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Easy
Rider
Poster
34
x 24 in.
$6.99
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| Easyrider's
Account Of The History Of The Panhead Page 1 |
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| The
Overhead Valve (OHV) Panhead model was produced from 1948 to 1965.
It's development and refinement set standards in design that are
still influencing motorcycle styles today. The new OHV, introduced
in 1948 was borne of the economic boom following WWII. It's predecessor,
the OHV Knucklehead was Harley-Davidson's first production OHV twin
engine model. Immediately popular with riders, it pioneered new
ground with it's introduction in 1938. It suffered continual teething
problems with oil leaks, soiling both engine and rider.The industries
of World War II reversed the Depression and reinvigorated the economic
landscape in this country. Women went to work while their men were
away fighting on foreign battlefields. Harley's war model WLA did
much to introduce and popularize a whole new generation to the fun
and excitement of motorcycling. Faced with surging demnad for motorcycles
after the war, Harley-Davidson was challenged to develop better
products and keep up with the demand. Raw materail shortages made
matters worse for manufacturing firms trying to supply post war
demands for goods and services. Today's demand outstripping the
supply of new Harley Big Twins is deja vu to Milwaukee. Advertising
literature apologized profusely into the 1950s and explained they
were doing everything possible to meet demand and maintain high
standards. |
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YEAR AFTER YEAR THE LEGEND GREW
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1948-LAST
YEAR FOR SPRINGER FORKS AND FIRST YEAR FOR THE PANHEAD ENGINE
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| 1948
was a milestone year for the Motor Company. The new OHV Panhead
engine's design change would alter the machine's persona for decades.
Material used for the head was changed from cast iron to aluminum.
Overhead valve design required a continuous oil supply to lubricate
it. The OHV Knucklehead had ongoing problems with oil leaks from
it's heads. A complex assembly of tin cover4s and aluminum rocker
boxes that vibration and improper assembly could loosen would allow
oil to leak onto the exhaust pipes and down the cylinders. A simple
but effective cover was devised to seal the entire top of the 1948's
new head. |
| The
cover looked like an inverted cooking pan, thus the term was born:
Panhead. A thin steel reinforcing ring set was introduced later
in the year to strngthen the surface contact area of the pan covers
to the heads. New 14mm spark plugs replaced the old 18mm ones. Historically
painted black since the 1920s, the top end now had silver-coated
cylinders and aluminum heads topped with brightly chrome-plated
rocker covers. While the new engine stood out, the rest of the Panhead's
basic design was relatively unchanged from the 1947 model. The OHV
engine was offered in 61in and 74in displacements. An entirely new
face design graced the edge lighted speedometer with an easy to
see red speed indicator needle. The UL 74in side valve (FLathead)
model was discontinued at the end of the year. |
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| 1949-FIRST
YEAR FOR THE HYDRA-GLIDE FRONT FORK |
| Accompanying
the new Panhead engine, new forks, frame, and fenders were of contemporary
design. This was the first year of the Hydra-Glide front fork assembly
on the OHV model. Hydraulic forks first tried on a short lived experimental
XA war model were reintroduced on the 49 Panhead. The timeless style,
utility, and popularity of the new fork was proven by it's continual
use on Big Twins for the next 48 years. |
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front brake assembly was totally redesigned and larger in diameter
than the springer brake. A new, larger sealed ray headlight was
offered on OHV models and two chromed parking lamps were attached
to the upper fork tube covers. The frame was modified with dog-legged
front down tubes instead of traditional straight legs used on the
Knucklehead. The frame redesign accommodated the slightly taller
Pan engine in it's cradle. The valanced springer rigid fenders used
since 1934 were abandoned in favor of a pair of smooth sided mudguards
with a rocketship look. New polished stainless steel covers were
used on the heads. A black painted horn was moved to the upper fork
downtubes under the steering head. An unusual stainless stell cover
shaped in the form of the fishtail muffler was attached over the
muffler in 1949 only. The five piece fork trim covers, primary chain
inspection cover, and clutch derby cover were all polished stainless
steel. Three new horizontal chevrons enhanced each side of the tombstone
taillamp. |
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| 1950-FIRST
YEAR OF THE "TRAIL-A-WAY" HYDRA-GLIDE ADJUSTABLE FORKS |
| "Smooth
as flying" is how the Hydra-Glide forks were described in period
sales literature. The fork lower legs were polished on the touring
Big Twins from this time forward. There was a 10% boost in horsepower
with a design change and an increase in size of the intake ports.
The carburator was updated with an improved Linkert M-74B. Gas lines
were rubbermounted. An adjustable trail feature was introduced on
the Hydra-Glide forks to improve handling on sidecar and package
truck applications. A handlebar riser link introduced in late '49
was first illustrated in advertising on the 1950 OHV model. |
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| 1951-ENGINE
CAM IMPROVED, EXHAUST PIPES CHROME-PLATED |
| A
new chrome-plated brass scrip gas tank name plate with underline
replaced the late 1940s fireball emblem. Chrome piston rings were
installed for a tighter compression seal
.....continued on page 2
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