Panhead A place to talk about Panhead motors.

1950 Panhead

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
Vinroy's Avatar
Vinroy
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default 1950 Panhead

Hey guys i recently aquired a 1950 panhead of my fathers.He passed away a number of years ago... It is all original and a absolutely BEAUTIFUL bike... Althoughknow it hasto not been ridden for 5 years... It was properly stored by a harley mechanic. But i do have a couple questions i need a battery forsure and just wondering what all of you guys would suggest to do aswell before attempting to start it up... The throttle is sticky so i have to take care of that and i imagine some fresh fluids... How do you all suppose the Carb is? I will try and get some pictures up for all of ya soon!
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 03:08 PM
  #2  
Ron750's Avatar
Ron750
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,845
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Default

Try searching for some of the posts by the guys on this thread:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/panhe...-starting.html
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 04:23 PM
  #3  
Captain Itch's Avatar
Captain Itch
Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,770
Likes: 662
From: Granville, Tennessee
Default

If the oil tank was drained before you fill it make sure there is not any sludge in the bottom..Can be rinsed with gas or diesel..
 
__________________
www.Captain-Itch.com

































Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 08:25 PM
  #4  
Vinroy's Avatar
Vinroy
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default

Thanks guys for the info the tank was drained so i will do that! And definitly get some fresh oil in her... That thread is very helpful Ron thanks allot! I appreciate it! i cant wait to get the old girl runnin again!
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 08:52 PM
  #5  
kickstart51's Avatar
kickstart51
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: northern WI.
Default 12 volt

looks like it has been converted to 12 volt, so when you get a new battery, make sure is a 12 volt. Clean or better yet put new points in it. oil fresh gas. I like lace up boots for kick starting.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 09:00 PM
  #6  
Saskrider's Avatar
Saskrider
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan
Default

Very nice old bike, if interested in selling PM me, I'm not to far away.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 09:04 PM
  #7  
j1mmy's Avatar
j1mmy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
Default

if it was stored rite, all it would need is a battery and fresh fuel to get it started. once its warm, change the oil.. if it was just parked, it will need a carb clean, and probably electrical... check everything over, especially the tires..
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 11:25 PM
  #8  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,507
Likes: 3,732
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default

First and most importantly...get an OEM manual and parts book.

Obviously change oil and gas and inspects tanks for rust issues.

5 years of sitting...I would definitely pull clutch plates and clean them.

Check brakes, tires, electrical (pretty easy on the old bikes because there are not many wires and you are looking for frayed/ exposed wires that could cause shorts) and tranny linkage.

Do you have the original Linkert on her? Might need a reuild...very least might need jets cleaned.

Pans are quirky and each has their own particular starting sequence. Do you recall what your pop did? That is the best way to get at it.

Tank shift with the foot clutch takes some getting used to. You will probably stall out a few times while the learning curve takes place.

Brakes on these bikes is way different from modern bikes...and then factor in no 1st gear syncho. Just give yourself a lot of stopping distance and you will do fine...once you get trhe starting sequence down.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 12:10 AM
  #9  
lownslow's Avatar
lownslow
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 112
From: Oregon
Default

Am I missing something here?????????????

The foot pedal for the clutch looks interesting.

Just sayin, one direction only? Hmmmmm.

Awesome ride I will admit. But no whitewalls for me with all the oil and grease slingin around.
 

Last edited by lownslow; Oct 25, 2012 at 12:13 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 06:03 AM
  #10  
Vinroy's Avatar
Vinroy
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default

I have checked the tires and wiring and everything appears to be fine, the original linkert was replaced in the early 90's this was a regular ride of my dads in his day so he had it pretty road ready. In fact the last time it was rode it went from Denver Colorado to Sturgis to the Rallies... BUT... That was 5 years ago.... I will be checking the tanks for rust and such aswell... From what i have heard my dad had ther starting sequence perfected pretty well.. From what i hear he would always show off how easy he could get it to start... I have heard the ride will take some getting used to aswell with the clutch and shifting... It will be a good winter project i figure... I have a nightster i recently baught too i want to get some stuff done on this winter too... I know where my tax return will be going this year...
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:30 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE