1950s Panhead Questions
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
1950s Panhead Questions
Greetings,
I am a British bike guy. A friend of mine wants me to go with him to look at an early 50s Panhead. From the photos he showed me, the bike looks to be a barn find. It's rough. I know how about much cash in parts, paint, and machine work it takes to bring a British bike in that condition back to original. Most likely this bike will need everything. A 60s Triumph Bonneville in that condition would be "a walk away from" bike, because it would cost more to restore than it'd be worth.
I realize if original the best choice would be to just get it road worthy, but I think he wants it restored.
I wouldn't mind helping my friend with a fun winter project, but would a nicely restored 50s panhead have enough value to invest what it will cost to build? Are there things we should look for that would make the bike a no-go?
Thanks for all replies.
Phil
I am a British bike guy. A friend of mine wants me to go with him to look at an early 50s Panhead. From the photos he showed me, the bike looks to be a barn find. It's rough. I know how about much cash in parts, paint, and machine work it takes to bring a British bike in that condition back to original. Most likely this bike will need everything. A 60s Triumph Bonneville in that condition would be "a walk away from" bike, because it would cost more to restore than it'd be worth.
I realize if original the best choice would be to just get it road worthy, but I think he wants it restored.
I wouldn't mind helping my friend with a fun winter project, but would a nicely restored 50s panhead have enough value to invest what it will cost to build? Are there things we should look for that would make the bike a no-go?
Thanks for all replies.
Phil
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
Exactly, we don't know what the right price would be for a complete early 50s panhead that needs everything? In British bike world the bike in question, free might even put you upside down.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
It's at a farm auction. I've only seen the photos, it's what I would call a rough barn find, it looks complete externally as far I can tell, Same old story, "ran when parked"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 2,562
From: CT/FL
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
It appears to be a hardtail. Since I have learned it is a 1951.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
True. I picked up a rough 1944 BSA WM20 a couple of years ago. Complete tear down, sandblast and paint. Hadnt run in decades. Im not sure what its worth but I know Im OK because I only paid $1500 for it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 477
Likes: 326
From: Beaver PA
I'd let your buddy know what you think it would cost to totally restore the bike assuming you have to go through the entire bike bolt by bolt and go from there. Sometimes being a little upside down doesn't matter, especially if he is keeping the bike. You cant really put a value on rebuilding a bike with your buddy or if he is doing it with his kids or something like that. Just doing a 1 min search, they are starting at $20k.
Last edited by strokelessone; Sep 19, 2024 at 10:58 AM.