Flying Pan. A Custom 1951 Harley Panhead.

I have featured quite a few custom bikes built by the Custom Department of  Thunderbike, a very renowned official Harley-Davidson in Germany. The most recent and most famous one is of course the amazing PainTTless voted by its peers 2012 AMD World Champion during this last Sturgis the  Andreas & his crew started to make the yearly summer trip to South Dakota in 2008 and if that year they didn’t get the title of World Champion (at the time showcasing a cool custom called “Open Mind”) they came back home with a 1951 Harley Panhead that they purchased during the rally. Arrived in Germany at the beginning of 2009, it collected dust during almost 2 years before Andreas decided to work on it to turn it into the “Flying Pan” feature here. 
All Thunderbike custom bikes are interesting in the sense that the shop being an official Harley-Dealer, all their creations use a new, recent or old Harley powerplant mixed with new “old school” style proprietary parts with a result that must meet (after minor modifications) the tough standard of the European Union road legislation. So, their custom bikes are usually good references for American individuals and builders who want to see what they can modify on a Harley while keeping it road legal and road worthy.      

The 1951 EL Panhead Engine was fully rebuilt with only genuine Harley parts, except an S&S manifold, an S&S Super G carburetor and new custom rocker boxes for Pan sold by Custom Chrome Europe. Flying Pan rolls on a pair of beautiful 18″ Thunderbike (model Vegas) wheels (also available in 21″ & 23″ sizes for American & Metric bikes) wrapped in Firestone rubber. Fuel tank is from a Sportster with oil tank, fender struts and rear fender custom fabricated at the shop. Most other parts are from the Thunderbike catalog.  The complete building list is below. Thunderbike Germany.

16 Responses to “Flying Pan. A Custom 1951 Harley Panhead.”


  1. 1 Rodent Oct 22nd, 2012 at 9:03 am

    That ain’t a bad looking rideable , but not to far motorcycle.

  2. 2 Oldude Oct 22nd, 2012 at 10:18 am

    I got room in my garage for one more if he wants to store in in the U.S.. I’ll even start it and run it down to the local scooter hangout and back from time to time!

  3. 3 Steve Carr Oct 22nd, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    Simply perfect….

  4. 4 wetasafish Oct 22nd, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    very nice !

  5. 5 chopmonster66 Oct 22nd, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    NICE !!!!! Do have to say that is one sweet ride , those guys at Thunderbike Germany have it going on, They are blowing the U S A Harley shops away !!!!!!!!

  6. 6 Dave Blevins Oct 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Beautiful machine.

  7. 7 Blackmax Oct 22nd, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Now THIS is a piece of art, wow !!!!

  8. 8 Black Shadow Oct 22nd, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    Great Bike with super details! But when I hear “Flying Pan” I think of Hank Youngs work from a dozen years ago, it even declared it on the gas tank. I would give it another name.

  9. 9 Seymour Oct 22nd, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    +1 Black Shadow

  10. 10 Mark Mederski Oct 23rd, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Really? These pipes have baffles that meet sound regs in Germany? No turn signals? Amber headlamp? That’s great. Quite an accomplishment. Amazing what those rear fender braces do for the bike’s lines…..

    M

  11. 11 Kevin Boyle Kustoms Oct 23rd, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Very sanitary!

  12. 12 Robert Filla - Thunder Press Oct 23rd, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    CLEAN

  13. 13 Cantrell Oct 23rd, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    Everything Old Is New Again! What they should look like. And who say’s it’s not for long distance? Looks like a long hauler to me.

    Cantrell

  14. 14 Doug Kelly/ Vintage Bobbers Oct 24th, 2012 at 3:41 am

    Very Clean

  15. 15 Steve Carr Oct 24th, 2012 at 9:19 am

    I don’t see any info on the frame for this bike, any info availible ?

  16. 16 Iron Horse Oct 24th, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    I love the look and style of the bike, but totally agree with Black Shadow.

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Cyril Huze