Am I crazy for wanting an old Panhead?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: Am I crazy for wanting an old Panhead?
Crazy? Never thought of it in those terms. Lucky? That's more like it. I have had so many offers on the pan, can't count 'em. The kids laugh. Cody (#2 son) says they are going to bury it with me. 
As for riding a hardtail, I'm 55, still kicking and still rattling along. Ain't nothin' finer. Someday, (been sayin' that for eons it seems) I'll have a '52, the year I fell onto this planet. When things got rough ($$$)4 years ago, sold a 2001 Ultra with a 124" Zipper motor and a Baker 6 spd. Then, Me, Momma, and the Pan went to Sturgis. Youcan't live long enough to regret gettin' a pan. 
As for riding a hardtail, I'm 55, still kicking and still rattling along. Ain't nothin' finer. Someday, (been sayin' that for eons it seems) I'll have a '52, the year I fell onto this planet. When things got rough ($$$)4 years ago, sold a 2001 Ultra with a 124" Zipper motor and a Baker 6 spd. Then, Me, Momma, and the Pan went to Sturgis. Youcan't live long enough to regret gettin' a pan.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Am I crazy for wanting an old Panhead?
Had a '56 pan back in the early '70s. No mechanical problems I can remember, but electrical plagued me. The generator/points/coil were pretty weak. Wish I had kept it![:@]
Built an Evo chopper in the image of that '56. Surprisingly a lot of people think it's a Pan at first glance!
I'm 60 but still like the ride of a hard tail, pride myself on being able to kick start the beast.
[IMG]local://upfiles/36103/379E70889F7644E980573C97FD8A825B.jpg[/IMG]
Built an Evo chopper in the image of that '56. Surprisingly a lot of people think it's a Pan at first glance!
I'm 60 but still like the ride of a hard tail, pride myself on being able to kick start the beast.
[IMG]local://upfiles/36103/379E70889F7644E980573C97FD8A825B.jpg[/IMG]
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
RE: Am I crazy for wanting an old Panhead?
Christ you're still young I'm 64 and still ride a rigid knuckle ( I do have more cushy bikes) You will kick yourself in the but for selling it!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Hey Butcher, Ive owned and ridden a lot of Harley's, Loved every one of them. But I must profess a Love for the Panhead. They are one of a kind. Only advice I can give is, have a friend or a Panman go with you to look at her, when you find her and see her for the first time, you'll know. Take her home and take her apart, right down to the last nut and bolt. Make her your own. I hope you got a good friend that knows Pans, or find an' old school wrench, you'll know when you meet him. You will never regret your choice. If you need any advice or info, I would be glad to help. Oh yeah, when you get her on the road and she feels good, don't brag about her if she's in earshot, like saying that she fires first kick[that's the worst one] cause she will not, especially if someones watching. I could go on for days but I'll shut up now cause my girls gettin' jealous. cole
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: northern WI.
pan head glory
Iam 43 years old now. When I was about 21 years of age just about all my buddies boaught handa crutch rockets & the like. which they no l;onger have. Except me & my best freind who died about two years ago. He bought a shovel 1976 FLH, I didnt have as much money than & nobody wanted pans. So I bought a 1951 fl that was pretty much in boxes that had a few extra parts. I paid $1800 back than for the bike It has been the best bike I have ever had. She has been through many stages of my life, I rode for a long time with a strecthed out frontend off of a fx & peanut tank, than in my 30s I started slowly putting her back to stock. When ever I go to any biker partys every body comes & looks at my pan. What a ego boost. I have been offerd lots of money for it. somtimes it is tempting but just cant let go. I now have come to a time in my live that I have a little more money & just went out & bought a new Road king, I goota tell you though my taste hasnt chage because the bikes look prertty close to each other, I have heard people say that the FLHS was the first Road king, but I think that Road kings probaly started back with the knucle heads. Any way when I bought the new Road King My old lady ask If I was gonna finaly sell the pan. I told her hell no. I will ride the new bike when I dont care where Am going, but to go vist all my old bros Or to partys its the pan that will be the star. I figure the pan has been good to me all these years & she should get a small break once in a while. You wanna a bike with sole go for a pan or a knuckle you wont be sorry. I bought mine because I didnt have much money but wanted a bike & to this day I do not regret it for a secound.
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: northern WI.
yeah not to far
I live about 100 miles away, just out of Hurley WI. If you are in Iron mountain & you get around this way you must know one of my Bros by the name of Brommy. My real name is Wilbur, I doe have a few non rider buddys that live by Iron mountain that work for Layne Northwest the well driiling out fit.