Making a '49 Panhead Shine Again

Editor’s note: Kevin is a special individual with a PhD in metallurgy. Here’s a teaser tech from his recent project.--Bandit

This is Kevin Moore, the guy you met at Saloon 10 during a party. My wife is Lori Keehn. I had mentioned I’m building a 1953 Panhead.

10 years ago, my ex sold my 1946 Knucklehead to someone in Japan. Since then, I lost my love for old bikes and, frankly, I can’t afford much of it.

My friends who ride from LA started bringing me parts each year. My passion returned and I'm now putting a bike together. Every part needs to be fixed: cracked transmission case, engine case held cracks covered with bondo on the inside and plates welded on the outside, a 31-32 VL springer with random parts. A labor of love.

Anyway, here’s my progress. Because I’m 6’2” a stock Pan is small, so I stretched the frame 1.5 inches in the back and 1.5 inches in the down tubes (it was a chopped ‘49 frame, so I don’t feel bad). The tires are 140/80-19 front and rear and so are 2.5-inch taller than an MT90 but have a similar stance.

Gas tanks stay as is. Springer is painted flat black and parkerized (my wife lets me do it on the stove).

After weld repair, I replaced the sand cast look on the case and the repair is invisible. The last three images are of a transmission case I did during Sturgis three years ago when my friend had his chain pop, pile up and break the case.

Maybe I’ll have it done by next Sturgis.

Either is fine by me. I just want to keep the old bikes alive. I love bringing parts that appear worthless back to life. As an example, see the VL headlight mount below that’s going on my 1931 springer. Look close - there’s nut welded into that thing!

When I fix cases, I shape the part and then replace the sand cast texture, so the repair is invisible. An example of a transmission case is below.

As I fix parts, I’ll send you pictures to use as you want.

Let’s keep these treasures alive!

--Kev