1956 panhead

Lejusti · Jul 5th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Just picked up a panhead just curious what kind of plugs and oil do you guys use?

motor recently rebuilt just wonder what everyones running or what good

thx

Hobbit · Jul 5th, 2009, 03:12 PM

hve a look here
Oil Related Tips - Archive - Harley Davidson Community
and here
Oil - Harley Davidson Community

C. Dolan · Jul 7th, 2009, 01:29 AM

Have been using synthetic oil, mostly Castrol 10 - 50 wt ( I think ) especially on the older bikes.

My '48 Pan, '46 Knuckle, and various HD's from 1914 to 1931 seem to like it.

Have even noticed a couple of cases where the bike seemed to pick up a bit more power, the longer they were run.

Synthetic also burns cleaner, cutting down on plug fouling and smoke from the older bikes.

The most recent example was a 1929 Harley 350 cc single, ran yesterday.

It went from clouds of smoke to barely any smoke since draining the crankcase and putting a quart of synthetic in the oil tank, which was also drained.

Picture, below, of bike going up Palomar Mountain yesterday.

Lejusti · Jul 8th, 2009, 01:11 AM

That looks pretty cool, thanks for the info!

hey dolan - what kind of gas you run in those old things?

dhorne · Jan 5th, 2010, 10:23 AM

I use 50w in mine seems to like it , royal purple gear oil for the tranny seems to be the way to go , I also installed a check valve below the oil tank and there is no more big puddles underneath

~~Drumrguy~~ · Jan 5th, 2010, 05:32 PM

I would run a synthetic 50 wt. for oil.

Jul 5th, 2009, 02:29 PM	#1
Lejusti New Family Ride: 1956 FLH Panhead Join Date: Jul 4th, 2009 Posts: 7	1956 panhead Just picked up a panhead just curious what kind of plugs and oil do you guys use? motor recently rebuilt just wonder what everyones running or what good thx

Jul 5th, 2009, 03:12 PM	#2
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 09 CVO Ultra Classic Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 8,731 My Mood:	Re: 1956 panhead hve a look here Oil Related Tips - Archive - Harley Davidson Community and here Oil - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jul 7th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#3
C. Dolan Warming The Wheels Ride: 1931 Harley VL Join Date: Dec 19th, 2007 Posts: 61	1956 panhead Have been using synthetic oil, mostly Castrol 10 - 50 wt ( I think ) especially on the older bikes. My '48 Pan, '46 Knuckle, and various HD's from 1914 to 1931 seem to like it. Have even noticed a couple of cases where the bike seemed to pick up a bit more power, the longer they were run. Synthetic also burns cleaner, cutting down on plug fouling and smoke from the older bikes. The most recent example was a 1929 Harley 350 cc single, ran yesterday. It went from clouds of smoke to barely any smoke since draining the crankcase and putting a quart of synthetic in the oil tank, which was also drained. Picture, below, of bike going up Palomar Mountain yesterday. Last edited by glider; Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:13 AM. Reason: merged

Jul 8th, 2009, 01:11 AM	#4
Lejusti New Family Ride: 1956 FLH Panhead Join Date: Jul 4th, 2009 Posts: 7	1956 panhead That looks pretty cool, thanks for the info! hey dolan - what kind of gas you run in those old things? Last edited by glider; Jul 8th, 2009 at 06:19 AM. Reason: merged

Jan 5th, 2010, 10:23 AM	#5
dhorne Contributor$ Ride: 2001 ultra electra glide Join Date: Aug 14th, 2008 Location: Venezuela Posts: 205 My Mood:	Re: 1956 panhead I use 50w in mine seems to like it , royal purple gear oil for the tranny seems to be the way to go , I also installed a check valve below the oil tank and there is no more big puddles underneath

Jan 5th, 2010, 05:32 PM	#6
~~Drumrguy~~ Account Removed Ride: 2005 Ultra Classic Join Date: Oct 17th, 2009 Location: Oakdale, Pa. Posts: 592 My Mood:	Re: 1956 panhead I would run a synthetic 50 wt. for oil.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

1956 panhead

Classic Models