1957 Harley Davidson FL Panhead Chopper
-chopped in the 60's by a builder up in Fresno, CA 1%
-Original custom paint
-molded tank/frame OEM
-Original 60's AEE Springer Front end
-rocker clutch
-suicide shift
-New Rex Upholstery Seat
-Custom Sissy Bar
-Clean Cali Title (titled as a 1957 HD FL)
-tags up to date
-Bates headlight
-Flanders handlebars
Mechanical Upgrade
S&S carb/manifold
new ignition coil/wires
This bike is a survivor with original paint and tank/frame molds and only upgrade made since the build back in the 60's is the new king/queen seat and a modern S&S carb for reliability. Bike runs and starts but it was mostly just parked in our showroom as display and new owner should be sure to be familiar/comfortable riding this style of bike with no front brake and suicide shifter
This is a true 1960's Survivor Chopper with the exception of a S&S super E carb for reliability and easy starting and a new King/Queen seat from Rex's Upholstery. This Panhead runs strong and very easy to start with great compression;
-Molded Tank/Frame with original custom paint
-Original rare AEE Springer Front End
-Original Bates headlight
-Original flanders handlebars
-Rocker Clutch
-Suicide Clutch with handmade cast skull knob
-New Rex Upholstery King/Queen seat
-S&S Super E carb shorty
-Custom Sissy Bar with tail light
-Clean title
To start the bike: (COLD)
-turn gas on
-twist throttle a couple times
-prime kick 3-4 times with choke off
-turn ignition on and choke all the way up
-Should start with 3 good kicks
To start the bike: (hot)
Kicks over 1st kick every time with choke half ways up
Cool chopper history bike, been in various chopper shows and photo shoots. Currently trying to track down history of it from Outlaw Archives motorcycle historian. Has never been molested.
A 1957 Harley-Davidson FLH Panhead motorcycle has a 74 cubic inch (1208cc) Pinhead engine which is a two-cylinder, two-valve-per-cylinder, pushrod V-twin.
The 1957 FLH Panhead was the last year Harley-Davidson produced a motorcycle with a rigid frame and rocker covers resembling cooking pans, hence the "Panhead" nickname.
Produced in both 61 c.i. (EL) and 74 c.i. (FL, FLH) displacements. The "Panhead" engine replaced the "Knucklehead" engine in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965 when it was replaced by the "Shovelhead".
As Harley-Davidson engines evolved, the distinctive shape of the rocker covers led Harley enthusiasts to recognize an engine simply by identifying the head, with names such as "Flathead", "Knucklehead", "Panhead", and "Shovelhead".
In addition to factory models, "Panhead" engines became a popular choice for custom motorcycles during the rise of American chopper culture in the 1960s and 1970s, valued for their distinctive appearance and ease of modification.
The Peter Fonda "Captain America" chopper in the movie "Easy Rider" had a "Panhead" engine, as did the "Billy Bike" ridden by Dennis Hoppers character in the film.
