Panhead Virgin....!!!!

[che]

Just bought myself a beautiful 1960 Panhead barhopper/chop/bobber. Yes our illustrious webmaster parted with his pride and joy.

So i'm familiarising myself with this beast. needs a little TLC, but pretty much as i want it.

Couple of questions:

1.... It's been fitted with a (covered) belt primary, and running a dry clutch, so the oil doesn't circulate through the primary. It hasn't got an oil filter fitted, is this wise? I don't think so! So if a fit an external oil filter, anybody got an tips recomondations. I like the traditional early pan filter, but is this practical? I love the old school look, so don't want to spoil that look.

2... i would like to fit an internal throttle, any advice on make etc. It has fairly mild apehangers fitted, which i want to keep. I understant the theory of the internal throttle at the handlebar end but when the cable comes out of the bars (i assume between the risers) what happens there?

3. could somebody give me a brief run down (for idiots) on generator as opposed to alternator. I hate electrics, can never seems to get my head around them.

4... MOT, can i have a side mounted number plate, and get it through the MOT?

I'm sure these are just the start of many many inane questions to come, so i appologise in advance.

PS, are the early symptoms of birds-flu... a runny nose and an obsessive need to collect early harleys.... really fancy a 45 next.

[MacHarry]

Congratulations Kim

I hope that you get a 45 and come to the Centrum rally this year love ;)

Harry

[Kiwi]

for an external oil filter use a mkIII norton comando filter head, a 80-84 harley filter screws straight onto this

[che]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

for an external oil filter use a mkIII norton comando filter head, a 80-84 harley filter screws straight onto this

kiwi... where do i get this? is there website i can look at?

[kiwidave]

Jesus H Christ - I am in the ***WRONG *** media!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you need a key grip or a best boy, Kim?

The Panhead era oil filters were notoriously crap. You don't want to run an orginal style filter, which was like camel hair and only stopped rocks! But yes you do want *a* filter. I am pretty sure that superior late-style filters can now be found.

PM me your address - I am certain that in the garage I have a fantastic Donny Petersen Pan primer article in the filing cabinet.....I also have a replica H-D panhead owners' manual you can have if you need.


and go here: http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/Alte...atorTheory.htm

[chilly]

Kim

Into my area here with Nortons.

Try RGM -- 01946 841517

e-mail=info@rgmmotors.co.uk

Item No =315A Cartridge type filter kit complete=19.90 inc vat.

Filters from a Citreon 2cv will fit this.

Same as you with the leccy stuff tho.

chill

[Noddy]

Che.

If you have room behind the transmission plate at the rear of the gearbox, the late shovel/early Evo oil filter mount should do you. It fits on the rear 2 bolts of the transmission plate to the frame, in front of the rear wheel, it is well hidden out of the way, but easy to change the stock style short filter without dumping dirty oil on the rest of the bike. the H-D part number is 62538-82 Mounting Bracket. (spin on oil filter)
Hope this helps.

[kevscrivener]

I'll try to answer questions 2, 3 and 4.

Internal throttle cable; as originally fitted to old H-D's, these use a "piano" wire ie single strand as opposed to the braided type of inner. Downside to them is that tthe throttle does not have a spring return as you'll be used to, you have to twist it shut which can catch you out if you're not used to it. For this reason they were banned in about 1973 as a safety issue, although it is perfectly legal to retro-fit one to a machine of correct age; my Ironhead has one as standard.

There may well be modern kits on the market which get round this problem; however I'm happy with the set-up I've got, though it does induce wrist-ache in traffic; good thing about them is that you can leave the bike on a fast tickover when not fully warmed up, so as to avoid using too much choke. You can also use your right hand to wave at other bikers (or gesticulate at car drivers) which can cause confusion to the uninitiated!

If you use the "piano" wire, here's a tip; when you buy a new inner, it will be coiled up of course. Secure one end to a roof beam, hang a small weight on the other, and leave overnight. Makes the job of inserting the inner much easier.


Generator vs alternator; basically, generators produce direct current (DC), alternators, as the name implies, produce alternating current (AC). Hence alternators need a rectifier (to convert the current to DC) and generators don't. Both will need a voltage regulator, which stops the unit from overcharging the battery.

In simple terms, alternators produce more current per pound weight than generators do, and charge the battery more efficiently especially at low speeds. Once you get into the realms of electric starters, indicators etc you really need an alternator; as your bike stands, my guess is that you need not bother.

Side number plate; yes, but I'm sure that it must be on the off-side, and if the tail light is in the "normal" place, must have a seperate lamp to illuminate it.


Sod the 45; wanna buy a VL? ;)

[che]

Guys, again thanks for all the advice. I will look into the oil filter route. Kev thanks for that info about the generator, it solved a real question "why is there no rectifier?" now i know! Chilly, the norton route is cheap but not sure about size, eg where to fit it, no room behind tranny plate.

1... Whilst i'm on, could sombody advise me about batteries which are good ones? (for horseshoe oil tank) and low voltage regulator - are they nessessary? and how do i know if i have one?

2... Off-side, which side is that? I know this is a stupid question!!!!

3... I have a set of 40mm twin mikuni's with correct mounting hardware, can anybody point me in the right direction for some bell-mouths, do they call them velocity stacks now? I don't want to pay silly harley prices, they need to be short with 42mm fitting. PS, will these carbs be too much for a pretty standard motor? Not really after performance (though it would be nice) i like the aesthetic of no big air filter.

[logo]

[quote=che]
2... Off-side, which side is that? I know this is a stupid question!!!!

quote]
Taking the mick again Kim.
Thats the side you are in the car when you sit behind the steering wheel.

This purchase is going to make the office a bit full or does something
get relegated to a stable. When will we see you out on this or is it going
to Spain first.

pete