Custom Panhead Giveway!
1. Here she is fully dressed to the nines. Isn’t she a beauty? This ’55 replica Panhead could be yours for as little as a $5 donation to the National Motorcycle Museum. Log on to www.nationalmcmuseum.org for more information.
2. The Tedd’s V-Twin ’55 replica frame was powdercoated black and as it sat on the lift it eagerly awaited to be reunited with its components.
3. Kody wheeled the Biker’s Choice frontend, complete with Ride Wright spoke wheel and Coker tire, toward the frame.
4. So not to scratch the frame, Kody wrapped part of the frame’s tubes with some masking tape.
5. Kody needed some help installing the S&S; P-Series 93-inch engine into place. But once it was in the frame, it fit like a glove. The S&S; P-Series is a Panhead style engine that looks just like a Pan from the past, but with the ingenuity of today’s technology. And its 93ci displacement gives it plenty more getup and go as opposed to the stock 74 ci Pans from the past.
6. Once the engine was bolted to the mounts, the RevTech four-speed trans with kicker pedal assembly from Custom Chrome was bolted to both the S&S; engine and the replica Pan frame.
7. Then the Jammer primary components from Custom Chrome were bolted to the motor, but the outer primary cover didn’t go on until the Primo belt drive system was installed
8. …and the Rivera Pro Clutch. Once the belt drive components were in place and snugged up, the primary drive was completed and the project was coming along nicely.
9. Back up top, the proper amount of fork oil was poured into the tubes and Kody and Tony installed the handlebar assembly with the Performance Machine controls and Avon rubber grips already installed. The bar was wired and the cables for the clutch, throttle, and brake had already been attached to the bar and just needed to be mated with their corresponding parts.
10. Then the nacelle and headlight were wired up and bolted onto the frontend…then it was on to the seat.
11. Kody greased up the seat tube of the frame and installed the seat post for the pogo seat. Then he mounted the seat bracket to the backbone, and to ensure the lucky winner wouldn’t fly out of his or her seat, he used plenty of threadlocker.
12. Next, Kody wanted to hook up the Auto Gem Baby Bullets to the seat bracket so that they were out of the way and not cluttering up the fender or struts, but still bright enough to illuminate the night.
13. Once the Baby Bullets were in place, it was time to mount the old-school pogo seat into the seat post and mounting bracket.
14. For the frontend, Tony mounted the driving lights and wired the electrical components.
15. J&P; Cycles decided on the crew at Underground Art Studios in Iowa to paint all of the tins. J&P; has used these gents in the past with great results. The front fender bumper was mounted to the painted front fender from Biker’s Choice. Then Kody bolted it to the fork legs.
16. To commemorate its 30 years in the business, the crew from Underground Art Studios painted “Since 1979” onto the oil bag.
17. Then the painted rear fender was reinstalled along with the rear Ride Wright wheel and Coker whitewall tire.
18. Once the axle was slid through the rear tire/wheel combo, the Performance Machine brake caliper was installed with a rear mounting bracket and snugged up.
19. Here, Kody is getting ready to install one of the Auto Gems onto one of the Pac-Kit saddlebags. The Gems are used as somewhat running lights when the bike is on, but they really make the bags, and entire look of the bike stand out. Once the Gems were all in place, the bags were mounted with a saddlebag bolt kit from J&P; Cycles.
20. A toolbox/pouch should be on every bike because it’s not a matter of if you break down on the side of the road, but when. And you don’t want to be without your basic set of tools. Kody installed the teardrop style tool box on the bike.
21. After buttoning up the toolbox, just under the oil bag, the Paughco exhaust was installed next.
22. Then the bike was nearing completion and after Kody mounted the split tanks from Biker’s Choice, the instrument panel was mounted and wired, followed by the installation of the dash. After the dash went in place, Kody checked his work thoroughly to make sure no stone went unturned. After everything checked out, the bike was done!
23. And here is the finished product. She’s nice to look at, especially when she dresses up so fancy. And this little baby could be yours for a measly five smackeroos! Now is the time to make your donations so log on to the J&P; Cycles and National Motorcycle Museum websites to make your contribution. Who knows, you could be riding into the New Year on a brand new custom Panhead. How’s that for bringing in the spirit of change? Check back next issue to see the finished Panhead out on the road!
The J&P; Cycles/National Motorcycle Museum custom Panhead is now finished and it could belong to any one of you fine folks out there in V-Twin land. Hell, you don’t even have to be in V-Twin land, but you might not hear about it unless you know someone who lives within its realm. The only thing is that this 1955 replica Pan will have to patiently wait until New Year’s Eve 2009 to be united with its rightful owner. In order to take this baby home, all you have to do is make a donation to the National Motorcycle Museum for $5 to get one entry for the bike, or make a $25 donation to get six entries for the bike, and you don’t have to be present to win.
The National Motorcycle Museum bike was built by J&P; Cycles, but the mega parts retailer from Anamosa, Iowa had a lot of help from S&S; Cycle’s P-Series 93ci engine, a Panhead replica frame from Ted’s V-Twin, a Rev-Tech four-speed transmission, a starter and alternator from Custom Chrome, a Primo belt drive and Rivera Pro Clutch, a set of Paughco exhaust pipes, Jammer primary parts, Performance Machine hand controls and brakes, Pac-Kit replica Panhead leather saddlebags, Wire Plus wiring components, Auto Gem lights and baby bullets, Coker tires, and Biker’s Choice frontend and sheetmetal, which are available through the J&P; parts catalogs.
In last month’s article, we took you through mock-up stages of this ’55 replica bike and now, with a powdercoated frame and freshly painted tins by Iowa-based Underground Art Studios, J&P; Cycles bike builder Kody Wisner, and his right-hand-man, Tony Lueck have completed the build at the J&P; Cycles facilities. The bike was ready to be reassembled, filled with fluids, and taken for a ride.
Also, to celebrate its being in business for 30 years, J&P; Cycles is throwing its annual Open House for not just one, but two days this year, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever! Check it out June 27-28 2009 for a two-day Iowan experience you’ll never forget!
