panhead inspired crossbones

[dragpipe]

surprised no-one asked. what are youre thoughts on the new crossbones designed after he panheads? i know its apples and oranges, but its still fruit...

[Ripley/Fla]

To me it is more of the same from the factory. Trying to make 'new' bikes look like 'old' bikes to sell them to the rich urban biker. I wouldn't mind having the Darth Vadar catseye dash on my bike tho.

[xnoahx]

I wouldnt call it panhead inspired, seeing as how the pan didnt have a springer from the factory. I would call it old school styling with the polished engine covers and the lack of chrome and the spring seat. I dont know if anyone has tried it but I think that stock seat might bolt up to our original seat posts. Something about the seatpan having the same part number as a 48. Its a cool looking bike for people that like the styling. I love my pan but I wouldnt mind the ease of riding on a new bike also.

[Guest]

Its a cool looking bike for people that like the styling. I love my pan but I wouldnt mind the ease of riding on a new bike also.

Not ME!! I'm TOTALLY CONTENT on my Panhead!!!!!!

[awander]

seeing as how the pan didnt have a springer from the factory.

Well, some of them did.....

[JGroves]

Even though 49 was the first year of the Hydra-Glide you could still order a springer.

[awander]

...The Panhead motor was introduced in 1948. Right?

As far as I know, all 1948 Pans came with a springer.

Not sure about being able to buy a factory Pan with a springer in 1949, though.

[FlatHeadSix]

the crossbones is not the first "inspired" bike the factory has put in the showrooms. Where do you think they got the idea for the Heritage Softail?, and the Heritage Springers a few years ago with the Olive Green and Black 1935 paint scheme, tank decals, etc., was not an accident either.

The motor company knows that everyone likes the look of the old bikes but they are not ever going to do anything to help us keep the real ones running, there is a lot more profit in selling new ones.

mike

[Cotten]

The Experts proclaim that all '49 big twins with a springer also had a "P" for 'package truck" to the right of the VIN boss.

However, I have a saved scan somewhere (from the FHP forum) of a Belgian sales brochure offering solos with springers.

My '49 chassis with an offset springer found in the mud behind an extinct Indian dealership was obviously an 'export model'!

Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it.

.....Cotten

[Perry Ruiter]

OK boys and girls - a hydra-glide.com exclusive for you. Factory proof of 49s with springers! Attached are two 1949 order blanks. Beside the form number in the upper left is the date. The Sept. 1st 1948 form has an option to "supply spring fork in place of hydraulic fork" (and save $35 to boot!). By Oct. 15 1948 that option was gone from the form and the hydraulic fork was now the Hydra-Glide (hence the reason hydra-glide.com should see this first) ... Perry

[panhead]

Thank you Perry! Interesting.

[Worshamcastle]

The Crossbones seat will fit the older seat T as it is made on the same style shell assembly ( seat pan) although it is a thinner guage metal. I have one on my 1971FL that the Milsco factory sent me. Not to pat myself on the back, but it was my idea (not my design) for them to produce a more modern solo seat on the old style seat pan------

[RussW]

And a comfy seat it is. For about a hundred bucks for a new take-off seat on Ebay, it makes for a reasonably priced option to a small solo.