48 Restoration

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SFC Diesel
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48 Restoration

#1

Post by SFC Diesel »

I have had my bike for almost a year now, and was starting to seriously persue restoration.

so I have some questions.

1. the only thing that is original is the 48 motor its self, so what is a good place to start.
( I was thinking about getting a frame, but can't find any except V-twin)
2. Next does any one have a rough idea on how much a good restoration cost?
( it maybe a little much for me, at the moment, so I might just have to give up on this dream for now and sell the bike to someone who could afford it, I hate seeing things just sit and not get done.
3. Does anyone know about how many 48's pans were made
( I was thinking i got something special and some what rare, the way everyone reacted when I'm riding around.)

4. if I was to sell the bike, about how much would it be worth
(I am having issues getting the pic to upload, but if you search SSG. Diesel and click on the post that says Sayin Hi the pic comes up.)
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VPH-D
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Re: 48 Restoration

#2

Post by VPH-D »

1948 is the most common of all Panheads. Production numbers were almost 13,000. If you have only a 48 motor, maybe you should re-think the restoration idea, the cost will be pretty stiff.
VPH-D
LittleAl
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Re: 48 Restoration

#3

Post by LittleAl »

I brought a 1954 motor & trans in a 1971 swingarm frame. It was a bike ridden daily.

I started with turning it into a basket case, keeping only the motor, trans and some misc. parts that were original for a '54. I sold everything I didn't want on ebay to raise money to buy original (when possible) stuff. The most expensive part was a unmolested frame ($1800) and I went from there. I have almost 100% of the parts now, many good repo stuff from various vendors but mostly original. I've also been able to trade or buy parts from members here and another Pan forum I belong to. Total cost so far, not counting my original purchase of the bike, is (oh my God!) about $7000 and I have about another $2500 to spend (paint, seat reupholstering and some parts still).

it won't matter to me in the end how much I spend, as long as I can still afford it nor what it will be worth when I'm done. My grandkids will have to worry about that, IF they can't fit her into my coffin with me, lol. Buying, restoring, RIDING this bike fulfills a 25 year dream.

that's my story, for whatever it's worth.
SFC Diesel
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Re: 48 Restoration

#4

Post by SFC Diesel »

LittleAl wrote:I brought a 1954 motor & trans in a 1971 swingarm frame. It was a bike ridden daily.

I started with turning it into a basket case, keeping only the motor, trans and some misc. parts that were original for a '54. I sold everything I didn't want on ebay to raise money to buy original (when possible) stuff. The most expensive part was a unmolested frame ($1800) and I went from there. I have almost 100% of the parts now, many good repo stuff from various vendors but mostly original. I've also been able to trade or buy parts from members here and another Pan forum I belong to. Total cost so far, not counting my original purchase of the bike, is (oh my God!) about $7000 and I have about another $2500 to spend (paint, seat reupholstering and some parts still).

it won't matter to me in the end how much I spend, as long as I can still afford it nor what it will be worth when I'm done. My grandkids will have to worry about that, IF they can't fit her into my coffin with me, lol. Buying, restoring, RIDING this bike fulfills a 25 year dream.

that's my story, for whatever it's worth.
I'm glad to hear your story,

I guess I just need to relax and take my time, quit being so impatient.

I guess what sucks is I wont have a bike to ride for awhile :(
Lethal Farce
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Re: 48 Restoration

#5

Post by Lethal Farce »

Hi SSG,
Nice looking bike. I am working on a 48 myself. If its a good runner, I would just put on an original style seat w/ pogo and orig style bars. With the mix of different year parts, disc brakes, No springer, Chrome, etc., You will spend a fortune in time or money or both converting it to original. Its a good looking bike as is.
LF
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Re: 48 Restoration

#6

Post by PanPal »

Running Restorations are cool. Especially on those first warm days when all you want to do is go home a ride!
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Re: 48 Restoration

#7

Post by Cotten »

I have known fellows who started with nothing but a legal left case.

But the results never qualified as "restorations".

....Cotten
john HD
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Re: 48 Restoration

#8

Post by john HD »

ssg.

just looked at your pic.

run it as is and collect the parts. that is most of the fun owning one of these bikes.

i started with a lot less than you have and this is the not finished end result. i still have a list a mile long to complete but enjoy riding every time i get it out of the garage.

and, welcome to the forum!

john
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Re: 48 Restoration

#9

Post by john HD »

ssg,

one other thing i got from your first post, what's up with the diesels?

i got an older chebby with a 6.5 turbo and use it for plowing snow.

i love blowing black smoke at the prius crowd!

john :mrgreen:
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LittleAl
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Re: 48 Restoration

#10

Post by LittleAl »

Cotten, trust me I used the words retore and restoration very loosely, it's only used here in the context of going towards an original looking bike. I'm not (re)building my bike for points but rather for my own personal satisfaction and riding pleasure.

we all hear a different beat, some more then others, but a Pan that's ridden, well THATS the very best part isn't it?
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Re: 48 Restoration

#11

Post by Cotten »

LittleAl wrote:Cotten, trust me I used the words retore and restoration very loosely, it's only used here in the context of going towards an original looking bike. I'm not (re)building my bike for points but rather for my own personal satisfaction and riding pleasure.

we all hear a different beat, some more then others, but a Pan that's ridden, well THATS the very best part isn't it?
Al!

What's riding got to do with it?

The best part about a personalized machine is that you shouldn't have to sell any vital organs on the black market to afford one.

....Cotten
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Re: 48 Restoration

#12

Post by Ohio-Rider »

Hi Diesel,
You have a good start towards a period modified bike. There’s no need not to ride the bike while working towards a restoration. I’ve been building my panhead for seven years and not missed a single riding season. If I find any original parts during the summer I set them aside and only replace the aftermarket parts with the originals during the winter months. I don’t set time tables for having it done cause that’s not the most important part of it to me. I like to have my cake and eat it too.

What ever you do don’t sell it cause you’ll be kicking yourself for doing so in a very short period of time. Good Luck
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Re: 48 Restoration

#13

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

SSG, I had a look at your Sayin Hi post and saw the bike below so I thought I'd post it for you because you said you were having issues with the picture. You mentioned the only thing that is original is the 48 motor but the right-hand crankcase appears to have a cap for the oil screen etc which wasn't introduced until mid/late 1952 so I'm a bit intrigued. Eric

Image
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Re: 48 Restoration

#14

Post by cosmiccowboy »

You should beable to build your bike anyway you want, just be aware there are people that will disagree with you regardless what you do. I personaly stay away from the restorations because I don't have the money or the time to do it correctly. I build them the way I like, but also I stay away from changing anything that can't be redone incase the next guy has diferent ideas. Thats why I don't search for original parts, they are better suited to the restorer than me as I can find something that will work and look good with out altering an old part. When I got my 64 every tab had been cut off the frame so what did I do, I made it into a period chopper instead of restoring without doing anymore damage than had already been done. I saved ten grand in resto cost and I have a bike to ride. To me keeping this old iron on the road is more important than adding trailer queens to the world. If its unmolested restore if not rebuild without doing more damage.
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Re: 48 Restoration

#15

Post by pan57 »

ssg

That is a great looking bike just the way it is. i have a 57 that is no where close to restored. I have been collecting parts for this bike for about 3 yrs now. I figure one day i will have the desire to restore it but until then i am enjoying the ride. When I first got my bike it was all in boxes and it took me about 18 months just to have a running bike so i was happy to have it running in any style. All the old timers (no offense guys) told me the most valueble lesson I am going to learn with my bike is PATIENTS. Don't rush the process, enjoy it.
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