Author Topic: 1956 FLH Out On The Town (Read 2609 times)

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.

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

Adk.IBO · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2019, 08:38:10 AM »

Nice!

lorazepam · « **Reply #2 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.

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #3 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.

maquette · « **Reply #4 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.

adaven · « **Reply #5 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.

cookiemech · « **Reply #6 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.

Vince in Milwaukee · « **Reply #7 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!

Sykestone8886 · « **Reply #8 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.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #9 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

Ncdan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2019, 05:45:30 PM »

Love those old Harley’s! Thanks for your part in keeping them alive Dave :)

Cam3512 · « **Reply #11 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.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2019, 05:55:39 PM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on May 25, 2019, 05:50:09 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.

s1120 · « **Reply #13 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.

canuck750 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2019, 08:12:55 AM »

JJ · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2019, 08:22:55 AM »

Now that is one cool Panhead...

leafman60 · « **Reply #16 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.

.

lorazepam · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2019, 08:52:26 AM »

Thanks for sharing. That is a wonderful bike. Bigger is not necessarily better.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2019, 08:54:23 AM »

Quote from: 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.

.

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.

News:

Author Topic: 1956 FLH Out On The Town (Read 2609 times)

canuck750