It was 1948 and Harley Davidson released a motorcycle that would influence generations of bikers.
During its reign of 17 years in production, it would see the demise of the Indian Motorcycle company.
It would star in every biker movie that was made, be ridden by influential male movie stars, then and now, and with a production top speed of over 100mph with over 1200cc or 74 cu in, was the Gorilla bike in a field of monkeys.
From humble beginnings in 1948, the Harley Davidson 1948 FL Panhead was released.
The '48 Pan and it's Panhead followers, would star in the biker films of; Easy Rider, Hells Angels on Wheels, The Glory Stompers, Hell Ride, Werewolves on Wheels, Angels Hard as They Come, Hells Angels, Hard as they come, Foxy Brown, Wild Hogs, Adam-12, Archer, A Bronx Tale, Car crazy, Happy Days, The Wild Angels, Bury Me an Angel, My Mother the Car, Gonzo-the-life-and-work-of-dr-hunter-s-Thompson, The gauntlet, Dawn of the Dead, Highway 61, Every Which way but Loose, Archer, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Low Blow, Vanishing Point, Amityville: Dollhouse, CSI, Mask, The Hoodlum, Adam, West Surf, Electra Glide in Blue, Ghostrider, Hellgate, Prisoner and many more
And so the Panhead cemented itself in the annuls of history.
The root of these bikes was the 1948 Panhead FL, a bike that was the platform for all bobbers, choppers, and others, that followed in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, and that’s why they are so rare, because each and every one was changed, customised, chopped and bobbed until the original existed no more.
The 1948 Panhead FL has become the Holy Grail of Harley Davidson motorcycling history. This bike was the connecting link between the older and new engine designs. The year of transition from Knucklehead to Panhead. It was the last year of the iconic spring forks, the first year of hydraulic lifters, big valves and several other innovations. It wasn’t realised at the time but the ‘48 Panhead was, and is, a design icon, a cultural symbol and represented a new era of motorcycling history.
This 1948 Panhead FL has been comprehensively restored and judged by the American Motorcycle Club (AMCA) as being 87% original to the showroom specification in 1948. Certificates included with sale. It has Original Matching cases, Original Frame and Springer Forks, Original safety bars, generator, tanks, brakes, cylinders, transmission, and just too many original parts too list. This is a nut and bolt rebuild using mostly NOS parts sourced from around the world.
It has the upgraded oil pump, ram jet clutch, new 20 thou over pistons and rebore, new tyres, safety rims, new battery, wiring, speedometer, seat, sealed and tested intake system, electronic regulator, and rebuilt heads
It has been restored with the 'Deluxe' chrome add ons and is finished in classic black.
Full restoration history with photos and bills will be provided with the sale.
Videos of the bike can be seen on line - send message for details.
All Offers considered
