5 Cool Facts About the Harley-Davidson Panhead Engine
The Harley-Davidson Panhead engine played a major role in the company's success for nearly two decades.
Post War Gem
The Harley-Davidson Panhead is one of many engines developed and utilized by the iconic motorcycle maker over its century-plus in existence, and arguably, also one of the most critical to its long-term success. For nearly two decades - from 1948 through 1965 - the Panhead remained in production, and hasn't lost one bit of its popularity since then. However, when it originally launched, the Panhead was immediately embraced by soldiers returning from World War II, which is precisely where many of them rode Harleys in battle - making it extra appealing, coupled with the fact that most of those veterans were looking for something to ride and enjoy when they returned home.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
What's In a Name?
As is the case with a few H-D engines created over the years, the Panhead's name is derived from the unique shape of its valve covers. To many, they look like an upside-down skillet, which is precisely where the "pan" portion of the name comes from, and that moniker has managed to stick for decades to this point.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
Hand to Foot
Starting in 1952, the Panhead was offered with an unusual-for-the-time hand-clutch/foot-shift operation, which was quite strange for a motorcycle, as well as a big departure for those used to driving automobiles with manual transmissions. However, today, such a setup is the norm, even if it took many a while to get used to this significant change back in that era.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
Mileage Club
Back in 1951, Harley-Davidson launched its Mileage Club, which gave those who racked up 100,000 miles on their bikes a special pin for those efforts, though only 73 managed to complete that task in the club's first four years of existence. Regardless, many credit the Panhead with an increase in long-distance road trips, as its rear suspension design made that task far more comfortable than it was previously.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
Starting a Movement
Today, choppers are a classic piece of Harley history, soaring to fame in the 1960s and never looking back. However, many credit the Panhead with helping to fuel this trend, as it was among the more popular (and first) models to routinely receive the chopper treatment, a trend that remains popular to this day - even as the Panhead has become much more collectible and valuable.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
