Do any of you still ride your Pans regularly?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Do any of you still ride your Pans regularly?
Panheads have a special interest for me, they were the bikes of my Dad's era. He had two of them. So Ive been reading and learning so that I can hope to talk semi-intelligently to him about them.
Anyhoo, do any of you guys still ride your Pans on a regualar basis? Around here, mostly its late model Shovels and newer.
I sure hope there are still a few of these bikes as drivers, I think if (when?) I can afford a classic Harley, a Pan tournig model would be my choice.
Anyhoo, do any of you guys still ride your Pans on a regualar basis? Around here, mostly its late model Shovels and newer.
I sure hope there are still a few of these bikes as drivers, I think if (when?) I can afford a classic Harley, a Pan tournig model would be my choice.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Hey Tackdriver, That's cool that your Dad rode them. More awesome that you want to continue the tradition. Keep up the reading on them.
If you mean everyday as regular no I don't any more. I've got a 48 e model. It was probably originally sold as a police bike. E signify low compression for easier starting. It's about 60% original. I keep trying to get it back there but the cost of original HD parts is astronomical.
I generally try and get the pan out at least every weekend. Living in Texas we can generally ride year round so it's possible to get out every weekend. Kick starting is a challenge until you get to know the sequence of the bike. I've got to be able to hear mine so it's difficult if I'm riding with other riders.
There still some around but they're getting fewer and fewer. When I bought mine in 1980 there were quite a few around, similar to what you see in the shovelheads now. Knuckleheads were getting to be fewer and fewer then. You can still find some but for the most case you're going to pay for them when you do find them. But don't let that stop you from going after your dream. They're a little bit more to work on than the newer models because they didn't have the same technology that they have today. But in the other sense some people like to wrench on their bikes.
Keep the dream alive. I loaded some pics of mine. Three most recent I had the carb off for maintenance.
If you mean everyday as regular no I don't any more. I've got a 48 e model. It was probably originally sold as a police bike. E signify low compression for easier starting. It's about 60% original. I keep trying to get it back there but the cost of original HD parts is astronomical.
I generally try and get the pan out at least every weekend. Living in Texas we can generally ride year round so it's possible to get out every weekend. Kick starting is a challenge until you get to know the sequence of the bike. I've got to be able to hear mine so it's difficult if I'm riding with other riders.
There still some around but they're getting fewer and fewer. When I bought mine in 1980 there were quite a few around, similar to what you see in the shovelheads now. Knuckleheads were getting to be fewer and fewer then. You can still find some but for the most case you're going to pay for them when you do find them. But don't let that stop you from going after your dream. They're a little bit more to work on than the newer models because they didn't have the same technology that they have today. But in the other sense some people like to wrench on their bikes.
Keep the dream alive. I loaded some pics of mine. Three most recent I had the carb off for maintenance.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 481
Likes: 2
From: Bgosh,WI
I went along on a "Vintage" ride last summer (about 50 mi), anything from 72 or older went first everything else went behind. As everyone was coming to assemble, I'd walk around to check the scoots out. I never saw so many Pans in one place at one time, probably close to a hundred, the rest were Flats and a few Knucks, early Shovels, almost two hundred vintage bikes total. Some were completely restored others were untouched, dirty and original (those were the coolest). Most started easier than the new stuff.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: cambridge, ontario
hey dude, finally a post about pans. good going.
i have a 53 pan i ride every day as my main bike. its not stock and not as gorgeous as 48pans but its still a pan.
it took me a while to get it reliable, and i actually tried to get it a litle more modern, went with a mallory electronic points, hydraulic lifters, disc rear brake, 12 volt batterie, shaved motor, c.v.carb... sorry 48pan, but i wanted to ride it everyday.
it still has its issues but what pan doesnt.
pans are my favourite bike, love the old school bikes, cause like you, thats what my dad rode and i never liked the new ones until they came out with the crossbones that is designed after the pan.
so i bought my wife a crossbones.
theres nohing else that sounds like a finely tuned pan
i love tthem!
(these pics are a couple years old)
i have a 53 pan i ride every day as my main bike. its not stock and not as gorgeous as 48pans but its still a pan.
it took me a while to get it reliable, and i actually tried to get it a litle more modern, went with a mallory electronic points, hydraulic lifters, disc rear brake, 12 volt batterie, shaved motor, c.v.carb... sorry 48pan, but i wanted to ride it everyday.
it still has its issues but what pan doesnt.
pans are my favourite bike, love the old school bikes, cause like you, thats what my dad rode and i never liked the new ones until they came out with the crossbones that is designed after the pan.
so i bought my wife a crossbones.
theres nohing else that sounds like a finely tuned pan
i love tthem!
(these pics are a couple years old)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,488
Likes: 3,687
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
My 65 is my main ride. Recently started assembly on a 49 EL that I have been collecting parts for and fixing parts for the last 7 years.
Got nothing against new bikes. From what I have seen and head they are basically maintenance free. Pans just need a bit more attention to keep them going as well as regular servicing. But if you treat then well they will not let you down.
Got nothing against new bikes. From what I have seen and head they are basically maintenance free. Pans just need a bit more attention to keep them going as well as regular servicing. But if you treat then well they will not let you down.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Fort Worth, Texas
hey dude, finally a post about pans. good going.
i have a 53 pan i ride every day as my main bike. its not stock and not as gorgeous as 48pans but its still a pan.
i have a 53 pan i ride every day as my main bike. its not stock and not as gorgeous as 48pans but its still a pan.
went with a mallory electronic points, hydraulic lifters, disc rear brake, 12 volt batterie, shaved motor, c.v.carb... sorry 48pan, but i wanted to ride it everyday.
Mine's been modernized, 12 volt, rear disk and mousetrap. How do you like that CV carb. I'm running a Bendix and they're great carbs when they work right. Mine seems to have given up the ghost and I'm trying to decide between a Super E and a CV. What's your opinion of the CV?
it still has its issues but what pan doesnt.
theres nohing else that sounds like a finely tuned pan
i love tthem!
theres nohing else that sounds like a finely tuned pan
i love tthem!
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
64 FL Pan
Hey fellas, I ride my 64 FL Pan as my weekend warrior. My father bought it brand new when I was born,(along with a 66 FL Electrglide-when my Sister was born-still own and ride that one as well). I own an 06 Ultra, but there is NOTHING like my "74"'s hitting right! Both are All Stock, Original, and draw more attention than any of these push button easy to ride Motorcycles!