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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on May 25, 2019, 08:30:11 AM

Title: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Dave Swanson on May 25, 2019, 08:30:11 AM
I had the 56 FLH out.  This is a 13,000 original miles, true survivor.  It was owned by a farmer about 75 miles south of me since new.  I bought it about 7 years ago. 

I went through the bike from top to bottom.  Runs like a top!  Well... it runs like an old Panhead should!   :)    Not many pans out that night.   :azn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYZE0wkaG-k&t=17s

(https://i.postimg.cc/XYC4QLJx/IMG-4507.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4YsD3zph)
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Adk.IBO on May 25, 2019, 08:38:10 AM
Nice! :thumb:
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: lorazepam on May 25, 2019, 08:47:57 AM
Very nice! It is amazing to me the places folks rode those old bikes. Adventure riders have nothing on those guys.  :bike-037:
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on May 25, 2019, 08:49:14 AM
 Mine was a 59 panhead.  Best Harly I ever owned out of 6 big twins. Bought it in 65 of 650 dollars.  That was about the going rate back then for a six year old pan.  A few years later I bought a 49 W model for 250 dollars.  Ah the good old days,
 But of course I only made 400 a month in 65.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: maquette on May 25, 2019, 08:55:15 AM
Dave,

Hats off to you. IMO, you consistently have the nicest and cleanest bikes I see on the forum.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: adaven on May 25, 2019, 09:13:15 AM
Quote
you consistently have the nicest and cleanest bikes I see on the forum.

Indeed.

Mine was a 49 with some 48 parts on it. It was an EL with a 3 speed with reverse that I locked out so I didn't shoot off backward while inebriated.
It was a super reliable bike that I put a lot of miles on in just a few years. Actually kind of sporty. So simple even someone with my limited skills wasn't nervous about taking it cross country.

But aesthetically it was always a rat. It was never as pretty as this.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: cookiemech on May 25, 2019, 03:20:54 PM
Sweet bike! My friend has a very lovely '58 Pan in Tropical Coral and white. Love to hear it fire up.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Vince in Milwaukee on May 25, 2019, 03:57:48 PM
I live about 30 miles south of Milwaukee.  You would be a rock star in my area.  That bike is stunning! 
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Sykestone8886 on May 25, 2019, 04:34:11 PM
Dave your killing me. Not fair that you have to beautiful relics like that. I had a 54 pan that I sold. Needed the money, kick myself in the ass but it is what it is. Great bike. Love seeing them run down the road.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Dave Swanson on May 25, 2019, 05:43:42 PM
I uploaded a walk around video of the old girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYZE0wkaG-k
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Ncdan on May 25, 2019, 05:45:30 PM
Love those old Harley’s! Thanks for your part in keeping them alive Dave :)
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Cam3512 on May 25, 2019, 05:50:09 PM
That's a beauty!  Love the lights under the seat.  Certainly had some gaudy deco on the bags.  Saw a couple knuckles today, same thing all over the fenders.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Dave Swanson on May 25, 2019, 05:55:39 PM
That's a beauty!  Love the lights under the seat. 

1956 is one of the last years the optional turn signal kit was designed for an under the seat installation.  In a couple years DOT required that they be moved to the tail light area. 
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: s1120 on May 26, 2019, 08:07:19 AM
She is a stunner!   I do love the lines of the old hardtails..  never really got behind the 60/70's era HD's at all.  Sad part is, Ill never have one because the values are so high. Just so simple, and lean..  Nice.   
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: canuck750 on May 26, 2019, 08:12:55 AM
 :bow: :bow: :bow:
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: JJ on May 26, 2019, 08:22:55 AM
Now that is one cool Panhead... :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :cool: :wink: :smiley:
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: leafman60 on May 26, 2019, 08:42:22 AM
I think I like that one better than the '84 Shovel!  Love that patina.

There is such a thing as a bike (or car) being too clean and perfect.

.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: lorazepam on May 26, 2019, 08:52:26 AM
Thanks for sharing. That is a wonderful bike. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Title: Re: 1956 FLH Out On The Town
Post by: Dave Swanson on May 26, 2019, 08:54:23 AM
I think I like that one better than the '84 Shovel!  Love that patina.

There is such a thing as a bike (or car) being too clean and perfect.

.

I am with you!  The 84 could be confused with a bike HD rolled off their assembly line and into the archives 35 years ago.  When I brought the 84 home it had a horrid paint job and was in a decrepit state.  It was crying out to be restored.  I really had no choice.

The 56 has the character only time can give, and the sheer luck of how the prior owner took care of it. 

I was looking for a Knucklehead to restore at the time I found the 56.  This will be my Knucklehead and I am quite happy with that.  Prices for junk knucks are out of sight now.