'49 Panhead in a Softail frame

Hi all,

I just joined the forum, thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself and get some opinions and information.

I've been riding for almost 20 years, and been wrenching on my bikes for almost as long. I did my first full rebuild on a Harley, a '75 Shovelhead FLH, about 5 yrs ago, and then traded that for a '90 FLHT police bike with an S&S Evo. I'm learning as I go, and just took on a new project.

I recently bought a '49 Panhead in an early Softail frame. The bike didn't have a front end when I bought it, but for the most part was in really nice condition otherwise. I just ordered a DNA Springer stock length front end to put on the frame, but now I'm having some ideas...

I was thinking that maybe I'd pull the Panhead out of that frame and put it into a period-correct frame. I'd like to keep the bike as authentic as possible while still keeping it as a reliable riding bike. Do you all know when the first swingarm frames started appearing? From what I can tell, the '49 frames were all rigid wishbones, but I could be wrong. I'd like to make the bike as comfortable as possible while keeping the frame as close to the engine year as I can.

My other question is about what to do with the Softail frame. From what I can tell, it's an aftermarket frame with no VIN. Right now the title is numbered to the Panhead VIN. So, if I pull this engine, is my Softail frame worthless? My plan was to find an EVO and put that into the Softail, but how would I go about making that a legal bike? I know that after 1970 the Harley titles went by frame number.

I'm sure I'll have more questions whether or not I decide to do the 2-from-1 project, so thanks in advance for any guidance you all can give.

Keep the shiny side up,
Nick

In '49 they came out with the Hydra Glide hydraulic forks and in '58 came the Duo Glide with hydraulic rear suspension and a redesigned frame for the rear suspension.
Not sure about your aftermarket frame but I think you'd need a MSO from the frame manufacturer and register the bike as "Special Construction" Someone else might be able to help you more there...Good Luck, Post some pics of the bike.

yes the 49 was a rigid wishbone.57 was rigid straight leg. 58 was swingarm.if you watch you can still find a good original frame,but there are some good restoration quality reproductions made.

Hi Nellis, welcome to you,
Thanks for sharing it, i am also
'49 Panhead in a Softail frame
I've been riding for almost 20 years, and been wrenching on my bikes for almost as long. I did my first full rebuild on a Harley, a '75 Shovelhead FLH, about 5 yrs ago, and then traded that for a '90 FLHT police bike with an S&S Evo. I'm learning as I go, and just took on a new project.

I recently bought a '49 Panhead in an early Softail frame. The bike didn't have a front end when I bought it, but for the most part was in really nice condition otherwise. I just ordered a DNA Springer stock length front end to put on the frame, but now I'm having some ideas...

I was thinking that maybe I'd pull the Panhead out of that frame and put it into a period-correct frame. I'd like to keep the bike as authentic as possible while still keeping it as a reliable riding bike. Do you all know when the first swingarm frames started appearing? From what I can tell, the '49 frames were all rigid wishbones, but I could be wrong. I'd like to make the bike as comfortable as possible while keeping the frame as close to the engine year as I can.

My other question is about what to do with the Softail frame. From what I can tell, it's an aftermarket frame with no VIN. Right now the title is numbered to the Panhead VIN. So, if I pull this engine, is my Softail frame worthless? My plan was to find an EVO and put that into the Softail, but how would I go about making that a legal bike? I know that after 1970 the Harley titles went by frame number.

I'm sure I'll have more questions whether or not I decide to do the 2-from-1 project, so thanks in advance for any guidance you all can give.thanks and keep it up ni

if the frame has no numbers, then it might have been built by a garage fabricator, in that case it would have been inspected (well supposed to be) by someone like the state patrol, then tagged to the motor vin, as for special construction titles, I've done mine in three states now, even with a vin check requirment on new residents in utah, it's still reg. on the motor vin. kinda all matters where you live and who looks at it.

paughco frames are good, but on the hardtail frames I think the design is a little low to the ground, think I might have to put a slide plate on mine, seems to be alot of inclind drive throughs on the streets around here.

49 panheads only came with hydro front ends. is it an EL (1000) or FL (1200)? If it's a EL you might think about putting it back to stock. They only made 650 or so. There were no vin numbers on the frames. The only numbers on the title were the ones stamped on left case above the primary. The smooth ride as they called it came from the buddy seat on the post, which slid up and down on a spring inside the center frame tube. In case you wonder I rode one for 21 years. I would't put a 49 pan in a 58 swingarm. Just not rite. needs to be in a rigid. Good Luck how ever you go.

V TWIN makes a great retro frame for that 49 motor if you want to run the post mounted seat thats the best choice! I wouldnt run a Paughco frame if your trying to make it a perod correct bike There frames have a big dent in the seat tube part of the frame making it impossable to run a seat post! Because Harley frames were ridged till 58 the seat post was your suspension!
I think Harley frames still had the seat post tube in tact until 79 The other things that the V-TWIN frames have are all the tabs and correct brackets on them to connect all the original parts to them! As far as your softail frame goes...."WHATS A SOFT TAIL?

sounds good ot me