The For Sale Feature: 1950 Harley-Davidson Panhead

Started with a stock Harley wishbone frame. Somebody else, not us, cut off all the mounting tabs to make a “home made “chopper. Basically ruining the frame for any kind of authentic, antique restoration. The bike was also missing its original sheet metal, tins, and handlebars. We knew going in that this bike was going to become a custom chopper. We do not take original Harley parts and ruin them. Enough with the disclaimer.


The wishbone frame was sandblasted, raked and molded. The frame was then “cherried.” A cherried frame has all its seems, joints, bits, and divots filled with weld and then ground down, primed and painted to achieve a perfectly smooth finish. We used House of Kolor cobalt candy blue. We also cut sections of the frame open to install hidden brake lines and wiring. The oil tank was removed and a custom-built rear fender with a hidden oil tank inside of it was fabricated. Complete with internal lines and vent. With the removal of the stock oil tank, we raised up the transmission to line up to align all sprockets. Got this idea from my drag racing days, also needed to fill the gap where the oil tank was. A straight edge was placed on the engine sprocket and the rear wheel sprocket. The Trans mounting plate was relocated so the clutch basket center line matched up with the straight edge centerline.

Engine was rebuilt, with high performance in mind. All new bearings and bushings, rebuilt rods and flywheels. New crank pins (3) case races replaced. Flywheel assembly was balanced. degreed, and a performance cam shaft installed with a tricked-out breathing system. S&S “drilled” oil pump, and re-jetted S&S super E carburetor, Rowe, Black Melonite, valves, and new performance valve springs were added. Venolia forged pistons, fly cut for valve relief. Valve covers also had to be reshaped at the top for high-lift valve clearance.

All brake and oil lines are stainless steel braided, must have $300.00 just in lines and fittings, all custom made in our shop, to fit. Transmission was rebuilt and a 3-inch belt drive with a custom made stainless guard installed.

The frame seat post is your brake fluid reservoir. A fill plug is located under the seat. Dot 5. Three master cylinders are hidden under the transmission. Two operate at the same time through a adjustable balance bar that is attached to the foot brake pedal. You can adjust the pressure at each cylinder to your preference, 60% front, 40% rear, are the current settings. Rear disc brake set-up is a neat combo sprocket/rotor, which also gives a clean look to the right side of the wheel.

The other master cylinder is for the hydraulic assisted suicide clutch. The kicker cover was modified to except a custom-made wheel cylinder, going from manual clutch, to hydraulic. Suicide meaning you must hold the foot lever down with your left foot to disengage the clutch; you cannot put your left foot on the ground to hold the bike up when it’s in gear. Very tricky my dear, said the wicked witch of the west.

Gears are shifted by your left hand, there is no gate that would create a positive stop, only a de-dent in the Trans shift fork. Hense the quest-o-matic name tag. But, once you get used to the shifting feel, you could shift with your eyes closed, but don’t. And don’t forget you must take you hand off of the handlebar to shift. Are you getting the hang of the Widow-Maker?

New Avon tires and rims, rims are laced with diamond cut spokes. Ape-hanger handlebars are custom made with internal controls, No brake levers, wires, or cables. And built in risers for that super clean look up top. New Springer front fork is 4 inches longer than stock.

There is no battery on this motorcycle. The ignition is controlled by a magneto, just like a lawn mower. Crank the motor with the kick-starter, ”no button pushers here.” The magnets in the magneto create a spark for the dual points and the bike starts, once running the alternator creates electricity to run the lights. There is no light switch.

Lights come on automatically. A regulator and capacitor that are hidden under the seat control the alternator. The capacitor acts like a super small battery, holding a small charge to run the lights. Roll control system, (brake line lock) for them steep hills, like a parking brake.

The paint is all house of Kolor candys. Original paint job was candy cobalt blue with lighter cobalt flames. I wanted to spice it up a bit. Repainted the sheet metal candy cobalt blue, and air brushed a two-tone layer of candy brandywine flames. Followed that up with another two-tone layer of candy tangerine flames. Hand painted pin stripe, Multiple layers of clear to top it all off.

This bike was originally built in 1992, and then completely rebuilt as you see it today in 1996, repainted in 2009. Do not want to sell this bike, but I clearly have too many toys, Knucklehead, Shovelhead, F head (JD twin), Indian chief, and Flathead, and I guess, eventually, one by one, they must all go. We are only short caretakers for our possessions. No key, no locks. If someone is trying to steal this wild-n-crazy ride, and can first get it started, and then somehow ride it away, they deserve to have it.

Over sixty pictures can be found on our web site: incaudos.com home page, or under motorcycles.

INCAUDOS ANTIQUE CYCLES 639 W COLFAX ST PALATINE,IL 60067 1-847-358-2886
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