Difference between revisions of "Panhead"
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The '''panhead''' was a [[Harley-Davidson]] [[motorcycle]] [[engine]], so nicknamed because of the distinct shape of the rocker covers. The engine is a two-cylinder, two-valve-per-cylinder, [[Pushrod engine|pushrod]] [[V-twin]]. The engine replaced the [[Knucklehead]] engine in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965 when it was replaced by the [[Shovelhead engine|shovelhead]]. | |||
As the design of Harley-Davidson engines has evolved through the years, the distinctive shape of the valve covers has allowed Harley enthusiasts to classify an engine simply by looking at the shape of the covers, and the panhead has covers resembling an upside-down pan. | |||
The "Captain America" [[chopper (motorcycle)|chopper]] used by [[Peter Fonda]] in the movie ''[[Easy Rider]]'' ([[1969 in film|1969]]) had a panhead engine, as did the bike ridden by [[Dennis Hopper]]'s character. | |||
Currently, a number of third-party engine manufacturers produce custom panhead-style engines in a variety of bores, many much larger than the original-design displacements. Each manufacturer includes significant subtle upgrades to the original design to drastically improve the performance and reliability while still providing the original styling and overall engine structure. | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[Harley-Davidson engine timeline]] | |||
*[[Shovelhead]] | |||
==External links== | |||
* [http://www.factoryfat.com/hdmotorhistory.html Images of each style of Harley-Davidson engine] | |||
* [http://www.hydra-glide.com/ Panhead site: Dedicated to the Harley-Davidson Panhead] | |||
[[Category:Harley-Davidson engines|Panhead]] | |||
[[Category:Motorcycle engines]] | [[Category:Motorcycle engines]] | ||
Revision as of 14:15, 9 August 2010
The panhead was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so nicknamed because of the distinct shape of the rocker covers. The engine is a two-cylinder, two-valve-per-cylinder, pushrod V-twin. The engine replaced the Knucklehead engine in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965 when it was replaced by the shovelhead.
As the design of Harley-Davidson engines has evolved through the years, the distinctive shape of the valve covers has allowed Harley enthusiasts to classify an engine simply by looking at the shape of the covers, and the panhead has covers resembling an upside-down pan.
The "Captain America" chopper used by Peter Fonda in the movie Easy Rider (1969) had a panhead engine, as did the bike ridden by Dennis Hopper's character.
Currently, a number of third-party engine manufacturers produce custom panhead-style engines in a variety of bores, many much larger than the original-design displacements. Each manufacturer includes significant subtle upgrades to the original design to drastically improve the performance and reliability while still providing the original styling and overall engine structure.