Classic French Panhead is a Daily Rider

Commission Caveat

No translation is required. This 1952 Panhead is a stout and streamlined ride in any language. The build originated when a client in France contacted Walt Siegl in Harrisville, New Hampshire and requested that he “build a Harley.” With the caveat that it had to be a daily rider, but carte blanche on the creative end, Siegl agreed to the commission. 

Photos courtesy of Iron & Air.

Exotic Design

Siegl is an Austrian-born designer and fabricator, internationally recognized for his expert craftsmanship. Located in a converted textile mill, his workshop is mostly known for its exotic Italian builds, but Siegl has a fondness for vintage American bikes—especially Panheads. He elaborated in an Iron & Air feature, “There’s something about the small cylinder heads and castings. The design speaks to me.”

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Full Bore

Functionality was a priority request. True to the shop's reputation, Siegl wanted full confidence in the Panhead as a daily rider before its voyage across the Atlantic. He sent the engine to Andrew Rosa of Rosa Cycles in Long Island, New York for an 80 cubic-inch bore and full rebuild. With the motor in good hands, Siegl turned his attention to the frame.

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Modern Work

Siegl's design goal was to build a lightly customized Panhead, using stock parts. He decided on a reproduction wishbone frame that was true to the original—replete with the factory markings on the castings. He also added an electric starter and as he explained, “It wasn’t easy. It took a lot of massaging of stock components to make them work with the modern systems.”

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Applied Thinking

The Panhead's cut-down rear fender had been in Siegl's collection for decades just waiting for the right application. He stated, “It had the visual attributes I was looking for.” The fender flows well with a narrowed Fat Bob tank, capped with a vintage-looking, but modern, Motogadget speedometer. The same thinking was applied to the neatly tucked-in exhaust and Knucklehead-style muffler.

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Stitched Specifications

In keeping with the 'new old stock' approach, the leather-wrapped seat started off with an old Bates pan. In a compromise between comfort and looks, Siegl carved the foam to his exact specifications, while keeping in mind that the Panhead was going to be ridden every day. He then sent it to Spofford Upholstery in Spofford, New Hampshire to get it stitched up.

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Trim Stance

The front end is an original Harley-Davidson factory Springer. With rideability in mind, Siegl replaced the drum brake with a more contemporary hydraulic disc brake setup. The handlebar controls were updated with a set from Kustom Tech in Italy. With a built-for-speed look, 19'' front and 18'' rear wheels were selected. Wrapped in narrow rubber, the Panhead has a trim and business-like stance.

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Passion Attention

The overall build, from commission to delivery, took just under three years to complete. Siegl reflected that while vintage Harley-Davidsons is not the main focus of his business, it was a “very enjoyable build. He added, “But then, of course, I just love building bikes.” That passion and attention to detail are more than evident in this decades-old, but revitalized, (now French) Panhead.

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