My Panhead -49 project "Lucky Loser"

[JPP]

I bought this Panhead -49 couple of years ago. I wanted to make it into 50's Bobber some day. I had two H-D projects and they are now finished so I started to strip the Panhead. I have been collecting parts for over 2 years and I have now 85% of the parts that I am going to use.

This is how it looked when I bought it. I got it quite cheap because it didn't work. I installed 4$ new O-rings to the intake manifold and it worked fine. Starts at first or second. It was a bit "Hillbilly" style, but the frame was quite good and it had good upgrades. Mallory, Jims lifters, Cycle electric alternator, 1,5" Primo, S&S oil pump and Super B carb. I am going to use most of the parts because I am building a daily ride:


And this is how it looks today before I will take the engine out:







And some of the parts that I have collected. Stock length Springer front end and original style 3,5 gal tanks are missing from the pics:





I will send some more project pics when the project continues.

[el diablo]

funky colour choice

great collection of parts you've got for the build
i will follow this build for sure !

[lackluster]

Looks like a great start, i've gotta find a nice cheap pan project one of these days!

[JPP]

I haven't seen too many yellow Panheads and there is a reason for it

Here is the rest of the parts. Firestone rear tyre and repop tanks. 18" stainless front spokes and aftermarker rear wheel. Tanks are 95% like the originals and cheap and rust free so that is why I use them. Maybe if I get a good deal on good originals I may some day buy ones. Mufflers in the previous pics are Nors Superior.

[Luke Nosewalker]

Is that an offset springer? It looks repop.

[HD48FL]

Nice collection of parts, looks to be good!

[desertdweller66]

love that yellow headlight!

[twowheeledhell]

The wheels would look 'neato' on something not so highlighting the yellow!! I could figure them out!!

Justen
Nipple Twisters Wheelcraft
Genoa City, WI

[Osprey]

Sick! Im buildin a '49 too! you had to get rid of the yellow wheels.
keep us posted, want to see them nice parts on that pan.
cool bird deflector!

[Ken Cormier]

Run the yellow wheels and bug everybody lol. nice bike

[mr haney]

nice bike ! personally I would try and build it to stock 49 specs, leave the hyd front end on etc. But then I gots a hankering for a stock panhead. had a dozen panheads in my life........but never a stocker. Bobbers [ peelers] for life !

[JPP]

Thanks for your comments. It gives me motivation.

Is that an offset springer? It looks repop.

It's an Inline and it is repop. Bought it from W&W. Hope the bike sits right with 4.00x18" Coker Diamond thread tyre.

nice bike ! personally I would try and build it to stock 49 specs, leave the hyd front end on etc.

I am going to save that Hydra front for future projects for sure. The bike hasn't got so many original parts so that is why I am making it into a 50's bobber but if it would have been more original I would have make it stock -49.

[Speed King]

Great project. Something about pans,just so satisfying. Can't wait to see your progress & finished product.

[wild04goat]

Wow, were do you guys keep finding these old Panheads? Ive always loved the way they look. Keep the pics coming. Hard to go wrong on a bad ass Pan build. Orginal or custom still just awesome to keep the old metal on the road.

[jq49pan]

I've got a 49 also, built it 10 years ago I'll post a pick or two for ideas, if you want.

[JPP]

Post pics into this thread. It's always nice to see old Panheads.

[panz4ever]

Nothing like a pan. Like the changes you are making. You going to keep the long extended Superior pipes or shorten them up a bit so that they don't go beyond the end of the rear end?

Been working on a 49 El for a little over 6 years now. When I got it I was gonna cut her up into something along the bobber/chopper style. More I got into it the more I realized i had a pretty complete and mostly original set up. So the intention is to get it close as I can and ride it hard. Did update to a 12 volt system but used the 32evil generator for the outward appearance of a 6 volt. Regulator looks like a relay but is a solid state 12 volt regulator.

[SwedeBobb]

Hey, hows it going with the old pan?

[JPP]

Well. I couldn't resist a -66 Shovelhead project. I have been collecting parts for it also. I have got now almost all the "big" parts for it. Hydra Glide from the -49 Panhead. -49 front brake. Round oil tank that somebody machined. Banana brake, rear shocks and transmission from my previous Shovelhead. Early Shovelhead engine is being totally rebuild.





Panhead engine and transmission is at my friend who rebuilds it. Transmission is now opened at it seemed to be good. It only needed a new seal and gaskets because it leaked badly.

Here is an old hub cap for the front hub and 50's(?) Police Special Speedometer that I recently bought. So no Taiwan Ted's speedo for this Panhead



Next I need to weld few holes from the rear fender and maybe even paint the tanks, oil tank, primary covers, chain guard and speedo cover before 2011.

[SwedeBobb]

Nice! Really like the police special speedo and hubcap! I had to rebuild both engine and trans in my bike, lucky the parts aint expensive for those..

Any pics before you took it apart?