My Panhead Story !

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crasha51pan
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My Panhead Story !

#1

Post by crasha51pan »

1970, been out of the United States Marine Corp for one year. Found my first serious relationship, a 1948 Pan. These bikes would shape my future for the next 32 years....
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#2

Post by panz4ever »

Gotta love the old style pan choppers. Welcome to the forum. great place w/ a ton of collective knowledge.

Nice quote. From the movie Jerimiah Johnson I believe?
crasha51pan
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#3

Post by crasha51pan »

The quote is from J.J.. Might make more sence the further I get into my post. Your right, it was a nice scoot. Style is correct, since Easy Rider had come out the year before. Frame was stretched, neck raked, 8" over AEE Ultra Narrow Springer up front. Like ridin in a rockin chair !!
crasha51pan
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#4

Post by crasha51pan »

Me and that old scooter rode all over California, happiest in the mountains..
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crasha51pan
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#5

Post by crasha51pan »

Returned from RVN and discharged

I was lost and this Pan filled a huge hole !!
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crasha51pan
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#6

Post by crasha51pan »

Breakdowns happen, parts bein shagged, repairs bein made. Time to catch up on some sleep...
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crasha51pan
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#7

Post by crasha51pan »

This is for any VNV, you old tramps might find this interesting. My son is on his way back from Iraq, he's in Kuwait now. He called me last night, seems they are interviewing the guy's, checkin for PTSD I guess. They gave them some "SIGNS" they needed to be on the lookout for. These two were most interesting.
1. If they began to fight
2. If they buy a motorcycle
He said, "Dad, now it all makes sence".....I had to laugh !!!!
crasha51pan
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#8

Post by crasha51pan »

I learned early on, 2 or 3 bikes roll into town, not much problem "usually". A pack rolls into town, drama follows ! People were uneasy...
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crasha51pan
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#9

Post by crasha51pan »

Riding the Redwoods, Avenue of the Giants or Sequoia, on the back of that Pan was like magic....
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crasha51pan
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#10

Post by crasha51pan »

Parties, sleepin in the dirt, crazy...
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God, if I could only be young again !!
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#11

Post by Pooka »

crasha51pan wrote:This is for any VNV, you old tramps might find this interesting. My son is on his way back from Iraq, he's in Kuwait now. He called me last night, seems they are interviewing the guy's, checkin for PTSD I guess. They gave them some "SIGNS" they needed to be on the lookout for. These two were most interesting.
1. If they began to fight
2. If they buy a motorcycle
He said, "Dad, now it all makes sence".....I had to laugh !!!!
21 months 12 days in country !
5 months back in the world and in the wind on a '50 pan !
3rd FMF
Semper Fi
:twisted:
crasha51pan
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#12

Post by crasha51pan »

B Company
3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion
1st Marine Division
66-67

Welcome Home Brother !!!! It appears we both had the same "warning signs" they told my son about.....
crasha51pan
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#13

Post by crasha51pan »

Have you ever ridden so far so fast that you just couldn't ride any further ?
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Guest

#14

Post by Guest »

1. If they began to fight
2. If they buy a motorcycle
" Warning Signs " (?)
Hell when I came back I was as crazy as an out house mouse !
I knew no fear, what was the worst they could do ?
Kill me or send me back to Nam !
This is going to sound really screwed up, but when I was in country,
I wanted to go home.
When I got home, I wanted to go back to Nam. :?
Not all wound are visable, like I need to tell you. Right ?
Hope your son comes home safe and sane.
And to you .
Welcome Home Brother !!
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#15

Post by Pooka »

"warning signs"
I think they should have added another " warning sign " or two.
Exseve use of alchol
Exseve use of druges , prescribed or ileagle.
If I remember right, it what the V.A. Dr.'s called self medication.
Call it what you want.
The '70's and '80's are a blur of stupid.
The only sane part of that time period was an old Panhead.
In momets of clearity, I would ride for hours, to nowhere.
Clean and sober sense 11/ 91.
The flashbacks are still there, and so are the memories.
Just easier to deal with now.
Tell your son to make his old man proud, but most of all come home soon,
and well.
And Welcome Home to you to Brother !
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