wanna be like your Grandpa man! The most interesting man in the world! Ride on!
When I was coming up in the early 70's the older guys were all riding pans. I always remember one in particular. It was a cammed up pan on a rigid frame, long springer, jockey shift, spring loaded clutch pedal, no front brake, and pullback bars so tight that his knuckles almost touched. I remember him with one hand on the throttle, one on the shifter, the thing jumping and bouncing around belching fire. It was awesome! I was always so impressed that he could hold on to it. Ah, the good old days. I have ridden a few pans but not in many years.
You just don't see anything like that anymore, I see a few Shovels these days but rarely a Pan.
@@GixxerFoo Istill ride a 54 Pan i would send you a pic but not sure where to send it
Yep, a straight pedal clutch, no rocker, one ya gotta keep yer foot on, is what a 'suicide clutch' really is.
yes it is surprising how many people dont know that
I had found a 1965 Panhead basket case in the 80's and sold my brand new 1985 Evo FXRS(?) to buy a truckload of Panhead "bits". After sorting it all out and labeling and cleaning this fantastic find, I bought new jugs, pistons and modified the heads. Then the fun started:
I installed a covered belt primary drive, together with a vented outer primary cover, shimmed it perfectly with a strip of glass, a Barnet 5-stud clutch with a solid aluminum end plate went in there too.
A Sifton 440 cam, S&S Pumper E, I modified the ridiculous pipe-to-head affair by drilling and tapping the head flange and fitting bolts to keep the exhaust on *the bike* and off the road. A neat 2 into 1 Jammer 4" out-turned chromed stytem. I also welded an aluminum tab on the front fork lower and fixed a PM front disc brake to stop safely. New front fork springs, heavier fork oil too.
The whole bike was powder coated black; frame, 3.5g original tanks, fenders, a custom made black leather seat too, as it had no seat.
Sure, it was not stock, but it looked nice and rode perfectly, kept up with friend's Evos, plus things could be reversed to stock if the need really arose, as I had many stock parts.
As I bought it, shortly after getting married, it was "ours". I lost it in my divorce having to sell it. A Harley dealer bought it in New Hampshire so it went to a good home I hope.
NOTHING made the bitch happier than getting half of that bike. Her lawyer even demanded a financial statement from my father, 2 months after losing my mother to see if anything more could be had from an inheritance. (He changed his will at that point, to a good friend of mine).
I really miss that bike, but the bike will live forever in one form or another. She will not.
I had to buy back 3 bikes I already paid for.
You can put a belt primary on a panhead as well as a belt final drive and the bike will be as smooth as a BMW. I love the fact that you can buy a brand-new Panhead motor from S&S as well as a flathead and a knuckle and a shovel and an Evolution as well.
Don't forget, going to a belt allows you to remove the primary chains breather snorkel drip oiler so ya don't leave as big a spot wherever ya park. A good o-ring chain allows you to turn off & remove the rear chain oiler from the oil pump too.
Yes you can, but it is by no means a simple "bolt in" modification!
To avoid belt breakage and/or rubber "dust" in the clutch and all around the inside of the outer primary, requires leveling the transmission between the engine sprocket and clutch basket 'sprocket" with a strip of glass a few thou less than the belt width, (simple to make and cut). The shimming and tightening of the transmission, will also test your repertoire of expletives!
The primary will need airvents too for airflow, as a rubber belt generates much heat.
I cannot see any real advantage of installing a belt final drive though; as final gearing modification, simple rear wheel removal and strength are improved with a chain, and today's chains are far superior to those of old.
The "smooth" excuse merely means the rider should maybe stick with an automatic car...
@@Dodger2879 they have had Bell Drive final drive and primary conversions for old Harley Motors since the late 60s and early 70s. Disheveled head I rode with belt primary and belt final drive the bike was smooth as silk.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459
I know that! I've been fitting them since the 70's!
A belt final drive just means you are somewhat limited with gearing if you wish to change the final drive ratio. A belt primary is smooth though. I installed one on my 1965 Pan with a 5 stud Barnet and solid aluminum end plate.
How long they have been available, has nothing to do with anything though, respectfully.
"In The Beginning" Hederson had a leather drive belt to the rear wheel, that being so, does not mean we should all go out and fit one!
A quality correctly adjusted O-ring chain really has no negatives. That is why the 1984 Evo Softail is now desirable! A kicker and chain is usefull, but not as pretty. The 4 stock speed transmission was a bit of a shame though.
But for Credit Card Bikers the final belt system has no equal.
@@Dodger2879 I have almost 400,000 Mi on my 1999 Sportster and it is on its third belt I would have gone through so many sets of change and sprockets to go through that amount of miles. Is much cheaper to have a belt drive for long distance high mileage riding then continually change and sprockets moving and cleaning and adjusting. The only thing better than a belt drive is a shaft drive.
I have 57 panhead hydra glide was my dads with around 42000 miles on it sat for 44 years in garage, I've been working on it for 3 years and put it on the road last year . Starts with one kick after priming, Love it......
I had a '52 Panhead. The engine itself didn't leak that much, but it had an adjustable oil dripper system that lubricated the primary chain. There was a drain hole in the bottom of the inner primary cover to let the excess oil drain out. Yes, it marked its spot when parked. 😃
I will never part with mine until it goes to my son when I take a "dirt nap." I ride my 1949 EL Panhead three to four times a week nowadays. I'm not getting any younger as I'm in my sixties. She takes 1 to 2 kicks to start. She's pushing more than 60 horsepower for sure. Tank shift/ foot clutch, I run a 1 1/2" closed belt primary, STD heads, S&S Super E carb, Mallory electronic distributor.( I have all the stock stuff too put away including the original style pushrods with the lifters built into top of the pushrods) I am running stock drum brakes front and rear. She runs like a scalded ass ape, stopping.....you have to plan a little bit. The brakes work okay but they fade a bit unlike my '96 Evo disc brakes.
That is awesome! Those are unicorns these days, especially since you still have the factory parts!
Awesome!
May it live Forever!!😊
After getting out of the Navy in '71 bought 2 sportsters then found a '55 panhead what fun!!!
I had a pan head as a high school kid and we were going to ride from Washington DC to California, no maps not much money no rain suits or nothing made it to Arizona and my buddies were worn out and wanted to go home but I never broke down on that old pan head , lost a lot of parts that vibrated off and oil leaked out but I made it that was a good old bike
Back in the day , I bought a 50 panhead fl , and I had to buy it , and it took me several weeks , to learn , just how to ride this old bike ! But once I had ole bessy , down , I could ride that bike , like it was part of my body ! It was a hard tail frame , all stock , with all the tabes , and I loved that bike , and rode her over a decade and a half . But it had issues little tiny spoon seat ,so my back took the worst of it ,and today l am all crippled up , but that was the price of riding her , she was fast , had a cam , great carb , but it had a jockey shift , foot clutch , and I wish I could find it , and I would put her back to where she was when I had her ! I miss her as she took me places , I couldn’t get to , and never let me down !
What a nice father's day treat ,my beloved 1964 panhead duo glide and I thank you ,note ,after WW 2 there was a surplus of aluminum from scrapping airplanes Detroit starting using it ,Harley followed ,yes with the panhead ,top end oiling starting in 49 was thru the cylinders ,oil cookers .
In 1962 ( or around ) the panhead went back to external oil lines like the knuckles ,and later on shovels ,returning thru pushrod tubes .
Really enjoyed your video ,last week I finally replaced manifold O rings after 40 years ,thank you as always Panheads forever ,jp
My brother had a panhead hardtail Chopper wish I was old enough to ride it. A pice of art
They are some beautiful bikes and they are getting really hard to find these days!
I have a picture of me on my dad's 1959 pan head when I was around 5. I'm now 68
Man I'd love to have one of those S&S Panheads.
The best looking engine HD ever built!
I work at Hill's performance in Ney, Ohio which is a independent Harley Davidson shop. We restore all old Harley's during the winter and do repair work during riding season. Have done a few pan head's over the winter amongst the others we have waiting to be done. Always enjoy your content 😊
I always thought the panhead was the most beautiful engine Harley ever made.
Maybe it's from watching easy Rider over and over again all these years but I would certainly love to own one in my lifetime.
I miss my 49 my 53 my 59, that were in my life over 67 years. like a good woman you don't forget them, and the headaches that came with them.
Nothing prayers like a panhead I had a 1956 panhead with a 88 cin Stroker sweet-sounding ran like a champ. I miss the old bike shouldn't have sold it
never owned a pan but done a fair share of rebuilding them ! cool video good history lesson !
I had the cut-away motor diagram from the service manual tattooed on my forearm! With ALL the details!
I've got a 1950 panhead chopper I'm currently building. It's in boxes in the garage right now. Hopefully I'll have it on the road this year!
Just purchased a 37 hardtail with a 49 pan. Yes it's a chopper, but I really love the panhead. Oil leaking joy!!!
Now let's not forget Harley and Indian kept selling flatheads because at 6 to 1 compression evenin loafers you can start a flathead with half a kick.
Panheads RULE
Pan was the most innovative engine,,, hydraulic lifters front and rear shocks from rigid and springer , and electric start cab breaks to juice breaks. And lots more.
Yeah, motors got improved or updated parts seemingly every year. Technological advances courtesy of WWII and Korean War.
Electric start was introduced the last year of the Pan.
Rode 49 Pan for 12 years with no regrets very reliable..
I've owned 3 Panheads. A 1949FL, a 1950FL and an EL with a 1941 Knucklehead motor number restamped on the case. In 1971 build a 74 chopper combining the 1949 and EL motor parts and 49 frame and then stupidly sold the leftover frame, parts and 49 cases. A couple years later I bought the 50FL basket case and built a stock sidecar machine out of it with reverse gear and adjustable fork for winter riding. My brother has it now. The chopper I put back to stock condition in 1974 using all original parts and made it look like a 1950 Hydra-Glide model -- the best looking Panhead of them all IMHO. It has 4x18" wheels instead of fat 16's for a better look and handling. Leather saddlebags and a windscreen. And although it's a 74, it still has the restamped 1941 EL motor number, which does detract from its collector value. Years ago the motor developed a bad knock and it's been sitting in a shed under a canvas tarp ever since.
I'm no longer a young guy. In the late 70's, traded a car for a near all original 55 Hydroglide. Farmer who bought the bike new in 55 had moved everything over to a 58 Duoglide frame to get the smoother ride. Owned a lot of bikes since then but that Panhead was the best looking of all.
Always been interested in panheads, but no, I’ve never had the opportunity to ride one.
Great video! I didn't know anything about the Pan Head, but I have a lot more respect for it now. Could you also do videos on the Knuckle Head and Shovel Head engines as well? I love nostalgia!
Yep. Currently have one stock and one bobber. I've had a couple of panhead choppers in the past.
Love hearing about these old engines!...keep'em rollin!...stay safe out there!😎👍🤙👍🤙🇨🇦
I really really enjoy watching you break down things that are near and dear to you and so many folks. Keep on keeping on brother
When I started riding,the Panhead was the newest engine Harley made.
That is awesome! I would love to of been around to see those bikes new on the floor.
@@GixxerFoo the shops were mostly really small. Where I was the local dealer had three bikes a big twin and a couple different Sportsters on the floor. Wouldn’t work on anything not stock. Wouldn’t change a tire on a custom. I still liked those shops better than these huge boutique dealerships. I ride a Shovelhead so they don’t have much I need. Support your local independent bike shop.
i owned a 1958 panhead. lived it to thee maxx, but boy was it ever hard to start, i recc one if carry a HD shop Maual & tools w you,,,,, same w shovelheads too,,, luv em both !
Great video..Love the sound of the Pan Heads they are an iconic motor..👍🏻🇦🇺
Have a 64 pan / shovel wishbone frame 35 years love Lucille
Good video. Gotta love the part's availability for a Harley.
Alloy aluminum engines are known for valve clatter, there is nothing you can do about that; but I would trade a little more engine noise knowing that my engine was running 50% cooler than a cast-iron version.
What?!! 😒
Gotta disagree. I've rebuilt quite a few motors using Jims Power-Glide tappets and blocks. Best hydraulic lifters ever made for Pans and Shovels.
Yeah...ever hear of hydraulic lifters? Harley did . Thats what was done about it. Harley even tried hydraulic 'push rods' before that. Didn't work so good. But, "nothin' you can do about it"? Pick up a book, or better yet, buy a Pan and take it apart. Sounds like you got alot to learn.
And while I'm at it... I never heard of a Pan running as hot as a fuckin' Twin Cam! (All alloy aluminum)
My Ironhead, years ago, running 10/1 compression never even came close to running as hot as the Twin Cam I last rode! You keep your alloy crap! You're welcome to them!
Always enjoy your videos... 😎👍
Thanks 👍 We appreciate the support!
I had two panheads. Got tired on working on them.
My 58 is real nice, I have to drain the oil when I leave it sit for long periods. It leaks past the check ball in the oil pump and into the gear case.
My first Harley was a 59 panhead jockey shift in a wish bone frame had it for 6years .
Well done thank you for all your info.
I did everything on my two panheads except swatting the lower end. That needs to be done by a good shop.
Love the videos and this one is quite an interesting history of the pan head. The gum is distracting though...
I appreciate it!
Thanks kinda cool seeing some of these old engine photo parts!
Hello Gizzer, You really know your stuff. Great video!
So incredibly informative. And standup comedian funny, too!!! 😂
from Southern California ~ Ride Forever!
Great video ! Thank you, sir!
I enjoy my 61 FLH Panhead very much. I also have a 98 Evo. They are both easy to work on, and Its obvious that they are closely related!
Got a 61’ pan over here at the garage . All original and been sitting. 6volt . A bear to kick . Maybe I’m just older now.😁 carb float bad . Alcohol- anyways pops but no start . Parts on the way and a new knee . 😁 ✊🏻👍👌 nice vid -
I have a 53, 58,and a 61. Mine are all choppers. No I didn't chop a beautiful FLH. They were choppers languishing in boneyards when I bought them. But I love ol school chops and don't care about collector value. Cast iron by the way actually is more efficient once it reaches operating Temps or so I have read and been told. Some things are not very efficient on these pans like check out the t shaped intake manifold and think about the air fuel mix getting in the engine . Lol. Regardless an old pan is fun to ride ,easy to work on . Mine have electronic ignition and S&S carbs. Andrew's gears. 1st and 3rd gear back cut. All the old school performance stuff. No inner or outer primary since they are kick only. Wanna adjust the primary ? Unbolt the trans and slide it back. Simplicity at its finest. Kick only. No turn signals, no front brake . No front fender. They aren't fast no big deal. I can cruise at 80 mph though. Low ,long and loud and fun. Ol school.
The knucklehead was the origin, and it all ended when the evo ended. The twin cam did not evolve from the evo, it was designed to look like a Harley motor and to some extent sound like one, but experienced people know it can never sound the same. The newer Harleys, in my view, are facsimiles of Harleys. Incidentally the Panhead ended with the 1965 model year, not the late 1960's, and the 65 was the only year with electric start. Pans and shovels are not hard to find. If you want a rare version and/or museum piece be prepared to pay, but you can get reasonable examples for reasonable prices today. I am stunned that you seem to champion the engine but seem to disregard choppers or engines not in their original frame. Why is that so if you are praising the engine? The low demand market keeps the prices down except on real collectible examples, most modern Harley riders may idealize or fantasize about a panhead but they aren't really serious buyers. They want a fuel injected electronic ignition bike with a warranty and they think that bolting on accessories makes a custom bike. They aren't prepared to deal with tuning a bike with a carb and points. When they wash it and change their quick release sissy bar they say they have been working on their bike. But they have a poster in their garage of Captain America from the Easy Rider movie. And they got a model of a panhead for Christmas, maybe even with Santa sitting on it.
Some people will never understand things like setting the points on a mag with a cigarette paper adjusting a carb on the fly or operating a foot clutch. Some of us still ride these though and are passing knowledge to the next generation
So damn true. I'd like to print this out and frame it. When the wife tells me I'm a asshole and wants to know why I don't like this person or that person, I'll point to this.
@Chaves, But yet you commented about your CVO previously??? 👀 🤔
@@wingwang007 Yeah? What's wrong with that? I dig the 110SE motor in it even though I prefer older bikes. I got it for $7300 after I totaled a Road King three years ago. I put 10.25" shocks on it (200$ custom made), Danny Gray butt crack seat (used $100), took off the tour pak, put a tall hippie sissy bar on it, etc. It's a 2007 and is the newest bike I have ever owned. I also have an 87 Softail that's chopped. My other bikes are 85, 81, 78, 75, including a Triumph chopper. Both my knees have the cartilage torn up from kick starting big bikes, I can't really do it anymore.
@@wingwang007 Yup. So? It's a 2007 that I got for $7300 three years ago, and still books for like 13 grand today, great deal. Newest bike I have ever owned. Bought it to replace a Road King I totaled. I do a lot of miles for an organization I am patched in, so it served well. Blew out both my knees, can't kick start anymore. I also have a chopped 87 Softail, classic Triumph chopper (kicker so it sits now), as well as an XS650, chopped 75 CB500T in a AEE Choppers "digger" frame. Why are you concerned that I have a CVO? It has the tour pak removed, tall hippie sissy bar, Danny Gray butt crack seat, 10.25 inch custom made shocks, etc. It's not exactly a geezer glide. Why does it bother you that I have a CVO? I still say it is a facsimile of a Harley. The last true Harley was the Evo.
Love you channel . I have my father’s 1965 pan. Hasn’t run in 20 years. I don’t know where to start
Thank you! A good carb clean, file the points and fluid changes with fresh fuel. I bet it bust right off with some new plugs after that!
Had a 57 Panhead in the 70s. Stolen in 1978. Great bike. Oil leaks and all.
Bro, I'm really digging this channel 🇺🇲
I was wondering here about 3 minutes in, you show a Pan with cut away tins and carb. What's with the white rockers' carb and push rods? I haven't done work on many A 1950 and my current 1965 chopper that I took out of service 7 years ago. I hope to go through her this winter and replace the front end for a Duce to get a disk front brake (the chrome is a bonus). Not to steal any of your thunder but I have been watching Pacific mike lately and thought you might want to check him out. Pans, Knucks, and Shovels. I've tuned into you for a wile and love your stuff on Twinkie's but that was incase my oldest stepson 44yrs. could use any suggestions regarding maintenance updates and repairs. But he just rides and leaves the work to other people in his club. I don't think any of them know about you. I don't understand I don't understand some of the younger " bikers " they're just not motorcycle enthusiasts as well. I still get a kick out of your father riding a V-rod. I have one too.
Funny, 60 horsepower in the late 50's. And in 1999 o bought a softail custom with the 80" evo and she was making a mind blowing 60hp! What it was at the tire? But once I swapped out my exhaust for straight pipes, high lift cam, 95" jugs and a bigger carb and S&S air cleaner😎. And there i was, king of the block with a 80 or 90hp monster! Today my 114 is supposed to be about 90hp stock in my RG limited. No plans to modify it, im getting 45mpg 2 up! Factory this bike should be 120hp. HD, still 20 years behind the times🤦
Just give us full liquid cooled bikes! Overhead cams or camless technology! Yes, intake and exhaust valves can be servo driven like a fuel injector. Completely operated from the computer.... imagine changing the lift and duration from a software map! Thats freedom right there! Going on a long ride... need fuel economy! Poker run, need power!
great stuff thanks.
Good info! Learning a lot, thanks 👍
The frame was butchered by the factory to accommodate the huge battery required by the electric starter and this resulted in worst and poor handling. AMF saved Harley-Davidson and spent 7 million dollars to build the engine plant so Harley can build more motorcycles streamline production, but you're in the 70s you had in a lot of Industries employee sabotage of the products in order to get back at the company for Revenge. Haha no second gear, I get paid $4 an hour to fuck shit up this is the type of stuff that Harley dealers would have to rectify when they got bikes from the factory let's not forget in the old days if you ran a motorcycle shop and you because you were enthusiastic for the brand you sure didn't do it to make money.
Sounds like today's economy, brother. The old Soviet expression is becoming true: "They pretend to pay us, we pretend to work."
Great video, would love to see another one on knuckleheads and shovelheads
If everything is going on I get a stock panhead delivered this Saturday. I’m a exited as hell!
Still got mine 45 yrs later of course I'm only 70 yrs old too still 6 volts and yes you can get parts j&p cycles no electric start here
Thank you very much for sharing this very important historic and yet up to date information with us! Please by all means; More of this ! Some of us: me, me me ! is getting historically hungry, especially when you can make the jump to the available tech of today's "modern" motors ;-) like the Twincam or even the M8.
New shelf ?
Never had the pleasure of riding one. Heard one running, sounded just like I want a new one to sound like but doesn't
Yeah it's a shame the new ones with that 4 valve head sound nothing like they used to.
Panheads rule. I have a 49 and a 50. They are the best.
I’m looking for advice. I have a 59’ panhead that has been sitting around since I was 8 years old (I’m 22 now). I want more than anything to fix it up and make it the way I want it. Any suggestions on how I should go about that? From what I understand it was running right before it was given to me, but that’s been a while. Thank you to anyone for advice
I could have that bike running in less then in hour if it's all there and not tampered with. Check for compression in both cylinders. Check for spark at the spark plugs. If no spark ,check for voltage may need new points and condenser in distributor or new coil . Check to see if your getting fuel at the carburetor if no fuel you most likely need to clean the carburetor or turn the fuel valve on at the gas tank. If you have compression, spark , and fuel to both cylinders the engine will run. Good luck
Great video aa always. What is your opinion on torque cones?
Would you consider a Shovelhead video?
FYI the pan head got its name from the soldiers Rashion pan the ate from it looked similar in ww2
Cool video, I love your content
In the early 70's I had a 51 Pan until someone stole it. Then I got a 49 Pan. I remember most about the sound was the rocker covers sounded like bongo drums. As far as the overall 'feel' my 2003 Twinkie is very reminiscent of the Pan. Not as vibey though.
BTW, '65 was last year for Pan, so 'mid 60's'. Also 1st year electric start.
Like I said before you the coolest tech guy on UA-cam , keep it going, I just want to ask you again if you had any video on EVO lifter change after 40,000
Now you know why I have a 49 and a 55 pan head
Yes, I own 2 Pans. 1 original and 1 Kustom. But if the Panhead was the father, the Knucklehead was the OHV grandfather. Same basic bottom end. The Timken cones on the new crank, and Torringtons on the inner cam journal didn't come out till '55.
If not for WWII, the Knuck might have got a bit more sophisticated. In fact, it took the hot rodders of the day a while to get their Pans up to the performance on the hot 74" & 80" Knucks.
The aluminum material used in the original Panheads was garbage. The combustion chamber dome was too thin, and the valve seats were too close to the spark plug holes. They tried more fins thru the years, but the material and sand/gravity casting process was still poor. Try to find a set that isn't cracked between plug hole and seats.
And did you ever study the intake tract?
When I was gonna rebuild my 1950 motor into a stroker, the cases were full of spider cracks. Same with the heads. Too many temp cycles for that crude cast aluminum. So I went with STD heads and cases and filled them with an S&S 93HC Sidewinder kit. The STD head had lots of modern aluminum alloy to dissipate the heat. They used the standard 1.5:1 Pan rockers (I used Baisley roller rockers in mine) and had a big improved Shovelhead intake manifold and tract. Mine were ported w/oversize valves and really outflowed Evo heads.
What do you think of those S&S Pans and Shovels?
@@barrybarnes96 My Pan heads & cases were made by STD long before S&S made theirs. But there's no questioning the high quality of S&S stuff.
Why won't Harley go back to the timkin bearing knowing everything we know?
The cases were aluminum, the cylinder barrels were cast iron, with aluminum heads. There were five bolts through the cylinder barrel into the aluminum head.
Love your vids foo!
I've got a 60 and ride it every day kick start only
I wish I could afford a new S&S Panhead engine. I've got a pal in CA who rides the wheels off a bike that's built around a S&S 93 inch Panhead.
My buddy owned a shop here in Houston back in the '80s called Union Cycle salvage. He tried to find me a pan for a couple years. They are like hen's teeth.
I've seen just some engines for sale and they want 15 to 20K for just a motor alone.
Find your nearest AMCA - Antique Motorcycle Club of America chapters field and swap meet. You'll see more Pans than restaurants kitchen.
@@GixxerFoo They were 10K if you found a basket in the '80s.
Thank you 🙏 I
THX!!!
Wanna really have your “skirt blown up”?? Try a ‘Pan/Shovel’… Pan lower end/shovel top end… for some, the best of both worlds!
Good vid.
There is a guy running around in my town with a basically stock 63 panhead it's his daily driver you see him all the time around town I've talked to him about it he says you can get parts for it so why change it he's been riding that bike since high school he's in his 60s
The British has been using alloy has and alloy cylinders for ten years before Harley put those on the Panhead. Are smaller bikes made more horsepower ran hotter so they went to aluminum to disperse the Heat.
It really blows my mind how long Harley-Davidson stuck with using cast iron, the tooling must of been paid for they were selling bikes.
60 hp is more powerful than the 80ci Evo. What happened?
EPA and emissions, the stock Evo engines were really choked down with restrictive exhaust, flat ignition mapping, lean carb tuning and a compromise of a cam.
New sub! Liked 🙏😛😀
I haven't had the pleasure of owning or riding anything other than the EVO AND TC!!!. OH SHIT did you say Asbestos!!🤣🤣
There's a reason David Allan Coe sang about his Panhead
There was a road test in the old cycle magazine where they had the suspension and they were talking about the Panhead motor and how the fins were extended to make it run cooler and I quote it runs as cool as in ice man's shoulder. The 61 was so much easier to kick over than the 74 it was much smoother too.
By the time they increased the compression they really had to go to electric start at least as an option.
👍
Thank you, we appreciate the support!
A waffle Iron...lol ...I likened my old '59 Panhead to riding a pizza oven.
Two on my bench now. A Johnny Cash special and an untouched 1950. One is like a jigsaw puzzle, the other, a time capsule.
The racers of the Era, your Pete Hill, Joe Smith kind of badasses never used the Pan cylinder heads as they could make the Knuckle outperform them, easily. Pete running as quick as 7.09 @191 mph on the Knuckle.
Panheads forever