1954 Panhead ???

1954

The year of my birth.... But as much as I can search, I can not find a engine to build a bike around, muchless a complete motorcycle..

Is there any special reason that I can not find a engine....or set of cases?

Was this year a "one year only" for Harley?

George

54 and 55 are some of the lowest production of the panheads. 48 to 50 are by far the commonest. I've owned a couple but not recently. I'll keep a look out for one if you are interested.

Jerry

Jerry,

You have a PM here from me.

George

I know of a real nice '55 motor if you're interested. You could be one year younger.

I doubt you will notice the difference what year you have when you ride it. I, too wanted one that matched my birth year. It happened that what I got was a couple of years off. It doesn't matter. I don't think I had less fun over the years because of it.

54 is my birth year also. I was after an original 54 police for a number of years, and was promised first dibs, but it never happened and the bike got away. I still wouldn't kick a 54 (or any other year)out of bed for eating mashed potatoes but I think the 56 FLH is the way to go. Nicer paint scheme and it's got the Timken bottom end. That's the one I want.

i'm pretty happy with my '55. both '54 and '55 bikes are odd balls as they both had many one year only features.

i can say i have only seen one '54 in stock configuration over the years.

can anyone name the two items that late '54 and '55's share?

john

Straight leg frames and valve tins and D rings with half the holes.

Jerry

jerry nailed it!

john

George,
I know where there are two 54's that are available. Both restorations, one better than the other. Give me a call at 605-225-5702 and I can give you some #s.
Carl

Lemme see now. I was born in August 1945 so a 1945 model should be right for me. But wait a minute. In August 1945 they were building the 1946 models. Oh woe is me. Whatever should I do?

It seems to me that your only choice is to buy a 45 and a 46......... or maybe a 1946 45?

Chris.. Get yourself a 45 and put a 46 front end on it.
Man, I had no idea you where that old. I'll need to start showing you more respect now.
-Steve

Carl...

Thanks...

Not in a position at the present time to purchase a complete bike...as much as I would love to.

Just kinda looking at the reason for not being able to find cases or bikes at the present..

Low production runs makes sense to me, and I am trying to learn more about these engines, and bikes.........

Thanks for the offer!!

How about one of the shortie trannie plugs for the 45??

Sent you and Matt a email about them, got any???

George

OK folks........

Seems like I am either living right....Or some luck may be on me...

I was at work chatting with a fella about looking for a pan engine or cases for the year that I was born...........

After not being able to find any leads for a while.....now I have two leads here in Germany for engines thrown at me.....

Now.......my questions..

One of these is just a set of cases.......the other lead is a complete engine...

Any insite on what to look for, to make sure I ain't getting the shaft??

Any tips.......

What would be a good/decent/fair price for: Engine cases?? Complete Engine.

Thanks.......

George