49 Panhead Battery
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Lake Elsinore CA
49 Panhead Battery
Hey guys,
inherited my father's 49 panhead after he passed. It currently has a dead lead acid battery. I'm interested in replacing it with something more durable, powerful, best performance. Looking for a sealed gel cell, or something better?
Anyone have a preferred battery they like? If so why? Also space is a concern right? My panhead has standard oil tank that fits around the battery. Current battery I think is a little large for the space, it's also listed at 220 cca. Thoughts?
TIA! Sean-
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
Hmm, as far as I can tell, the only thing "49" about that bike is the motor. It has a cast electric start primary added, and has possibly been converted to 12 volts. I have no idea what oil tank is being used, so I couldn't suggest a battery that will fit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Driftless Area
That looks like a Shovelhead. Is the battery inside the horseshoe tank?
Get the physical dimensions of the battery and check with BatteriesPlus. They have gel, lithium, lead acid, anything, in any size.
Get the physical dimensions of the battery and check with BatteriesPlus. They have gel, lithium, lead acid, anything, in any size.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Stafford VA
6V or 12V? Plenty of discussion in here but I feel you would get a better answer if you post in the HD classic section. Also that is very nice bike.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/classic-13/
rk classic.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/classic-13/
rk classic.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Farmington ,MS
I wouldn't go that far...but it does have a lot of "updates"
I would bet that is a softail oil tank...it will be easy to find a battery for it...just pull it out and measure it.
The starter is a dead giveaway that it is 12v
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Aug 13, 2018 at 10:00 AM.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: Viet Vet, crossroads
No offense but that is a mutt.
Lots of people put shovel heads on Pan heads back in the day, but I am not sure where one begains and the other even is.
That is a 12 volt reguator sitting op top.
Batteries- the more you spend the better you will usually get.
I have a 300 dollar one in my RK. it weighs in under 3 lbs .
Lots of people put shovel heads on Pan heads back in the day, but I am not sure where one begains and the other even is.
That is a 12 volt reguator sitting op top.
Batteries- the more you spend the better you will usually get.
I have a 300 dollar one in my RK. it weighs in under 3 lbs .
Last edited by Kingglide549; Aug 13, 2018 at 10:01 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Lake Elsinore CA
Guys, no disrespect taken, but this was my dads modified 1949 Panhead. He altered the frame, tanks, fenders, overall bike. And as you can see, modified for 12v electric start. This bike was completely customized by my late father. The battery I pulled from under the seat was a Yuasa YB16-B-CX. I'm not a fan of it at the moment, because it looks to have overflow acid. I have splattered acid all over the oil tank, fender, and left casing. The paint job was done by my dad, that can never be replaced, and it got covered in acid... I'm not putting another lead acid battery back in this bike. Any suggestions will be helpful, thank you!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Hey welcome to the forum. Nice sled there. Wish I still had my chpped 52. Your pop was definitely old school!
Would love to see how he modifeid that inner primary to make it work and what he did to get the whole estart clutch to match his motor sprocket shaft.
RE: battery. Probably the easiest way is to pull it and check the dimensions on it. As stated battery box looks like it is from a Softail model. I typed in that part asking for an AGM equivalent and got this...
Never ordered from them before though.
https://www.battery2batteries.com/yu...or-motorcycle/
Should give you something to start with at least and the 310 CCA is definitely enough to start it .
Couple other sources you can check on
www.ebatteriestogo.com
www.batterystuff.com
There is also www.shoraipower.com This is a lithium battery that has massive CCA. They are also smaller and lighter. I typed in the one for HD Softail and got LFX36L3-BS12. It kicks in at 540 CCA (massive). Didn't check dimensions. Ran a sealed unit in my brother-in-laws chpped 50 Pan. Used some had foam padding to keep it in place since dimensions were smaller than the box. Worked out fine.
Antigravity also makes a small sealed unit.
Would love to see how he modifeid that inner primary to make it work and what he did to get the whole estart clutch to match his motor sprocket shaft.
RE: battery. Probably the easiest way is to pull it and check the dimensions on it. As stated battery box looks like it is from a Softail model. I typed in that part asking for an AGM equivalent and got this...
Never ordered from them before though.
https://www.battery2batteries.com/yu...or-motorcycle/
Should give you something to start with at least and the 310 CCA is definitely enough to start it .
Couple other sources you can check on
www.ebatteriestogo.com
www.batterystuff.com
There is also www.shoraipower.com This is a lithium battery that has massive CCA. They are also smaller and lighter. I typed in the one for HD Softail and got LFX36L3-BS12. It kicks in at 540 CCA (massive). Didn't check dimensions. Ran a sealed unit in my brother-in-laws chpped 50 Pan. Used some had foam padding to keep it in place since dimensions were smaller than the box. Worked out fine.
Antigravity also makes a small sealed unit.
Last edited by panz4ever; Aug 13, 2018 at 11:51 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Farmington ,MS
I would bet nothing is modified...just used a 65-69 primary
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
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Please, keep asking the questions! I just got a '52 pan that's a lot more of a "mutt" than your dad's beauty. I'm on my 4th Harley, and my 2nd "restomod/rebuild" but the panhead is a new motor to me, and I have a lot of the same questions you do.