Panhead or Bust
And so it begins…
I have been working on my project bikes with little success. I purchased a basket-case Shovelhead thats been leading me down every bad road I could go. While that bike was giving me grief, I decided to pick up another Shovelhead. Knowing I was knee deep on failures, and starting to realize I would never leave the garage.
A motorcycle was offered up to me. I was putting it out in the universe that I wanted a Slab. A few offers came my way, but nothing serious.
Until one day a Panhead chopper came up…
After making the decision, I jumped on it. I have realized with buying vehicles, and now motorcycles. Hand shakes and your word mean nothing. Its all who comes with what the seller wants at the right time.
I had a vacation planned and was not able to cobble the cash until afterwords. That was a month away, and I knew within that time the bike would be gone. I’m old enough to not get excited, and know that most things are fate/luck over word and reliability.
Aa soon as I got home I made the deal! And away I was on the Panhead Journey…
Now… my knowledge of anything older than a cone motor is limited to the few Youtube videos I have watched, and people I have ridden with. saying that, I dont know what its supposed to sound like, run like, feel like, etc…
The details of this bike were simlple. 1950 FL with an aftermarket frame. Parts cobbled together from various places. The motor was a fresh rebuild, split the cases all the way up. I wanted the seller to put at least 50 miles on it. He knew how it ran, how it sounded, and could adjust to simple situations.
The deal was done. I was off with the bike. the first time I tried to kick it over it poured fuel out of the Carb. Already not a great start for the maiden voyage home. Got it kicked over, let it warm up, asked 20 more questions, and was ready to rip. Right away it wanted to run right out of the building and through the yard. Being a fresh build, I was watching the RPM’s. Cruised around on an old crappy/bumpy road. The big sprung seat was amazingly comfortable. Overwhelmed with the ride itself, i didn't notice much.
Eventually i had to jump on the 4 mile stretch on to the freeway, to the next town. Took it slow, 3rd gear only. A SPEEDO! I was able to gauge a speed… again, a fresh rebuild, still under the first 100 miles, I didn't want to rev it to the moon. Took the first exit coming in to town. Rolled another few miles before I pulled over to check on some vitals.
Right away I noticed oil leaking from god knows what. It was Idling a bit high, and throttle response was odd. Otherwise is shifted fine, and kicked over! As soon as I started going again I noticed a bouncing feeling. a hop from the front end. I road it straight home, because I felt like it was unhappy. As soon as I got in front of the garage I inspected where the leaks were coming from.
A hole from the bottom side of the cam cover… One of the top pans in the back… pooled up next to the valves…. I left it to cool down. Tried and ignore the smoke coming from the exhaust and pool of oil on the ground.
Immediately All these issues started running through my head.. “why is it leaking so much"...pulled the oil tanks cap, and oil gushed out of the hole. It had been over filled with oil and was pouring out of every hole it could escape.
Its been a few months now with the Pan. One road trip, and a bunch of new parts. Its a really fun bike, and i have been fixing all the issues its been having. I've learned a lot in a short time with this bike, and I love it more and more. I never thought I would own something like a Panhead, but here I am. I have a Panhead...
Head over to watch my videos on my Panhead, stay up to date on what I have done to it....
Thanks for reading and if you like this type of blog stuff. feel free to email Deathmetalcycle@mail.com...