1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead Chopper Is a '70s Original

Original Survivor

Take one look at this stunning Harley chopper, and you'd probably think that it was built recently. But you'd be oh so wrong. It's actually one of the few surviving originals built in the early days of the chopper movement way back in the '70s. And now, it's seeking a new owner at an upcoming Mecum auction.

Never Change

According to the seller, this Panhead chopper was constructed by the original owner in Ohio in the early 1970s. And somehow, some way, it hasn't changed one bit since that original conversion. 

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Authentic Vibes

Thus, the authentic vibe of this classic chopper is 100% intact. It's a look that builders work hard to emulate even today, for obvious reasons. There just isn't a much cooler style to work with than this.

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Nice Blend

And the details of this awesome ride are very impressive, despite its age. Many of the original parts are intact, like the 6-volt electrical system, original 1954 Panhead engine, and 4-speed transmission. But there are obviously plenty of custom touches to be seen, too.

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Vintage Rarities

A peanut-style gas tank sits on top of the wishbone frame, giving this chopper an authentic look. The handlebars are vintage "rabbit ear" pieces, and the footpegs are real-deal Andersons.

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Finishing Touches

The rear brake is mechanical, of course. And the original engine sports a Linkert carburetor with a vintage "pig-snoot" breather.

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Keeping it Real

Up front, you'll find an incredibly awesome vintage twisted springer front end built by none other than Smith-Fetrow. Which, of course, is the legendary Donnie Smith's original company.

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Bygone Era

And if there's any doubt as to which era this chopper was built in, just scope out the custom artwork on the tiny tank. Only hardcore '70s fans will notice that it's a tribute to an album cover of the now somewhat obscure band Star Castle.

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Period Masterpiece

Altogether, this stunning chopper isn't something you get the chance to buy every day. Heck, most original bikes like this have long since been restored or torn apart. So it's nice to see that at least one '70s original is still alive and kicking, decades later!

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 For help with service and maintenance of your Harley, check out the how to section of HDForums.com.