1951 pan chopper Harley Panhead Discuss 1951 pan chopper in the Classic Harley Motorcycles forums; hello I'm new here but i need info history value on my bike that i inherited i have look all over the net can't make heads or tales have not ...

[cyb3rjo3]

hello I'm new here but i need info history value on my bike that i inherited i have look all over the net can't make heads or tales have not found any thing like my chopper its a 51 fl 1200cc motor the frame is made by someone named amen out of California. i attached a photo not sure if i did it right please let me know thanks joe

[unclepsycho]

Hi there cyberjoe,
Welcome to the forum. Glad to have ya here.
There are many good folks here that can help you with your bike.
How did you come by the info that the frame is Amen in Calif? I'm just curious.

I was thinking Amen is on the east coast, but I am thinking of that Biker Build-off with Amen and Billy Lane. Might not be the same frame builder.

I just did a quick search, which brought up Amen Motorcycles in Teaxs and they say something on thier site about Tennesee. Maybe this is a place to start??? they have e-mail address etc for contact.

Amen Motorcycles of South Texas

Hope this helps.

Please feel free to ask away here, that is a sharp looking chopper. Cute co-pilot you got there too.

[unclepsycho]

Ah ha... I took a Closer look at the websites..
Amen Motorcycles is in Texas
Amen Design and Engineering is in Tennesee

They have the same looking Logo

Amen Design and Engineering

Amen Design and Engineering Learning Center

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Joe

Interesting sickle..

I'm not sure if you'd find much history on it cuz the history might be only as old as when it was put together in it's present form..
What year does the title say..?
What state are you in.?
Since it's apparently an After-Market frame (amen ???) it prob has a "spec. const." title..

Almost everything is After-Market..
It's worth/value is anybodies guess.. 5K -- 10K.. ??

Do you have any idea if the motor is stock, modified, who did the work if any.?

Are you planning to ride it.?

If it was mine-------------------
The Mechanical rear drum is OK, I ran them on my Pans,, but don't bet your life on that skimpy crappy front mechanical brake.. That is Death rides a Horse..
The SU carb is fine but takes some familiarity to jet correctly..
That exhaust will never allow the motor to run to potential..
I would cut them off at about 24" - 28" and slip some Hi-Flow Muffs on..

Have a ball

[Buzz Kanter]

welcome to the American Iron Harley motorcycle forum. Interesting chopper you have there.

Amen was an aftermarket motorcycle parts manufacturer back in the 1960s. Made a lot of interesting chopper parts. Don't know about that frame being an Amen, but the front wheel looks like an Invader spoked wheel.

[Bigincher]

Hello cyb... nice bike...!

I think most grey-beards will readily associate the name 'Amen' as frame makers from the 60's and 70's most famous for the 'Savior' frame which had a plunger-style rear suspension. I do recall them from being in California, as that was pretty much a hub of the chopper scene during that era. Your frame is not a 'Savior', but obviously a rigid with some stretch and rake. It's truly "old school"--- and I hate that term because it is so abused these days--- but check out the king/queen seat, the Invader front wheel, and the classic swept fishtail pipes!

If you're asking what the 'value' is, that's real hard to put a number on. No amount of dollars can probably equal the personal historical value of the bike, so I won't offer any numbers. To me, the value is in seeing a survivor from the early chopper days; what you have is a real chopper, not a cartoon-bike like you see these days. I'd suggest picking up a Service Manual for the bike, you'll need it to do routine maintenance and tune-ups. You can pick up reprints of the original manual for about 20 bucks here: Antique Cycle Supply, Inc.©SERVICE MANUALS
You'll want the 1948-57 Panhead Service Manual.

Good luck with the bike, and you might want to check in at the Classic side of the AIM forums.

[cyb3rjo3]

Hello thanks for the info yes i want to restore it one day i will check out that antique cycle thanks joe

[Bigincher]

Originally Posted by cyb3rjo3

Hello thanks for the info yes i want to restore it one day i will check out that antique cycle thanks joe

Joe, I am in the middle of restoring a '52 FL right now. Let me tell you this--- about all you have to work with there, really, is the motor and transmission. And maybe the rear wheel and oil tank. It depends on how far you want to take it, how 'original' or 'correct' you want it to be, and whether or not you want to use aftermarket or OEM parts, the latter being genuine antique parts that you'll have to beat the bushes to find, and pay dearly to own. Either way will cost a bundle, probably a lot more than you realize. I'd like to also suggest you do a lot of research first. There's an excellent book you can buy that is pretty much considered 'The Bible' for Harley restorers; it's called "How to Restore Your Harley-Davidson" by Bruce Palmer III. You can find it almost anywhere, just Google it. Run you about 35 bucks, money well spent.
Here's a picture of the cover....
Got any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[Buzz Kanter]

If it was my bike I would not try to restore it but would probably modify it to be safer and easier to ride. I'd probably start with the exhaust and put on something with a bit of back pressure to help generate more power and slightly less noise.

Then I'd do something with that seat - which is soooo '60s. Perhaps a solo with pogo seat (if the frame allows) or external dual springs.

After that things start to get more expensive - forks, controls, carb, etc. Just a matter of how much money and time you want to throw at the bike. Of course if this is a bike a close family member built you might want to leave it as is. Your call.

[unclepsycho]

I think I should have waited to reply... I dont have enuff grey in my beard yet....
Thanks for gettin the right info to him you guys......