1950 panhead chopper rebuild

Taking apart and rebuilding 1950 panhed

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lavaman
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1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#1

Post by lavaman »

[attachment=4]IMG_0356.JPG[/attachment]I would first like to say thanks for having me here, I have learned allot already just reading past posts.
I Bought this Panhead while I was in the Marine Corps in the 80's. I completely tore it down and had everything form the ground up either replaced with new parts or rebuilt, tranny, upper end lower end, new paint etc. I rode it for about 2 years before I got deployed. After being away for 12 months, I got stationed in Hawaii where the bike took a beating from the salt air. Long story short, the bike has been sitting here In storage for the last 18 yrs and is ready to get back on the road again.

The outside chrome and paint look like shit but inside I doubt if the motor has more than 3000 miles on her. I hardly ever had time to ride. Here is where I need elp from you guys. WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN????
My plan is to first replace the broken Choke Cable and Tube Assembly than replace the old electronics, battery, coil, regulator with new parts and also replace any other broken shit I find along the way. I also plan to rebuild the carb as soon as possible. before I repaint the frame I'd like to have it checked for cracks.

Any advice as to where to begin would be much appreciated. I live on the Big Island Hawaii so there isn't much in the way of recources here and deffintily hard if not impossible to find original parts. Sorry about the upside down carb picture, not sure how to change it.[attachment=3]IMG_0317.JPG[/attachment]

Thanks and Aloha.
Last edited by lavaman on Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
lavaman
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#2

Post by lavaman »

I am having trouble posting images. sorry.
panhead
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#3

Post by panhead »

I am having trouble posting images. sorry.
Should be solved now.
Andygears
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#4

Post by Andygears »

Has it had any maintenance thru the years? Oil in cylinders? Kicked over? Gas drained?

I would suggest you read the long thread " Why did this '58 get parked?" Many of the actions he took would apply to yours. And patina choppers are in now, so you may want to leave the not-so-shiny stuff as is!

My two cents
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#5

Post by nmaineron »

I would have to take it down to the bearings.The salt air doesn't just stay on the outside specially after 18 yrs.
lavaman
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#6

Post by lavaman »

Thanks, yes, the gas has been drained and there is oil in it. I move it around from time to time during the year and lightly turned it over each time.
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#7

Post by VPH-D »

Every part of that bike needs to be completely disassembled for probable rebuild or replacement.
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rigidpanman
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#8

Post by rigidpanman »

is that style upper motor mount still available?
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#9

Post by Buddhahoodvatoloco »

I love that bike, yea those upper motor mounts are still around.
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#10

Post by rigidpanman »

I need to find one,thanks
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#11

Post by VPH-D »

It's an FX/FXE top motor mount, 73-83, or so.
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rigidpanman
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#12

Post by rigidpanman »

Groovy,thanks
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Re: 1950 panhead chopper rebuild

#13

Post by Pete808 »

Cool project. I'm on Oahu, if you need help finding parts let me know. I don't have much but have met enough people out here that can help you out. 808-783-4221 is my cell.
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