Panhead longevity

[bangkokbob]

Hi peoples.
These pistons have done 55.5 k miles and I saw no evidence that anyone had been in this motor since it left hd in 1963.
Pulled down due to barrel base gasket leakage RS.
Bike still ran OK but was a bit flat due to tired rings.
So KB pistons first oversize fitted nice and now very peppy, smooth and crisp.
So how many miles can a well assembled motor be expected to last ?
Just wanting experience from others.
Regards, B.B.

[Larry]

May outlive you.

[pan620]

There are to many variables in your question for a true answer, but hold on there will people with answers.

[1950Panhead]

A panhead that ran 55k miles on a set of pistons had many oil changes, always riden conservative, never abused or raced.

[RooDog]

Help any engine live a long life: Clean air and oil. Use good filters on both the carburetor, and the return side of the oiling system. That way you will always have clean oil in the reservoir tank.
Modern lubrication products are far superior to the products then available when our motors were first produced, so use good oil, and keep it clean.....
....RooDog....

[doc9339]

The real key to PH longevity, beside routine maintenance as mentioned, is avoiding poor, cheap or short cut work on any work you do: The cause of most PH problems is shoddy work done by a long chain of owners over decades of use

When new, these bikes started and ran fine.