I have always considered the panhead as the refinement of the knucklehead. And as such, the panhead is THE classic Harley-Davidson. My opinion is most probably in error, but it is my opinion currently.
I have just received my new book Harley-Davidson Panheads and must recognize that restorers of Panheads and Knuckleheads have a very difficult task to make accurate mechanical restorations. I had no idea of the minute changes of every component of these motorcycles from year to year, mid-year, post and pre year, etc.
My hat is off to you restorers who correctly restore these bikes.

 

The running changes are hard to keep track of, if reading about restoration details interests you buy Bruce Palmers Harley restoration guide.

Im of the same opinion, the Panhead is the better engine of the two if for no other reason than they solved the major banana move with the knuckle oil returns.

 

Thanks for mention of this book. I have located the offering for latest edition at Deborah Palmer Publications.

 

While i am assuming Bruce has a photographic memory - he looses his place - not in a bad way -

so pick a machine that is your birth lets say 1950 - so if its being a thing to start - you would know exactly how it feels - most common resto is birth year machines Harley and Indian we do in the shop

when you get the 2 books pull up a chair at a writing desk — a Sunday early morning and pen in hand with a writing pad - then what color is everything in finish based on the exact model you would want - paint in the bikes color is 5 percent of the finish of things - and read every thing on every page first - so you have an idea of what your doing and going after - then expect 50 thing on a bike you thought was correct to find out they were not its been around 71 years and has been in 20 maybe 30 different people hands

guess on what you might think is incorrect like tail light lens - the horn - the fender in the rear - the k stand - then go to e bay ad price out if even available some items - like a speedo is 750 to a thousand bucks - set of correct year gas tanks 2500 to 4 thousand bucks kind of thing

buying a 20 thousand dollar machine and then restoring it like the factory pictures in palmers book doing it your self - another 30 thousand dollars at least

 

What you say is absolutely correct. I have enjoyed sinking money into my hobbies of restoration all of my life (mostly antique autos). I have never broken even with the finished product. But it was worth it in every instance.

 

Its a labour of love. I wont get paid a dime for any of the time I've invested in resto work I've done on cars or bikes for myself. Having a paying customer is different and they're the ones that are upside down many times over. Figure 300hrs to restore a bike at a hundred dollars an hour plus the bike and parts? Ouch.