panhead FL 1953

VIN Identification
Amazon122
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#31

Post by Amazon122 »

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Amazon122
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#32

Post by Amazon122 »

here some pictures of the 48 EL
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#33

Post by Bigincher »

That frame has been rode hard and put away wet.
Was once a chopper, lots of poor repairs, but it's not a '48 frame anyway. More like a '53. It's not pretty, but will probably do the job.
Just don't fool yourself into thinking the frame is a '48. It's not. But for an assemblage of parts like that, it'll be fine.
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#34

Post by RUBONE »

Not much in that pile '48. Those are late or repop tanks, repop primary cover, '60s dash (with repop speedo), '60s muffler, footshift tranny and controls didn't start until '52, those are much later, wrong kickstand, wrong kickstart, wrong bars, etc, etc. That pile would have to be pretty cheap to consider building something close to stock. Frame set up for juice brakes, sidecar loops, rear stand mount, neck,toolbox mount, tank and dash mounts, all missing or messed with.
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#35

Post by Amazon122 »

thank you guys. I'm glad I've entered this forum. I have found that it is very difficult to find and buy an original panhead.
So maybe the 1953er is still the best buy. There are not many Panheads to choose from in Denmark.
Maybe I should drop my panhead thoughts and be content with my 1919 J model

Faak annette ole korrig.jpg
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#36

Post by Buddhahoodvatoloco »

Touche, brillant, brillant. Well executed..
Amazon122 wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:53 am thank you guys. I'm glad I've entered this forum. I have found that it is very difficult to find and buy an original panhead.
So maybe the 1953er is still the best buy. There are not many Panheads to choose from in Denmark.
Maybe I should drop my panhead thoughts and be content with my 1919 J modelFaak annette ole korrig.jpg
Amazon122
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#37

Post by Amazon122 »

I found this case from 1954 on the internet. It looks like the 48-52 model you wrote about ?

Image

Speeding Big Twin wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:58 am

Ole, welcome to the forum. As mentioned above, the VIN was not factory-stamped. It is way too high and some characters are not consistent with H-D styles for a 53 Pan VIN. I do not know the exact production amount for 1953 model Panheads but the highest examples I have of authentic-looking VINs for 53FL/FLE are in the 6000s. At this stage I doubt that authentic 53 Pan VINs reached the 7000s. (As Robbie mentioned, VINs for 53 Pans began at 1000.)

Left case may be H-D but it isn’t 53; instead it appears to be 48–early-52. In my photo below, compare the red squared-area with the same area in your pictures. That area changed about mid-52 (model year) to the style in my photo.


Pan left case.jpg

Stamped under each case near the outer edges and somewhat toward the front you may find belly numbers and they may be formatted similar to one of the following examples: 148-1234; 249-1234; 350-1234; 150-1234; 151-1234; 152-1234. Please let us know what you find because these numbers will give us more of an idea what year each case is. Photos would be good because sometimes we find fake belly numbers.

Stamped on top of each case near the rear engine mounting bolts you may or may not find 7s. I can’t see anything there at the moment but can you post a clear close-up of that section. Thanks.
Eric

NB: for the benefit of anyone with Bruce Palmer’s 37–64 books (FE and/or SE) you’ll notice he indicates the change to the front of the Pan left case occurred as of 55 models. Both editions of the book are wrong. The change occurred about mid-52 (model year) as I mentioned above.
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#38

Post by Bigincher »

Amazon122 wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:53 am thank you guys. I'm glad I've entered this forum. I have found that it is very difficult to find and buy an original panhead.
So maybe the 1953er is still the best buy. There are not many Panheads to choose from in Denmark.
Maybe I should drop my panhead thoughts and be content with my 1919 J modelFaak annette ole korrig.jpg
That's sure a nice J-Model...!
On the panhead, it all depends on what you want to achieve. Certainly, the value lies in originality. How much would you expect to pay for an all-original '53 in Denmark? Do they even exist?
From that lofty benchmark, how low do you go? If you "just want a panhead", that pile you showed can (eventually) be made into a panhead motorcycle. However, the real monetary value will be low, for the reasons already given. A sale once completed would likely not cover the costs to assemble it.
Many (younger) guys aren't that concerned about the 'value'; they "just want a panhead", it's their first vintage bike, they "don't care about the value", it's "not going to be judged", etc etc etc. And in the end, they will have assembled a decent running, fun, rideable *totally incorrect* 'bobber ' style bike, and will have learned a lot about owning and working on an old panhead, and had fun doing so, riding it all over the place. They are young enough that it's all written off as tuition; payment for the lessons learned and the fun it brought them. And they will have time later in life where they can move on into a more original, more valuable machine.
Now back to your quest- if you want a machine that holds it's value, obviously you need to find something much more original. (And agonize over the lack of available machines, how much they cost, how will I get it here, etc etc etc...) But if you just want something to put together with whatever is in the pile, have fun riding it afterwards, not worry or give a damn about 'correctness' or 'originality', then there are probably a lot of piles out there like this one. The trick will be to not over-pay.
You just have to know which direction you want to go.
Those are just my thoughts, which may not mean a damn thing.....................
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#39

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Ole, that’s a nice early machine you have but I’m sure you can find a nice Panhead too.

Regarding the blue Pan, its left case appears to be 48–early-52. But the case I posted is different, as indicated by its red squared-area. The change to the style in my photo occurred about mid-52 as I mentioned above.
The R-H case of the blue Pan appears to be later-48–early-52. If you’re still considering buying this bike then we can give you more info if you post its belly numbers.

Re the 54 case you found on the net, its casting at front left is the same as the red squared-area in the picture I posted. I’ve seen the 54 VIN before and I have a close-up of it. The VIN boss has horizontal blemishes or abnormalities below the 0 and 32. And a small blemish below the 5 where the boss meets the curve of the case. Not so easy to spot in your photo but the blemishes are very noticeable in the close-up I have. They are part of the casting so no need for concern and they are often found on 1954 models, but not always.
BTW, I can’t see anything wrong with the 54 VIN characters and they all appear consistent with factory types for a 54 Pan.

As for the basket case you posted, if you’re interested in that engine can you provide more photos please. I’m intrigued by the markings at the base of the rear cylinder. And what does the VIN look like?
Eric
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#40

Post by Amazon122 »

You are absolutely right in all your considerations about Panhead and to own and drive one.
I have never seen an original Panhead in Denmark, but they'll probably be there somewhere. But not for sale. The blue 1953 FL costs in Denmark 22,500, - (dollars).
The 1948 project costs 14,500, - I think the price is high, but a 48 is almost impossible to find in Danmar. (and then I found this 12 km from my place) :-) I will try to photograph those "belly numbers"
It's not important to me if the bike is 100% original, but trying to buy something that holds the value.

I sold a Shovelhead last year. I have regretted that.
It was a 1974 FXE Super Glide Low Rider. Still in original paint and 99% original

They are also hard to find in DK. All Panhead and Shovelhead are "chopped" or "bobbed" or converted to the owner's personal wishes
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Amazon122
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#41

Post by Amazon122 »

Now we are talking so much about American motorcycles, so I will just show you a Danish motorcycle. I do not know if you know it?
It is a Nimbus "stovepipe" 750cc. 1923. It was produced from 1919-1927 in 1200 copies. I have 2 from 1923.
Later, the factory arrived with a new model in 1934. There were made 12000 pieces to 1960
Of this, 6000 still drive
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Amazon122
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#42

Post by Amazon122 »

my girlfriend and I as participants in a Danish rally - "Skagen Rally". It is a run of 1200 km through Denmark in 4 days. There are about 200 motorcycles attending. All from before 1934
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#43

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Great pictures. Two of my mates bought 1974 Super Glides new. One was later sold to a mutual friend, making him the second owner and he is currently restoring it.

My first Harley was a used 1974 E-Glide that I purchased in 76 but I sold it long ago. When I bought it the colour was the same as your Super Glide.

I’ve heard of the Nimbus and seen pictures of them before. Good to know they are still ridden.
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#44

Post by kevsett »

Your Nimbus is proof that high gloss urethane and chrome are not necessary for old iron to turn heads and impress. I'm about 10 years from retiring and hope more time at the end allows for taking USA style "Skagen Rally" rides with other enthusiasts. Great pics.
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Re: panhead FL 1953

#45

Post by Buddhahoodvatoloco »

Fantastic, fantastic. Thanks for shareing pics of your bikes. Be well.
Amazon122 wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:35 am my girlfriend and I as participants in a Danish rally - "Skagen Rally". It is a run of 1200 km through Denmark in 4 days. There are about 200 motorcycles attending. All from before 1934
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