In this video, I finish restoring my 1950 Panhead's engine. We at DeathProof Productions hope you enjoy this video and stick around to see the restoration for the rest of this soon-to-be amazing motorcycle.
Thats why I love Japanese motorcycle culture or just the Japanese in general. They have an appreciation and love for all things old. They'll ride pans and flats like nothing but take the most absolute care into maintaining and fabricating.
Hypnotizing video! Very enjoyable, a rest for tired eyes! Recently I've restored 42 years old IMZ M67-36 boxer engine (Ural motorcycle), so I know how hard it is to literally recreate an engine and make it better than it was new.
70s? a time of real choppers, toy runs and having tons of pictures of my mom and dad in full leathers. lol thank for the vid and the memories, my dad had a Panhead.
Like the way you made it look simple, I finished my 49 about a year ago and it didn't go that easy! The bike has owned me for 38 years and this will be the last rebuild. I don't ride it every day anymore but I went over everything and it usually is the nicest bike at the bars. I got a 83 shovel, 94 softtail, and a 2017 Roadmaster that I ride more than any other but my Pan is my baby.
I've had a '67 Shovel (which is basically a Pan lower with better oiling), a '45 45 WLA, a '79 Sportster, and my last one, that I went down on a month after I turned 65 (lady turned left in front of me). I'm actually considering one of those Free-Wheelers, which is a trike, without all the bags. I've got almost enough for a down payment. All I need is a loan from Navy Fed., and I'll be good to go. Oh, yeah, broke 9 bones in my left foot and ankle, but all-in-all, I'm okay. No Dain Bramage (that they can tell). I've always been like this. Lol
My Dad had a pan head, After he passed 31 yrs ago, my brothers and I went through “his box” we found in the bottom of his old 5 drawer dresser. In there I found an old receipt for an engine rebuild done by a shop in Jackson Mi. With the pistons & rings, gaskets, bearings, (I think) machine work etc, I recall the shop rebuilt the engine for his 38 Harley for under 117.00 bucks. I wish I’d of stuck it in my pocket so I’d have it ……… yep; hindsight is still 20/20 😂. Ironic as it is, later on in life my Dad became a Machinist and had an old Bridgeport, South Bend 13 in, 2 drill presses, etc. I can still see him “cking tolerances with his Sterrett mics 🙂, thanks for the ride back to some great memories. He sold his Panhead in 56, bought a 39 Ford dump truck to make bread n butter when he got laid off at the factory in S Michigan
Your video was great! I keep a 69 FLH running and a 57 Pan as well. Both “basically” stock. You are truly a master and the editing was fantastic. I have subscribed. About 10 years ago I had the shovel rebuilt. I never knew how the mechanic repaired a couple of broken fins. I especially enjoyed that section. THANK YOU!
No problem happy you enjoyed, it check out the next step the carb restoration and stay tuned for the transmission. coming to a you tube channel near you.
You did a nice job on that pan head. I've myself built many pan heads back in the mid 70's. The one thing I did differently was line hone the engine cases while bolted together to get a straight even bore for the crankshaft. Back then we installed oversized roller bearings for the main shafts after line honing. I always liked building the pan head and the knuckle heads. Great classics. I like you're work.
Maestro Sir, i loved every second this build, probably one of the best on youtube ! I suppose selling in segments would be the way to go, didnt know people would have so fussy in buying an original.....thankyou for your time
Thank you for the great video . I love watching people using their brains and their hands . I love old Harleys and this was a very interesting video . Kudos for your great skills and how you apply them .
Put it back together and keep it as the last owner had her, screw the persnickety crowd. I have a '41 EL that I was left after its owner passed away in the late '90s and when I rebuilt the engine and trans in '13, I saw it wasn't as it rolled out the factory door and I couldn't care less. I knew that when the owner was still alive, it had a pretty rich history of owners that had changed shit as needed over the near century it's been alive. I'm just the keeper of the flame until it's time to pass it on to a new owner that will hopefully take her for what she is. A motorcycle that's built to ride, is older than we are and respect the fact that she'll be here LONG after we are. Great job man, I'll keep watching for sure.
I always wanted a 65 pan but never happened. Rode a 64 for years. I'm 74 now and don't think it will ever happen. Nice rebuild job sir !!! Always nice to watch a artist at work.
This is what I liked to call, " SKILL ". Lovely video. The thing that cathed me, was the silence during the restore. Not a lot of talking, only nice moments of the assemble.
Many years ago--55 or so--I restored some late 40s Willys Jeeps, CJ-2A and 3A models, and like you I had to learn that making them run nice and look good, might not bring what one puts into them. This was very enjoyable to watch you, especially the modern way to make gaskets. I made many with a sheet of gasket material and a ball pein hammer and a sharp knife.
Improvised "extra hands" are what make videos like these therapy to watch. There are always moments in wrenching or building when you scratch your head and wonder "how the hell am I supposed to do THAT?!?". Then, after a cig or two, a beer, or whatever your habit is, it hits you. That warm, fuzzy feeling of pure genius. Good work man.
Motorcycles are made for fun transportation. It gets you from here to there. Personally I rather have a fun able to ride bike instead of a completely correct one. It shows it's journey just as much as the rider's.
This is really helpful and educational man. My father passed away when I was 16 and left me with his 99 dyna and his 57 panhead chopped, i am currently building the bike back to its original glory, this video makes it a little bit easier
thanks for the complement. I hate to hear that about your dad. i went through the same thing with my mom in my early twenties. My first new big twin was my 99 dyna if yours is black then its one of the first twincam engines that rolled off the line . In another 20 years it will be a collector item.
I tried to achieve the same thing, it took me a few years. Watching the video brings back good memories. The difference with him is that I have no training in car mechanics. I watched the tutorials a lot.
What a great toolbox and shop you have crafted! As to authenticity of parts, be fully disclosed, let any potential buyer know what know and what you discover, they can then decide for themselves. Nice work.
This is a great video! I’m about to rebuild a 1955 panhead from the ground up. It’s not matching numbers and original like this one. But hey at least I’ve got one! This video will be really useful for reference. Thanks so much.
Matching numbers are for purist and collectors. A pan head is bad assed anyway you want to look at it with the bikers and the hardcore motorcyclist. Do you and be proud of it. I want one.
I don't know if it's just me but I find these old engines much more pleasing to look at than the modern Harley motors. I wish modern designers would have a rethink.
I own a 1953. 74" bobber since 30 years. Useing a CV carb and works very well. Used an S&S B before but couldnt get it work well. Very useful video when I shall restore my engine.even liked your piston ring tool. Thank you for showing this information 🍻 🇸🇪
I love running the CV carbs on older bikes. I have a ton because they are so damn good. When you get your engine done send me a pic through my email. I would love to see it🍺 🇺🇸
Always wondered what a panhead was. Now I get it. Its basically a 2 cylinder Volkswagen engine with external push rods (and those classy pushrod tubes) and valve covers (pans) out on the ends of the heads.
You did a damn good job!!! I'm a old soul in young body. My favorite bike is the captain America panhead Harley davidson and in my opinion go with whatever you would love to do within yourself, Sir. I'd love to build my own bike from scratch and put a panhead in it I've been drawing a blueprint of a panhead chopper I'm naming the Orange Dream. Unfortunately I'm more poor than a orphan was in the great depression. My best of luck is with you on whatever your heart desires 😊 you're a incredible builder and inspire me I can build and restore anything from nothing.
thanks for the compliment. i can tell you from being a 17 year old kid bouncing from couch to couch at friends houses. to where I am now I've come along way. I'm blessed now to be able to do my on thing in my own time and build my bikes and ride them. it just took me staying focused on my dream and pushing forward. if your doing that than the orange dream is not gonna be just a dream. it will be sitting in your shop waiting for u to ride her. stay tuned for the rest of the build and remember keep the rubber side down.
I was a young marine and had a ‘48 panhead chopper. It barely ran and I had no money to get it right but it was great when it did. I sold it to a buddy and it got stolen from Cherry Point MCAS. Probably the best thing that could happen. Those small, light choppers were the best, new Harleys, meh. THANKS FOR SHARING.
wow ,watching you smear just the right amount of gasket sealant to the timing cover ,first time i seen someone else do it like me - good watch , keep what you can ,sell what you have to ,life goes on ,enjoy the beer
Its a fine restored Pan Head chief! Let it be known some parts are not the "original " parts or whatever, either way its find quality American craftsmanship! 💯 if someone wants "Original " tell them to build a time machine and go back to 1950 and buy a panhead! Anywho respect your work 💯!
A group of my friends find and restore/rebuild pre-WWI motorcycles and it's a labor of love and re-engineering. The design perimeters and metallurgy and bearing technology before WWI FORCED it forward, left everything to be desired, so in our "runstorations" we "modernize" the internals, often at great expense. CNC-ing new aluminum pistons to replace cast iron originals (we had machinist friends), Hand turning modern steel cranks and cams and heat-treating both is far more "art" than machining. Boring out bronze bushings in cases and fitting rolling element bearings is engineering art. We take a 5000 mile life engine and turn it into a 50,000+ mile re-build cycle engine and increase the horsepower by 10-20% by reducing friction and increasing efficiency. One of our gang rode his 1911 ACE to Sturgis from Sand Springs, OK this year (NOT a trailer queen!) Placed First for Antique ridden in and second in Oldest Bike and First in Oldest Bike ridden the farthest on a Columbia Bicycle frame with a 61 CID 52* V-twin engine and total-loss oiling system and acetylene headlight that he said had cars flashing their high-beams at him across Kansas and Nebraska! I aimed it so I KNOW it was legal and right! But the 9 inch reflector put out 12,000 Beam candlepower compared to HID or LED's at 4000-6000! I rigged a bicycle LED brake light for him using a magnetic switch.
Sell it complete, to someone in some country where it will get ridden and they value it being built to spec by someone that knows how to build it. Ask for the money you want, not what folks say it's worth. Your work is priceless.
@@DeathProofProductions you're very welcome, credit where credit is due. I've just discovered your channel and watched a lot. It's this kind of clear and comfortable to watch stuff that makes me feel much more confident at keeping my own engine alive into the future. Very reassuring.
😲 Wowzers! The work going on in this video and the way the video was put together is phenomenal! I'm mean damn I didn't turn my head a second shit I don't think I blinked an eye!!! Everything is so simple but so tedious! Great job bro!
The pan head has been my dream bike since I got out of the service in 1977 but I just can't afford one now. In 1974 I was stationed in S. Carolina. A group of us rented a beach house on Sulivans Island. There was three harleys parked in the dining room. One was a 1954 pan head. I wanted that bike in the worst way but at 19 on military pay I just didn't have the money. If I had one now or even the engine I would park the bike behind my bar or if I had the engine it would be on the bar just for me to appreciate. I'm 68 and retired now and probably will never see it come to be. Great video. Thank you.
I just now subscribed as your channel popped up on the suggested RU-vid. Love watching your content I'm 72 and my first HD was a '69 Sportster that I chopped in '72 a ton of chrome till I realized on my next bike a '66 Slab Shovel with essential chrome cause Chrome don't get you home. It was the best riding bike I ever had. Sold it and the Sporty in 1988 to finance my framing const business. Have owned many HDs since then all newer they never stayed with me too long cause they just couldn't measure up to the '66. Will be looking forward to more content.
I'd buy as is myself. I'm a shovelhead guy. Just totalled my 68 shovelhead because an idiot slammed on brakes on a 2 lane road doing 65mph, there was nothing I could do. But a buddy bought the bike and sold it right back to me, now I'm gonna start rebuilding it. Good job my buddy
thanks, i love the hell out of shovels to. my first build was a 76 fxe back in 1998 it was the bike that flung the craving on me to become a harley mechanic. i just finished my 77 flh and were gonna make a vid for it first fire up so stay tuned.
@@DeathProofProductions I will. Man I can't wait to be able to get back on mine. It's still going to be a little bit. I've had 14 surgeries on my leg. Now I have another coming up for my hand. Then some oral surgery. Hell fire 🔥. Lol
,,,,enjoyed the blast in time....I have most of the tools shown to complete the job , as for decades my passion for my shovelheads led me.......I worked for Hempstead hog in Nassau NY ,,and Lombardi's hog in Staten Island NY ......I learned something from this fine video,,,,,,,,,Splitting wheels with two small wedges , instead of one large one,,,,or just slammin a lead hammer to the side of em , while holdin them by the two rods....................
My old call on motorcycle shop was T&T motors on St Claire in Cleveland Ohio. The owner always called all the bikes motors.This kind of bike shop is gone forever. I'm glad I got to see this.
I would rather see a bike that ridden ,leakingt oil and rusty than a bike thats totally original but never ridden, just ride it and enjoy .Great video,greetings from England,shovelhead owner here
Nah I'm with you on the second part bro, put her all back together and find a home that's gonna love her, I'm with ya, if I built a bike and it was my baby and some guy parted her out, I'd lose my shit, all the love, all the time and energy put into her.. the rides and memories. Shoot to me man, that's like tearing out a person's soul and saying well she's a lil banged up, spose we better part her out. Best of luck brother man
