The panhead is an OHV Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so nicknamed because the rocker covers resembled cooking pans. The engine is a two-cylinder, two-valve-per-cylinder, pushrod V-twin, made in both 61 c.i. (EL) and 74 c.i. (FL, FLH) displacements. The Panhead engine replaced the Knucklehead engine in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965 when it was replaced by the Shovelhead.
As Harley-Davidson engines evolved, the distinctive shape of the rocker covers led Harley enthusiasts to recognize an engine simply by identifying the head, with names such as "Flathead", "Panhead", "Knucklehead" and "Shovelhead".
The "Captain America" chopper used by Peter Fonda in the movie Easy Rider (1969) had a panhead engine, as did the "Billy Bike" ridden by Dennis Hopper’s character.
Posted by bobchesarek on 2020-10-06 23:18:10
Tagged: , harley , Harley Davidson , 1950 harley panhead , motorcycle , car show , car cruise , car art
