1948 Harley Panhead Takes Epic Journey from Colorado to Cali
Desert heat, torrential downpours, and some serious elevation changes prove no match for a vintage Harley and its fearless owner.
If there’s one thing vintage Harleys are known for, it’s style. What they aren’t known for is comfort. They’re loud, they vibrate, and they pack about as much modern technology as a lawnmower. Vintage bikes also require constant maintenance and frequent mechanical adjustments to keep them riding smoothly. All of which is why you rarely ever see anyone attempt to ride them long distances.
After all, who the heck would want to cruise thousands of miles on something that feels like it wants to shake you to death? Only the hardest of the hardcore, or perhaps someone who already has a screw loose themselves. Regardless, we respect the badasses that aren’t afraid to peddle their old school bikes across the country. Because, well, we wouldn’t do it.
One such badass is a gent who goes by the handle DavidisGoliath on Reddit. And it was there that he posted a recount of the recent road trip that took him 4,500 miles from Colorado to California. But this epic journey didn’t take place on some cushy new touring bike. Our brave young man tossed a leg over his custom 1948 Harley Panhead and felt every single one of those miles.
DavidisGoliath strapped a pair of one gallon gas cans and some gear to his old Harley, which he claims is quite comfy. The pullbacks certainly help him maintain a relaxed riding position, at least. Still, he admits that the three week journey left him sore in the backside. And he had to make some “adjustments” to the old Panhead along the way, of course.
Maybe the problem with long distance rides on vintage bikes isn’t with the bikes themselves, after all. As this brave chap proves, maybe we’re just getting a little soft.
