Last year I acquired a, titled as, 55 Panhead on a 58 frame. The seller, an older Gentleman, said he bought the bike brand new in 1958/59. He went on to say that he was told that the H-D assembly-line had enough to finish the bike to the point that it was found that there was no engine or transmission to totally complete it. He says he was told that, (back in the day) when this happened at the factory, an older engine & transmission was added from an older version of the same model, if it fit & if available. I "had" heard this before from an old timer years ago & thought it sounded possible. I didn't see H-D just "scraping" frames, engines, transmissions etc... when they "could" make a whole bike with the extra parts. "ESPECIALLY" in the waste-not 1950's. But other than rumors, I have no actual proof. Has anyone else ever heard of, or know of H-D doing this? An affirmation would be great! Lol! Especially since it will make the bike "super" rare. Later & thanks... Zell

My 55/58 Mule.

 

I have heard of left over parts being fitted at the beginning of a new model year
Certainly not an entire drive train 3YEARS later

Bike is far from stock , no offense but I don`t buy the story

 

I'm sure anything is possible, but why would the factory have a complete 55 motor laying around? It usually happens that a few last years parts get put into this year's bikes to use them up. Maybe someone in 58 wanted to upgrade their 55 with the new swing arm frame? Maybe even a dealer, but probably not the factory.

 

There are some pretty smart guys on here that have done there research on the vintage bikes and can tell by casting numbers and stamped date codes the month and years parts were made. Most cast parts have these numbers. Cases, cylinders, heads, frames, transmission cases and even lifter blocks.

I would try to get pictures of these and post back.

 

I say balony. Either a put together bike or the original engine popped and it was replaced with what they could find.

 

On the frame behind/under the seat.

Back-tire/swing-arm area.

 

Coupl,e questions

what year is on the title and what does the title match the number you pictured or something else -

engine cases left side center is the correct location for the machines ID number - it could read - 55 Or 58 - then F FL FLH or something else and then 4 or 5 numbers like FL 5432 - blind the last two numbers out with black tape and post a picture

i have seen blended machines my i tire life working on them so its not what he said - but it could be a swap meet machine

the fenders are re pops and Electra glide was in 1965 on - the tail light is a copy of a 1947 and the gas tanks are re o pops with a mid 50s badge - all the chrome is re pop and its too new looking

the horn has a rolled edge on the trumpet so its a re pop thats how i know it should be a sharp edge all the way around 1958

 

Dont forget the repop rear shocks, possibly the tool box and maybe even the rims and hubs.

 

Those 58 forging numbers cover 58 being the first year swing arm bike to maybe 1972, the small die numbers are what narrow the year down as well as the rear brake hose mount tab and with or without reinforcement ribs. Need more pics, the stamped date under the right fuel tank on the upper mount would be the icing on the cake.

Like JZTwinkie boy said, lets see the left side of the engine and maybe the belly numbers.

 

Welcome to the forum. What did the seller say when you asked if he had the original paperwork for the bike?

Forging number on the frame looks like 47651-58 which was used for 58–65 Panheads and 66–early-73 Shovelheads. But your frame overall looks the type used for 58–64. Forging number on the left side may be 47653-58.

On the swingarm, forging number 47606-58 was used for 59–65 Panheads and 66–72 Shovelheads.
There was a prototype swingarm with forging number EX2039 outside the R-H axle clip although it’s unclear if it was used for any 58 production model Pans. But even if it was, the overwhelming majority of 58 Pan swingarms would have had forging number 47606-58. Just out of curiosity is that forging number on a raised surface or is it just the photo? And there may be other forging ID nearby which may help determine the model year of your swingarm. Also look for markings outside the left axle clip. If you find no further ID it may have been removed during chroming and polishing. If so can you post a photo of the left axle clip because that may help determine if the swingarm is 58–62 or 63–72.

In your photo below, near the rear tappet guide I can’t see provision for an oil screen. If no provision for a screen it means the R-H case is somewhere from 48 thru early-52. Can you post a close-up of this area please.





Gear cover is not 55. If it was it would have four ribs, not eight. Eight ribs means it is one of the early types.
Cylinders may have casting ID at their base.
Fin coverage on the front head suggests 58 or later and the same may apply to the rear head. If the heads are 58 or later their casting ID will be on top and hidden by the rocker covers.
Has the brake pedal been cut and welded?

As mentioned above a partial photo of the engine number would help. And photos of the belly numbers, aka line-bore numbers, aka crankcase production numbers, aka confidential numbers. If you’re not familiar with them they may be stamped under each case and here’s an example.






Under the trans case you may find indented casting number 121 35. And next to it you may find an indented 1, 2, 1E or 2E. There may also be a casting date code on a small rectangular plate. What is the date code? Photo?
At the front of the trans lid on the left side is there a switch? Photo? Thanks.
Eric