Axiom Cycles sells Harley Davidson & Custom Motorcycles parts and accessories at competitive prices.

HARLEY DAVIDSON PANHEAD ENGINE

Harley Davidson manufactured the PANHEAD engine between 1948 and 1965.   The harley PANHEAD also came in 60 cubic inch (990 cc) and 74 cubic inch (1,200 cc) variations and produced 50 and 55 horsepower respectively.   Big differences between the knucklehead and the PANHEAD included aluminum heads on the PANHEAD and internal oil lines, as opposed to external lines on the knucklehead.

The pan-head engine is Harley-Davidson's second overhead-valve engine.   The PANHEAD got its name from the large flat covers at the top of the cylinder heads.   It had a better cooling system than the Knucklehead, as well as other harley modifications that reduced wear.   This made it easier to maintain.   It was quieter and cleaner than the Knucklehead which had been used since 1936.

The Harley Davidson PANHEAD didn't change much from the knuckle.   But it came equipped with aluminum heads for more power because the bikes were getting heavier.   Also, the heat beater was depressed.   In 1955 Harley modified the pan head engine by installing a more efficient lower end (this is why the PANHEAD is quieter than the knucklehead.   Pan head engines were also the first v-twin to come with an electric starting system in 1965.

There are several differences between the pan and knucklehead frames, but most of them are pretty hard to spot.   Some differences are infrequent, like the straight front down-tubes.   The knucklehead frames have straight tubes while most of the rigid pan head frames have "bowleg" tubes.

However, the early 1948, late 56, and 57 PANHEAD frames were also straight bars.   The one sure way to tell the difference is the top motor mount.   The top motor mount on a knucklehead frame is a straight-sided rectangle tab, but the top mount on a PANHEAD is a triangular sort of shape.   It's possible to fit a PANHEAD engine into a knucklehead frame, but it takes some serious grinding and welding, and some hammering.

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VTWIN ENGINES

Axiom Cycles carries a full line of Knucklehead, Shovelhead, PANHEAD, Evolution, and Twin Cam engines from Accurate Engineering, S&S, TP Engineering, and ULTIMA

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Look no further for your Harley Davidson Parts and Accessories.

We can supply you with the parts and services to ensure your project is a success.

PERFORMANCE TUNNING

Axiom Cycles has been hard at work tuning & enhancing the performance of Harley Davidson motorcycles the last 12 months.

Using products from Daytona Twin Tec and Speed's Performance Plus  as well as others we have been able to produce up to an additional 18 horsepower!

See our Fuel & Intake section for products.