I have come across a 48 frame at a good deal . I am thinking about buying a motor with cases made for a modern alternator . I know S&S makes a shovelheadthat I think will fit this frame. Do you know of anybody making a panhead like that ?
Would also like to put a new model starter on it ( knees gettin old). Anybody upgraded like this? Will it fit?? I know I will probably have to change the oil tank.
How about disc brakes on the back, Is gettin a caliper on it a big deal?
Could I get a 180-200 tire on the back???
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you can't put much of a big tire on that frame
And if you change the motor to S&S or STD which both make Panhead repro's. You loose your case numbers
Your title is to the motor, once you change that you shouldn't use the bike without a new title.
If it is a good deal buy it and save it. You can install new front end with disc brakes to stop better and save the old set up. You can also upgrade to 12v charging system.
Take it slow and enjoy the ride.
Backwoods, In my opinion I would look for a differnt frame to accomadate your desires. first I would hate to see a 1 year only frame cut up depending of course it is not already. second the time and effort to redo the frame to specs would not be as cost efficientas probably buying one that would fit your needs already made. Consider also that 48 frames have no VIN # neither do S&S motors. in 48 VIN came on original engine cases. Check your local DMV for possible title/registation issues. Also I do believe S&S does make an alternator pan motor. Check out there website. Good luck and have fun
" I am thinking about buying a motor with cases made for a modern alternator . I know S&S makes a shovelheadthat I think will fit this frame. Do you know of anybody making a panhead like that"
Yes STD makes a good one, only problem is You can't and don't have room for an electric starter and the cast aluminium primary you need and a later style 4-speed gearbox that bolts to the inner primary, also the different style oil tank-battery box setup which would all be pointing to a 1965 is what you want if you need electric start, otherwise fitting all this stuff on a 48 frame would require cutting and welding of a one year only frame (how cruel) and it would be a nightmare! The alternator idea is out, that would require you to upgrade it to a 70 or newer running gear, also butchering the frame, too much workand once again de-values the bike. Sell the 48 frame and buy a65.
"Would also like to put a new model starter on it ( knees gettin old). Anybody upgraded like this? Will it fit?? <NO>I know I will probably have to change the oil tank. " <Yes, and the frame to fit the oil tank too>
Once again forget that, buy a 65
"How about disc brakes on the back, Is gettin a caliper on it a big deal?" There is a kit for this believe it or not, but you still have to weld a tab on the frame in the back for a caliper stay
Could I get a 180-200 tire on the back???
No, there is no room for anything but a stock 5.00X16 tire back there, Period! But Avon makes a nice one and it's speed rated for 115mph, if you really want to go that fast, there's two of those on my bike.
I had a 48 I restored and just sold, I'll try to upload a pic and you can look at the tranny area and you will see, there no room for any of that back there. http://www.hydra-glide.com/coppermin...e.php?pos=-905
Pantony, Nice job on the 48 resto. Who did your seat and saddlebags? I just ordered the same seat and the 48-49 bags from Michael Paquette for my 49 springer resto (pic in the post before yours). I hope they look as nice as yours.
longpig; Mike did my bags and seat and he knows me very well. I took him on a nice little "tour" when he was here in Milwaukee, he can tell you about it. And he knows my bike very well. When he was here it was in the later stages of the restoration. Tell him Tony said hi
Pantony, Nice job on the 48 resto. Who did your seat and saddlebags? I just ordered the same seat and the 48-49 bags from Michael Paquette for my 49 springer resto (pic in the post before yours). I hope they look as nice as yours.
I thought 48 was the last year for the pan springer
bgismo...In theory, sort of "yes". For 1949 spring forks were available by special order for sidecar-equipped motorcycles (although some 49 springer pans were also ordered as solo models). And to my knowledge I do not believe there is an actaul definitive account on the total number of springer equipped models for 49. (yes, there are numbers, but no true evidence backing them).
48 pan upgrades, charging, brakes, starter
