1956 fl : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

wibiker · 01-25-2007, 03:02 PM

i am thinking about buying a 1956 harley. originally i was interested because i thought it was pretty stock but after i saw it is far from stock, with 69 shovel cylinders on the pan crancase, nice paint and bags,but original buddy seat with grab rail. looks like 13-14" apes, with a 3 speed trans and reverse, and sidecar mounts. anyway, looks in good shape for that. looks like a runner for sure. so help. what do you think its worth?

route66paul · 01-25-2007, 03:08 PM

Picture is needed as well as a compression check and a good once over by a old time Harley mech. There are a lot of POS out there, stock or not, there could be many problems.

wibiker · 01-25-2007, 03:14 PM

rt66 I am not sure how to get picture in a reply.

wibiker · 01-25-2007, 03:29 PM

rt 66 i think this is it...im slow

pittguy · 01-25-2007, 05:29 PM

That bike is far from stock.If stock is what youre after-keep looking,pay the price for one that is correct.

Ultra89Rider · 01-26-2007, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wibiker

i am thinking about buying a 1956 harley. originally i was interested because i thought it was pretty stock but after i saw it is far from stock?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittguy

That bike is far from stock.If stock is what youre after-keep looking,pay the price for one that is correct.

Unless you're are very good on the old Harley Pan and Shovels, don't even think about it. If you have not worked on them, are ready to spend a lot of time and money, or are not ready to learn from an Ol' School rider, don't do it. I have been riding Harley for over 35 years. I have worked on Flat heads, Shovels and EVOs. I haven't worked on Pans and would not want to get one without getting advice from a Pan rider. They all have their own particular problems and ways to work on them. And you will work on them. They are not like the current Harley. They will require regular maintenance. They will need lots of Lock Tite. If you are just looking for a cool Ol' School look without the required Daily maintenance, get a late model motor that is made to look old but has all of the current tight specifications. The older Harley will require a lot of maintenance. When they are right, they sound and ride great.

Good luck with what you do.

claydbal · 01-26-2007, 05:25 AM

if yo can get it for what it is worth, it would make a cheap restoration project.

the end result wouldnt be cheap, just the beginning. its a shame someone mangled the bike like that.

wibiker · 01-26-2007, 09:40 AM

ultra 89, yep i know what you mean. i keep and old iron head xlh, and a shovel flh up and operating. the like to be touched every now and then, and sometimes alot more than that. i dont know pans either. if i commit to this i belive i would probably not go the route of a restore to stock. my friend knew what i was looking for when he told me about this one. He didnt know what it was like. could be i will hold out too. I need something to do in the shop this time of year, but dont need another money pit, already have enough of them.

newultraclassic · 01-26-2007, 11:07 AM

Yeah, what everybody else has said sums it up. These older bikes are nice to look at but they are basically for mechanics only. Also, all of the parts on them are obsolete and can only be obtained used at swap meets or the aftermarket.

Beyond that, you will certainly not have a "daily driver" type of motorcycle. They require constant attention. Most of the people who own them have them set up for trailering to shows and expositions.

Lastly, I myself would certainly like to own one in mint, original condition. However, the one you described is what they call a "Pan Shovel". Many people did this beginning in 1966 when the Shovels came on the market because it was felt that the Shovels had better power characteristics.

That would spoil the bike for me. If it's not completely original, I wouldn't want to own it. There's simply too much grief and too much money involved to put it right and you will never see that money again because if you sell a restored bike, you are competing with new ones at the same price with a limited group of buyers who are extremely knowledgable.

As to value, if it were complete, original and unrestored, it could go for as much as $10,000. Anything less and it would be about half of that maximum, IMHO.

My 2 cents.

route66paul · 01-26-2007, 11:52 AM

Many people did this here in the southwest because panheads can't handle high heat. The heads aren't any good, they get cracked. 30 years ago, you couldn't weld them up properly, the material they are made from is not as good as what is used now. There are also reproduction heads today, that weren't available in the 70s.

74 shovel · 01-26-2007, 05:40 PM

RE: “Yeah, what everybody else has said sums it up. These older bikes are nice to look at but they are basically for mechanics only. Also, all of the parts on them are obsolete and can only be obtained used at swap meets or the aftermarket.
Beyond that, you will certainly not have a "daily driver" type of motorcycle. They require constant attention. Most of the people who own them have them set up for trailering to shows and expositions. “

I just don’t agree with all these comments about the older bikes. What it really comes down to is what you want to do and what someone else thinks doesn’t mater.
My main rider is a 1974 FLH shovelhead. I also have a 03 Fatboy Twinkie. I prefer the Shovel he’s got character and attitude. He has never been trailered or left me stranded. The only time I ride the twinkie is when my OL wants to go since my shovel is a 1 up ride.

newultraclassic · 01-26-2007, 05:50 PM

[quote=74 shovel]RE: “Yeah, what everybody else has said sums it up. These older bikes are nice to look at but they are basically for mechanics only. Also, all of the parts on them are obsolete and can only be obtained used at swap meets or the aftermarket.
Beyond that, you will certainly not have a "daily driver" type of motorcycle. They require constant attention. Most of the people who own them have them set up for trailering to shows and expositions. “

I just don’t agree with all these comments about the older bikes. What it really comes down to is what you want to do and what someone else thinks doesn’t mater.
My main rider is a 1974 FLH shovelhead. I also have a 03 Fatboy Twinkie. I prefer the Shovel he’s got character and attitude. He has never been trailered or left me stranded. The only time I ride the twinkie is when my OL wants to go since my shovel is a 1 up ride.

==========================================

Well, lots of other people, myself included, have been stranded on the older bikes. Your experience is relatively unique.

My comments were mainly directed to the issue of Panheads and earlier in any case.

Almost There · 01-26-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74 shovel

My main rider is a 1974 FLH shovelhead. ]

Very nice shovelhead Dennis.

I was thinking of looking at a 76 FLH around here and I was just wondering what the price would be for something like yours.

74 shovel · 01-27-2007, 08:34 AM

Meant no offense.
I have had a Pan, 45 Flathead, and Shovels. I have been broke down on the side of the road before but always been able to fix it I think this is one of the big pluses for the older bikes the average guy can work on any part of them. But I keep my scoot in top notch mechanical condition with the best parts available and it’s not stock.

There is just something about an older bike probably takes me back to my youth. LOL But I enjoy working on Him I find it to be very relaxing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almost There

Very nice shovelhead Dennis.

I was thinking of looking at a 76 FLH around here and I was just wondering what the price would be for something like yours.

I got around 14 K in this one. And I know the guy I bought it from had a lot more in it than I gave him. They are a money pit but heck ya can’t take it with ya so why not.