Inherited my brothers '53 Panhead

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 01:52:47 PM

I inherited my brother's 1953 Panhead. We rode together with our old bikes (I had a '47 Knuck) until he died in a motorcycle accident 22 years ago. I sold the Knuck, having lost interest in old bikes and never rode it. Well his wife died last Dec and his kids found the bike buried in the downstairs garage, under blankets and junk, where my brother had parked it 22 years ago. He was in the process of turning it into a '50 chopper.

Their kids called me and said that they didn't have any interest in it. So they called me and said I can come up and take it away along with all the parts to make it back to somewhat original. I picked it up last Sunday and will spend the next couple months getting it ready ride. Then spend next couple years, going to swap meets and finding contacts again to get the parts to make it original. Now that I am retired and can spend the time on it, between the bike trips I have planned on my current bikes. Going to be fun to work on it and remember all the good times my brother and I spent riding together.

I'd post a pic of it, but says file to big, can only post 350 kb. How do I get the pic so I can post it?

cbumdumb · March 15, 2018, 02:03:53 PM

Sounds like a plan.

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 02:24:31 PM

OK figured it out

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 02:33:30 PM

After sitting for 22 years, I inherited my brothers 1953 Panhead. He died 22 years ago and when his wife died, her kids didn't want it, so they said come get it. Lots of work to put it back to original...[attach=0]

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 02:34:22 PM

Ok, how do I get the pic the right direction?

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 02:35:18 PM

Other side

jayjaywideglide · March 15, 2018, 02:37:39 PM

Well, that didn't work either. I have a some of the original parts. He was in the process of turning it into a 50s chopper. Missing carb, couldn't find it.

kd · March 15, 2018, 03:00:25 PM

Very nice "find". So sorry to hear of the circumstances.

I'm sure your brother will be smiling down on you and very pleased with your decision to take the route you are taking.

It'll be a great way to honor him and keep his memory fresh.

preacher son · March 15, 2018, 03:08:16 PM

Nice bike

Deye76 · March 15, 2018, 03:12:49 PM

I think it's BA the way it sits, but it wouldn't take a lot to getting it back to stock. Thank goodness he didn't rake & stretch that cherry frame. I dig that seat.

PoorUB · March 15, 2018, 03:41:33 PM

Wow! Why don't I have any relatives that call me up with toys like that!

Nice bike, even better if you can get it back to original.

Die Hard · March 15, 2018, 03:42:00 PM

My first Harley was a 1953 Panhead. I cannot tell by the pictures but it should have the wishbone frame. That was a strong frame and heavy as lead.

hogpipes1 · March 15, 2018, 03:48:25 PM

No interest .Glad there is still some Harley blood left in your family. Keep the project alive on this site..

chopper · March 15, 2018, 03:50:14 PM

Fuggin BEAUTIFUL... even just as it is!

BJB · March 15, 2018, 04:07:59 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss.
That is one nice project you have there, & yes beautiful now but to bring it all the way back to original is quite an accomplishment.

koko3052 · March 15, 2018, 04:09:50 PM

That bike will have more "soul" to it than any parts can add.

preacher son · March 15, 2018, 04:51:33 PM

Quote from: PoorUB on March 15, 2018, 03:41:33 PM
Wow! Why don't I have any relatives that call me up with toys like that!

Nice bike, even better if you can get it back to original.

PoorUB i have your name in the will for my favorite used bedroom toy, dont want ya to fell left out

Preacher Son

tmwmoose · March 15, 2018, 05:26:11 PM

sweet! I like it as is but with a shorter handlebar

Ohio HD · March 15, 2018, 05:47:09 PM

Quote from: preacher son on March 15, 2018, 04:51:33 PM
Quote from: PoorUB on March 15, 2018, 03:41:33 PM
Wow! Why don't I have any relatives that call me up with toys like that!

Nice bike, even better if you can get it back to original.

PoorUB i have your name in the will for my favorite used bedroom toy, dont want ya to fell left out

Preacher Son

Ohio HD · March 15, 2018, 05:47:49 PM

Quote from: jayjaywideglide on March 15, 2018, 02:24:31 PM
OK figured it out

Very cool bike.

thumpr54 · March 15, 2018, 08:05:10 PM

way cool !

klammer76 · March 15, 2018, 08:52:35 PM

Good looking sled.

boooby1744 · March 15, 2018, 10:57:10 PM

Quote from: chopper on March 15, 2018, 03:50:14 PM
Fuggin BEAUTIFUL... even just as it is!

Yeah!

Trouble · March 16, 2018, 02:53:03 AM

Maybe it's because I'm watching The Blues Brothers on TV while reading this, but it appears you have the essence of your brother's soul in that bike as it sits.
Shame the kids don't have the connection or inclination to be part of that soul.

Tollbooth · March 16, 2018, 05:01:04 AM

Real nice toy. Sad way to get it. Sorry for the loss of your brother.

98roadking · March 16, 2018, 06:52:48 AM

Quote from: chopper on March 15, 2018, 03:50:14 PM
Fuggin BEAUTIFUL... even just as it is!

Well said!

Brrrap · March 16, 2018, 07:11:56 AM

Quote from: boooby1744 on March 15, 2018, 10:57:10 PM
Quote from: chopper on March 15, 2018, 03:50:14 PM
Fuggin BEAUTIFUL... even just as it is!
Yeah!

Damn that's nice!

Harpo · March 16, 2018, 10:11:46 AM

Frick'en awesome! Definitely try to keep the hand shifter - was kinda rare on a '53 (first year for foot shift).

DanThe Man · March 16, 2018, 10:28:48 AM

I saved pictures to my deck top and they were in the correct orientation. Second picture shows a wishbone frame if you magnify it. Nice!

rbabos · March 16, 2018, 10:46:18 AM

This looks better. Nice bike, by the way. Owned a 52 chopper back in the 70s.
Ron

Hossamania · March 16, 2018, 11:20:04 AM

That is a pretty sweet ride.
It might be fun just to get it running in that configuration, and then change it out once you gather all the parts to go back to stock.

twincamzz · March 16, 2018, 01:50:28 PM

Very nice ride indeed !!

borno · March 16, 2018, 02:06:44 PM

Nice bike! and nice of his kids to think of you.

Justpassingas · March 16, 2018, 03:08:43 PM

good to see its staying in family....that things like a time capsule from an era gone by....i'd get it running and wouldn't change thing....

FSG · March 16, 2018, 05:05:16 PM

my old Iron Head and 90 Evo are down south with brothers (I have 8

) in a few yrs my TC will be there as well

when I'm gone and up the chimney they'll sometimes remember me maybe

when they touch the bikes

jayjaywideglide · March 16, 2018, 05:54:21 PM

Yeah, planning on getting a carb, lower handlebars and ride it the way it is for a while after going over it and make sure things are safe. Then I'll start finding misc parts to get it back together more original. Will keep the current parts so I want, I can make it look like this again, it I so desire. But it will be nice to put the original seat back on with the springs so it won't kill my spine...

jayjaywideglide · March 16, 2018, 06:09:28 PM

Yeah, I'm curious what those pipes sound like. Got engine turned over after putting Marvel Mystery Oil in cylinders and letting it soak for a while. Got good compression, so hopeful I won't have to tear down the engine till I'm ready after finding more parts. Missing carb, but friend sending me a carb to try to get it running. I plan on keep the current parts wo I could go from this configuration to more original. I will want to put the spring seat back on for any longer trips. I've ridden hardtails without the spring seat

jayjaywideglide · March 16, 2018, 06:15:23 PM

I restored a '47 Knuck 30 years ago and it had a complete '49 glide front end. I took it off and stored it in my rafters when I put a springer on it. I can't imagine what that glide is worth now days...glad I decided to keep it and not sell it now! As much as I love the look of a springer, the glide will make it original.

sfmichael · March 16, 2018, 06:44:31 PM

love it

76shuvlinoff · March 16, 2018, 07:19:15 PM

Make it yours, whatever that is.

Moparnut72 · March 17, 2018, 10:31:08 AM

That's all I would do is different handle bars and seat. Otherwise I wouldn't touch a thing. Really nice bike, I'd love to have it parked in my garage.
kk

Phu Cat · March 17, 2018, 03:15:37 PM

Have fun with the new bike and my best to the smart nieces and nephews. Ya don't find kids like them any more!

PC

jayjaywideglide · March 18, 2018, 10:18:28 PM

Yeah, started to take things apart and check it over. Get a little emotional working on it knowing the last person to ride it was my brother. He's going to be riding with me when I finally get it running.

jayjaywideglide · March 18, 2018, 10:21:31 PM

Started to take things apart and checking it out. I'll ride it the way it is now on it's maiden ride and take my brother's memory with me. Then I'll stop and raise a glass to him...

jmorton10 · March 19, 2018, 03:25:56 AM

Nice!!

Change the seat & bars, add a frt fender & you have an awesome bike.

~John

tomcat64 · March 19, 2018, 06:22:19 AM

SAWEET!! if you are looking for any parts let me know, I might know of a guy that has a stash!!

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Inherited my brothers '53 Panhead