Any reason not to buy a rebuilt '56 panhead chopper?
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
OP, 1956 ?
what is 1956 about that bike ?
not the frame or any part of the chassis...I can see that parts of the motor are not 1956... so are the cases bearing a 56FL number?
and is the number real or bashed on there with a set of stamps
It may be a good runner, but I see "panhead" type bikes for more like 4 to 7 grand in my local craigslist.
The original bikes ( like mine shown above) have an extremely high value as they are only "original once". Factory paint, non cut frame, original trim etc. looking at 40 to 70 K for an original paint bike- and more for the rare finishes.
If you own a knuck, pan, shovel, you gotta be ready to wrench- that is just the nature of the beast and it is not just making it start, it is about making it safe so you don't die.
open primary ? saw a guy pull into the rock store and a pebble bounced up into his primary and munched his belt.
I'm not man enough for stuff like that.
Mike
what is 1956 about that bike ?
not the frame or any part of the chassis...I can see that parts of the motor are not 1956... so are the cases bearing a 56FL number?
and is the number real or bashed on there with a set of stamps
It may be a good runner, but I see "panhead" type bikes for more like 4 to 7 grand in my local craigslist.
The original bikes ( like mine shown above) have an extremely high value as they are only "original once". Factory paint, non cut frame, original trim etc. looking at 40 to 70 K for an original paint bike- and more for the rare finishes.
If you own a knuck, pan, shovel, you gotta be ready to wrench- that is just the nature of the beast and it is not just making it start, it is about making it safe so you don't die.
open primary ? saw a guy pull into the rock store and a pebble bounced up into his primary and munched his belt.
I'm not man enough for stuff like that.
Mike
S&S makes an awesome 93" Panhead motor I've seen on some custom bikes, for under 10 grand. I'm still kicking myself in the *** for not buying a Bobber last year with practically NO miles with a sweet S&S Pan in it. Sold for around $9,000, and that was a great deal on a practically new bike. Hell, S&S sells the motor alone for close to that....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 6,009
From: Boston suburbs
there's an expression for knucks/pans/shovels
"ride and hour, wrench and hour"
if you don't wrench your own bikes, you'll need deep pockets. Especially on a "home built" rigidframe bike.
As for the open primary...every pair of jeans I own are ripped on the left leg just above the ankle. The belt grabs and pulls...the good news is that the pants rip before yourleg
"ride and hour, wrench and hour"
if you don't wrench your own bikes, you'll need deep pockets. Especially on a "home built" rigidframe bike.
As for the open primary...every pair of jeans I own are ripped on the left leg just above the ankle. The belt grabs and pulls...the good news is that the pants rip before yourleg
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
If your going to play devil's advocate so will I. I have been hearing this same story about open primaries for years and years. A friend of my cousins brothers sisters aunt knows a guy that got his pants stuck in an open primary and ripped him off the bike...yada, yada, yada. Amazingly enough, I have had at least one bike with an open primary since 1979 and it haven't got anything caught in one yet. Aside of hearing all the fantastic stories of how this always happens to someone that somebody else knows, Amazingly enough I have never met someone that had it happen to them.
Now, I'm not saying it could never happen but I could get hit by lightning too....
IMO open primaries look cool!
To the OP...I do think that bike is over priced.
Now, I'm not saying it could never happen but I could get hit by lightning too....
IMO open primaries look cool!
To the OP...I do think that bike is over priced.
And oddly enough, it wasn't the front pulley that grabbed it. It was the trans pulley. I was inching along at a stop light with my legs down at my sides. When I lifted my foot to put it back on the peg that's when it happened.
Last edited by BikerV; Sep 2, 2012 at 10:41 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,136
Likes: 51,475
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Those cheesy friggen pipes would have to go first thing , they'll make doing the regular upkeep or tune up a royal bitch not to mention just don't look right on a righteous pan . Price wise he's about 3 grand high for all the crap I see done there .
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
that thing would be stripped and ripped 30min inside my garage
Frame and everything else cept for engine and tranny FOR SALE
No matter what I paid for it
Frame and everything else cept for engine and tranny FOR SALE
No matter what I paid for it
Last edited by firefighter616; Sep 2, 2012 at 12:57 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Really? There's plenty of old school bikes with old school looking motors, they just aren't original 40 to 60 year old motors. Either way, what ever floats your boat.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
A few reasons not to buy.
1) Its a pan head.
2) Rear tire is to wide for anything useful.
3) Rake is a little overboard for any kind of pleasure riding.
4) Who knows what your going to run into/what kind of work has been done to it.
Best to have someone knowledgeable go over it. If its just going to be a bar hopper then its a beauty
1) Its a pan head.
2) Rear tire is to wide for anything useful.
3) Rake is a little overboard for any kind of pleasure riding.
4) Who knows what your going to run into/what kind of work has been done to it.
Best to have someone knowledgeable go over it. If its just going to be a bar hopper then its a beauty
