I CAN SEE THE FINISH LINE

Ok, for those of you who read this title and thought, "Matt ran in another race?"  I am sorry.  This post comes in at the completely opposite end of the spectrum from running...this post is about motorcycles.

During my time in Houston I got the chance to check-in on my 1952 Panhead.  It has been stationed up at MC Creations in Houston along with my other motorcycles.  Gregg, the owner of the shop, was kind enough to charge me a great storage rate, which means my motorcycles can reside around folks who know how to handle them.  Anyway, the story of this 1952 motorcycle is pretty cool, so I'll indulge you for a few moments. 

In 1996 I purchased my first Harley Davidson, which I still have.  I loved riding with friends all over California, but I also loved fixing the bike and upgrading different parts.  This is the cult of HD riding - the bikes aren't real efficient and they shake a lot, so you're constantly fixing things and tinkering away.  It's a labor of love.  So once I was into the scene, I started learning about all the different HD models that were made through the years.  Flatheads, Knuckleheads, Panheads, Shovelheads, Blockheads and now Twin-Cams.  I won't get into the details here, but basically these names designate the style of the motor.  Knuckleheads are the rarest, but Panheads are probably the most iconic; think Easyrider with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson.  So I as I learned about these different models, I got really excited about building an authentic HD from parts only.  A Knucklehead would be too hard to find, and much to expensive ($10,000 for a motor in pieces!) but Panheads were available.  I began my search.

One day at work, Kevin came up to me and said, "Hey dude, I've got a good friend, who has another friend, who knows this old-timer in Oakland who's selling 3 Panhead wishbone frames."  Panheads were first made in 1948, and from 1948-1952 the motorcycles were built on a frame that had two front posts shaped like a wishbone.  They are very rare and very popular.  "How much" I asked.  "$600"  Keving responded.  I was game.  I met this old-timer in Oakland and paid him $600 and I had started building my own bike.

Flash forward to 2000 when I moved to Houston, I still had that same frame and nothing else.  MC Creations had opened-up about 5 minutes from my apartment, so I wandered in one weekend and met Gregg, the owner.  We struck-up a friendship that has gotten stronger every year.  My first big expense was getting my $600 frame straightened; apparently the bike must have been in an accident at some point in its life, because the frame was really bent.  Gregg then turned my onto a guy named Phil Corley, who had a 1952 Panhead motor, transmission and belt drive, and from there I started piecing it together.  I landed an original springer front end in 2007, an original oil bag in 2008, and all the miscellaneous parts along the way. 

Take a walk down memory lane with me.

Here is the motorcycle on my lift in Houston.  Things were in good shape here, but no paint on the frame, no wiring, no exhaust pipes, no carberator, unmounted ugly fender, and on and on.  If you look under the neck where the front forks meet the frame, you can see how the frame Vs out like a wishbone.  This was a really special design on these bikes and was only produced from 1948-1952.

Same 1952 Panhead as above, but out for a little partner shot with my Shovelhead.  This Shovelhead was the first Harley Davidson I bought, way back in 1995.

Things are rolling along by this point.  My fender was now attached, I had pipes, Gregg had sold me the original oil bag (black tank right under where the seat goes), and some of the wires were showing-up.



Not the first time I've posted this picture.  When I blew through Houston last August I stopped by MC Creations and saw Gregg.  The frame on my Panhead had been painted black as I'd requested and the bike was back together except for the gas tank.

I employed some friends and family to help decide what to paint on my gas tank.  I had already decided to stick with the sharp blue color that the tank had originally, but I was at a loss on what I should have on the tank, if anything.  Many excellent choices were submitted but 4 choices loomed large in my head: Blank, Nemo (or colorful fish in general), a princess (I think), and a Number 1.

This holiday I checked back in with Gregg.  My bike was up on the lift and the fender and sissy bar were mounted and painted.  I was blown away.

Looking fantastic.  Now the only question was my gas tank and a seat.

Gregg looked at me and said, "I know you were debating what to do about that tank, but I took some liberty and I hope you like it."  I was nervous, but not overly concerned.  I trusted Gregg's judgement.  He brought out this tank with an awesome Number "1" painted on!  Gregg's painter didn't go the easy route with a decal and clear coat.  I was blown away.

So minus one exhaust pipe, this is what the 1952 Panhead looks like now.  Gregg also had a spare seat sitting on the wall that fit perfectly and was exactly what I was looking for.  The little set support in the back has been taken off - the sissy bar provides the support if needed.

So I didn't run in a race, but I've definitely been crawling against a clock for the last 15 years.  It has been a labor of lover for me.  When I get back to Houston this coming year, the bike should be all done. 

I know it wasn't the most exciting story, but thanks for reading everyone.