Panhead Power: December 2009 IronWorks

The Panhead was arguably the most popular powerplant that Harley has produced in it’s long history. From 1948 until 1965 the 61 c.i. EL and 74 c.i. FL and FLHs left their mark both literally and figuratively on the motorcycling world. They started with a springer and ended with an electric starter and got rear shocks in between. The resulting look was so popular that the present Road King model tries to duplicate it.

To pay homage to these 2 wheeled icons of the highway the December issue of IronWorks has not 1, but 2 features about the history of the Panhead. First of all Matt Olsen gives us a rundown of the various forms that the Panhead “Dressers” took over the years. (That’s what we oldtimers used to call them before it morphed into “baggers” and chopper riders called them “garbage wagons.) Then Margie Siegal gives us a total overview of the Panhead in her Seasoned Citizen feature. The spotlight bike in that feature is Erik Dunk’s stock 1963 FLH. Both articles are good reading.

To get a copy of this months IronWorks magazine visit our online subscription form or call 800-669-5613. During the next couple of months, by purchasing a subscription to IronWorks magazine, you’ll automatically be entered into this years IronWorks / Brass Balls Bobbers Motorcycle Giveaway. To learn more about this giveaway visit the promotional page on IronWorks main site.