Restored Panhead Clears the Road in Style

Pedestrian Slicer

When Harley-Davidson introduced the Panhead motor in 1948, more power was the key feature. Built on the Knucklehead bottom end, the new motor benefited from numerous improvements, largely due to the availability of aluminum. Putting those 74 cubic inches of nostalgia to good use is this restored 1950 FL, with its ominously dubbed, 'pedestrian slicer' fender accessories.

Photos courtesy of Bonhams.

Automotive Asset

Once part of the Lonati Collection, this road-clearing FL has a European pedigree. Issued in 1994, it holds a German 'Old Timer' registration document. Along with a few perks, like reduced road tax, the registration distinction means that the bike is considered valuable from a cultural perspective, or as the German Transport Ministry put it, “an automotive cultural asset.”

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Certified Stock

The Panhead also retains a provenance title from the Automotoclub Storico Italiano. Otherwise known as the Italian Classic Car authority, the ASI certification confirms that a vehicle meets certain historical criteria, has been documented from the date of manufacture to present day, and perhaps most importantly, it is presented in stock condition.

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Touring Cabbage

A factory accessory, the 'Bumper King' is a chrome dress-up package sometimes called a 'cheese grater,' or 'cabbage cutter.' It earns the title of 'pedestrian slicer' in Europe, a term derived from the common use of upright front fender license plates. By 1957, Harley-Davidson offered the shiny bumper guards in a complete touring package, known as the 'King of the Highway' option.

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Industrial Success

The collector, Tiberio Lonati, who passed away in 2013, was considered a giant in the Italian textile industry. His many accomplishments included the development of the circular knitting machine, which led to the making of 'seamless' stockings. His willingness to embrace technology and new industrial methods was key to his success and propelled his interest in machinery.

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Finest Museum

An avid car collector, Lonati was introduced to Harley-Davidsons through his son, Francesco. Their collection began with a 1942 WLA and grew to sixty American-made machines over time—including multiple Harley-Davidson models, along with examples from Indian, Pierce, and Excelsior. Considered one of the finest in the world, the Lonati Motorcycle Collection is housed in a private museum at the Santoni factory in Brescia, Italy.

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Cooling Alloy

The development of the Panhead motor was itself an advancement of technology. Prior to its introduction, wartime demands had restricted the availability of aluminum. With an end to conflict, surplus combat aircraft engines provide the raw material to fashion high-strength alloys. The switch to an aluminum topend gave the Panhead better cooling ability, something that directly translates to increased power.

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Clear Designation

The 1950 FL is a bit of a crossover year. The Panhead motor was first introduced on the FL chassis with a Springer frontend. In 1949, it received the telescopic Hydra-Glide frontend. Initially only referring to the suspension unit, 'Hydra-Glide' became a model name in 1951. Whatever the designation, there is no doubt that this 'old timer' and its 'Bumper King' package, can fittingly clear the road in style.

>>Join the conversation on this cleaned-up Panhead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

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