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Model overview:

E	61" cubic inches engine (e.g. EL)
F	74" cubic inches engine (e.g. FL)
L	high compression (7 : 1) (e.g. FL)
H	Super Sport, higher compression than FL model
S	sidecar gearing (e.g. FLS)
F	(not first character): footshift (e.g. FLF), not in VIN
P	springer forks (e.g. EP), stamped at end of serial number
E	(third character): 61" cam & M61 carburator (e.g. FLE)
B	electric start (e.g. FLB), not in VIN

Models
E	61" c.i., 6.5 : 1 compression
EL	61" c.i., high compression
EP	61" c.i., springer fork
ES	61" c.i., 6.5 : 1 compression, sidecar gearing
ELF	61" c.i., high compression, footshift
ELP	61" c.i., high compression, springer fork
ELS	61" c.i., high compression , sidecar gearing
EPS	61" c.i., springer fork, sidecar gearing, springer fork
ELPS	61" c.i., springer fork, sidecar gearing, springer fork
F	74" c.i., 6.6 : 1 compression
FL	74" c.i., high compression
FP	74" c.i., springer fork
FS	74" c.i., 6.6 : 1 compression, sidecar gearing
FLB	74" c.i., high compression, electric start
FLE	74" c.i., 61" cam & M61 carburator
FLF	74" c.i., high compression, footshift
FLH	74" c.i., high compression Super Sport
FLP	74" c.i., springer fork
FLS	74" c.i., sidecar gearing
FLEF	74" c.i., high compression, 61" cam & M61 carburator, footshift
FLFB	74" c.i., high compression, footshift, electric start
FLHB	74" c.i., high compression, electric start, Super Sport
FLHF	74" c.i., high compression, footshift, Super Sport
FLPS	74" c.i., high compression, springer fork, sidecar gearing
FLHFB	74" c.i., high compression, footshift, electric start, Super Sport

S (sidecar gearing) and F (footshift) not shown in serial number

General specifications 1948 - 1954
	E & EL	F & FL
Type of engine	61 C.I. OHV Twin	74 C.I. OHV Twin
Cylinder bore	3 5/16"	3 7/16" (87.3 mm)
Stroke	3 1/2" 3 31/32" (100.8 mm)
Piston displacement	60.32 cubic inch	73.66 cubic inch
Compression ratio	E: 6.5 to 1	F: 6.6 to 1
(low compression model)
Compression ratio	EL: 7.0 to 1	FL: 7.0 to 1
(high compression model)
Horsepower (N.A.C.C. rating)	8.77	9.44
Wheelbase	59 1/2"	59 1/2"

General specifications 1955 - 1957
	FL	FLH
Type of engine	74 C.I. OHV Twin
Cylinder bore	3 7/16" (87.3 mm)
Stroke	3 31/32" (100.8 mm)
Piston displacement	73.66 cubic inch (1207 cc)
Compression ratio	7.25 to 1	8.0 to 1
Horsepower	55.0 @ 5400 RPM	60 .0 @ 5500 RPM
Torque	62 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM	65 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM
Wheelbase	60"	60"

General specifications 1958
Wheel Base	61 in.	Bore	(87.3 mm) 3-7/16 in.
Overall Length	92 in.	Stroke	(100.8 mm) 3-31/32 in.
Overall Width	36 in.	Piston Displacement	(1,207 cc) 73.66 cu. in.
Fuel Tanks	3-3/4 Gallons	Torque	65 lb-ft at 3,200 R.P.M.
			62 lb-ft at 3,200 R.P.M_
Oil Tank	1 Gallon	Compression Ratio	FLH: 8 to 1
			FL: 7.25 to 1
Type	45 Degree V	Spark Plug	No. 3
		Horsepower	FLH: 58.5 HP at 5,400 R.P.M.
			FL: 53.0 HP at 5,400 R.P.M.

Sprockets and gear ratios
		1949 - 1954
Sprocket teeth:	4-speed		3-speed
	Solo	Sidecar	Solo	Sidecar
Engine sprocket E & EL 61	22	20	22	18
Engine sprocket F & FL 74	23	21	23	20
Clutch sprocket	37	37	37	37
Countershaft sprocket	22	22	22	22
Rear sprocket	51	51	51	51

		1958
Sprocket teeth
All Models
Clutch	37
Transmission	22
Rear Wheel	51
	4 Speed Transmission				3 Speed Transmission
	Solo		Sidecar		Solo		Sidecar
	FL	FLH	FL	FLH	FL	FLH	FL	FLH
Engine Sprocket	23	24	21	21	23	24	19	21
High Gear Ratio	3.73	3.57	4.08	4.08	3.73	3.57	4.50	4.08

Tire data
	Front	Rear	Sidecar
Solo, rider only
- 4.00 x 18 tire	14 lbs.	16 lbs.
- 4.50 x 18	12 lbs.	14 lbs.
- 5.00 x 16 tire	12 lbs.	14 lbs.
Solo, rider and 1 passenger
- 4.00 x 18 tire	18 lbs.	26 lbs.
- 4.50 x 18	12 lbs.	16 lbs.
- 5.00 x 16 tire	12 lbs.	16 lbs.
Sidecar, rider and 1 passenger or 150 lb. sidecar load
- 4.00 x 18 tire	20 lbs.	24 lbs.	14 lbs.
- 4.50 x 18	14 lbs.	16 lbs.	14 lbs.
- 5.00 x 16 tire	14 lbs.	16 lbs.	14 lbs.

Panheads in the Gallery

Information per year

Colors

Sources: Bruce Palmer: How to restore your Harley-Davidson
Greg Field: Original Harley-Davidson Panhead
Peter Henshaw: The legend of Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Panhead Service Manual - 1948 - 1957
This forum
and various other sources