54 Panhead

Is the gear cover of this model same as 52 53 models?

Gear Case (cams, idlers, cam cover)
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ronsworker
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54 Panhead

#1

Post by ronsworker »

Hello. I have a early 54 FL.
Is the gear cover of this model same as 52 53 models?
Please teach it.

Thanks
Ron
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Re: 54 Panhead

#2

Post by steve_wood »

Nope. 1951 to 1953 used 25216-48. This cover has eight fins.

1954 to 1957 used 25216-54. This cover has four fins.
ronsworker
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Re: 54 Panhead

#3

Post by ronsworker »

Thanks information.

My friends say early54 is eight rib.

I'm looked for an answer.
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Re: 54 Panhead

#4

Post by RUBONE »

Actually some original unrestored late '53s have been found with 4 rib cam covers as stock. All '54 production is 4 rib, no eight rib used. No 8 rib covers were ever produced stock with the '54 style cam bushing in them.
Robbie
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Re: 54 Panhead

#5

Post by ronsworker »

Thanks great answer!

It was studied.

Ron
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Re: 54 Panhead

#6

Post by Bosheff »

Had a 54 many years ago that came with a straight leg frame and an 8 fin cam cover. Unit was pretty much stock. Take it for what it's worth....bosheff
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Re: 54 Panhead

#7

Post by RUBONE »

Over the years I have built many engines with mismatched parts, different year cam covers, lifter blocks, pushrod tubes, etc. Many went into bikes that looked very stock. None of them were! What year do you think this bike is?
Robbie
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Re: 54 Panhead

#8

Post by steve_wood »

Robbie:

Shovel top, pan bottom, tank badges from 65 (or 66?). Wild ass guess: 66 or 67?
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Re: 54 Panhead

#9

Post by Bosheff »

Pan, knuckle or early shovel bottom, shovel top, 65 or later swing arm frame with electric start, disc brake swing arm. Could be titled anywhere from 36 to 69 if the frame is pre 70 and yer titleing off the engine #'s assuming yer usin H-D cases. Gas tanks appear to be 66's which are very rare these days. Basically what ya seem to have here is a parts bike from what I can see. If the frame is 70 or later, by law it should be titled off the frame....bosheff
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Re: 54 Panhead

#10

Post by RUBONE »

Yes, No , and Maybe!
The point is that many bikes that appear somewhat stock are not at all!
I built that bike in '76 after losing my license riding hot-rod strokers too fast too often. So I gathered up all the mismatched junk I had a built a bike the cops liked and ignored.
The cases were '65, the frame '67, front end '69, top end '69, cam cover '64, oil pump'67, and no disc brakes, those are '67 style rear juice and round swingarm. The tanks were a '66 right and '67 left. It had two petcocks just to mess with people. Old stainless radio caddy, '65 bag guards, '73 rear fender, '59 type fender tips and bag guards, tool box on an e-glide batt box, late auto advance distributor, '88 inch motor, '65 mufflers, etc, etc..... and the seat was a brand new take-off from an early '77. Most comfortable seat H-D had made up to that time!
Not all is what it appears to be! unless you have a one owner never touched bike, anything is possible!
Robbie
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Re: 54 Panhead

#11

Post by Hog54 »

RUBONE wrote:Yes, No , and Maybe!
The point is that many bikes that appear somewhat stock are not at all!
I built that bike in '76 after losing my license riding hot-rod strokers too fast too often. So I gathered up all the mismatched junk I had a built a bike the cops liked and ignored.
The cases were '65, the frame '67, front end '69, top end '69, cam cover '64, oil pump'67, and no disc brakes, those are '67 style rear juice and round swingarm. The tanks were a '66 right and '67 left. It had two petcocks just to mess with people. Old stainless radio caddy, '65 bag guards, '73 rear fender, '59 type fender tips and bag guards, tool box on an e-glide batt box, late auto advance distributor, '88 inch motor, '65 mufflers, etc, etc..... and the seat was a brand new take-off from an early '77. Most comfortable seat H-D had made up to that time!
Not all is what it appears to be! unless you have a one owner never touched bike, anything is possible!
Robbie

I could of told you all that if you didnt use a camera that looks like it took pictures in the 60s. :D
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Re: 54 Panhead

#12

Post by RUBONE »

I could of told you all that if you didnt use a camera that looks like it took pictures in the 60s. :D
Instamatic 110! Pretty cool at the time, one handed shots off the bike worked well. Time has not been kind to the photos! :mrgreen:
Robbie
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Re: 54 Panhead

#13

Post by ronsworker »

A very interesting motorcycle.
That's great works!!!!!
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Re: 54 Panhead

#14

Post by Bosheff »

Oil pump appears to be a 68 or later lumium unit, but I'm sure you know what ya built. And the scissors seat. I hated em....bosheff
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Re: 54 Panhead

#15

Post by steve_wood »

Scissor seats might have been comfortable, but they look.... different.
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