Classic All 'historic' bikes.

Need panhead help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2015 | 01:21 PM
  #1  
Bruce mulder's Avatar
Bruce mulder
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Southern oregon
Default Need panhead help

I have found a 51 panhead that I'm looking to purchase. It has Ben restored and I want to know what to look for to make sure it was built correct for1951 with the rite parts? Enything helps. I dont know how to identify these old bikes and I don't want to be ripped of? I would love the held
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2015 | 01:52 PM
  #2  
Architect's Avatar
Architect
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,499
Likes: 7,796
From: Long Island, New York
Default

First post some pictures, don't forget a shot of the VIN. Lots of knowledge to be found here.

Second buy Bruce Palmer's "How to Restore your Harley Davidson"
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2015 | 04:39 PM
  #3  
johnjzjz's Avatar
johnjzjz
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,448
From: la la land jerzey
Default

lots of guys will miss this not in the direct panhead section so move it when you post pictures maybe 6 or 8 all around the bike and look at the bottom numbers on the cases see if they match left and right sides - the more pictures the better info you will get as we are not with you unless you bring it to the site using pictures
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2015 | 11:09 PM
  #4  
FilthyLucre's Avatar
FilthyLucre
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Default

+1 on Bruce Palmer's book. He has the bikes listed by year and what was correct.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2015 | 11:10 AM
  #5  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default

Originally Posted by Bruce mulder
I have found a 51 panhead that I'm looking to purchase. It has been restored and I want to know what to look for to make sure it was built correct for1951 with the rite parts? Enything helps. I dont know how to identify these old bikes and I don't want to be ripped of? I would love the held
Probably the most overused words (in bold) for older iron. Too many think that adding chrome (mostly ***** $hit) and paint suddenly adds value and equates to restored. Definitly not the case.

As mentioned, the best resource is Palmers 2nd Edition. It is very detailed. Pics help, lots of them, in general and specicis as well. if you go to look at it, take someone with you that knows about Panheads and, who has a copy of Palmers.

Just curious...what is the asking price?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
old mago
Panhead
0
Aug 13, 2018 02:07 AM
donaldgreif
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
Jul 24, 2012 03:19 AM
TOJBULLDOG
Panhead
1
Jun 9, 2010 02:04 PM
97FLHT
Panhead
6
Aug 4, 2008 06:04 AM
1941ratrod
Classic
0
Jul 3, 2006 10:32 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:02 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE