Check Out This Epic 1949 Harley

Oct 19, 2023

The Wheels Through Time YouTube channel spill all the details about this historic hot rod motorcycle and get it back out on the road where it belongs.

The Wheels Through Time YouTube channel posts content about all things cruisers and classic American motorcycles. The channel shows a variety of content from classic Harley-Davidson restorations to showcasing rare Indian Motorcycles classics.

In this video, Matt and John from Wheels Through Time put the finishing touches on a 1949 Harley-Davidson FL Panhead Hot Rod motorcycle. Pulling the bike apart to install the last parts, Matt and John explain what makes the motorcycle so special as a period piece bike as well as the sentimental value it holds for both of them.

Matt breaks down the details of this historic 1949 Harley-Davidson FL Panhead hot rod. It's one of the earliest examples of the Panhead engine as Harley-Davidson started manufacturing the Panhead in 1948 to replace the Knucklehead engine. The Panhead represented a huge revolution in Harley-Davidson engine technology.

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After 12 years of manufacturing the cast-iron heads that were on the Knucklehead engine, Harley produced the Panhead aluminum heads for the 74 cubic-inch V-twin engine. The new heads looked like cooking pans thus the moniker "Panhead". More importantly, they breathed better, cooled better, and were much lighter than their previous counterparts.

Other major upgrades over the previous generation Harley are the "Hydra-Glide" hydraulic forks as well as upgraded brakes. Harley-Davidson showed a real effort with these modifications to make this cruiser much more road-friendly.

John shows off some incredible details specific to the 1949 Harley such as the "gentleman's choke" located on top of the tank rather than down on the carburetor itself. This is to avoid getting any engine dirt or road grime on the fingers when out on the town. Some other unique parts on this bike are the hubcaps that came off of a Hudson car.

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John installs a new fuel shutoff in the gas tank giving a thorough walkthrough of the entire process. Both Matt and John remark on how old-school the orange flames design on the black gas tank looks. With fresh oil and the drive chains already adjusted, the guys put some fuel in the refurbished gas tank and this cruiser is ready for the road.

This specific motorcycle was a gift from John's deceased mentor Dale. John expresses the deep emotions he feels being able to get the bike back in running shape. He ultimately honors Dale in the best way he can: by firing up this old hot rod and roaring into the horizon.

Eric King is a motorcycle enthusiast at heart but loves all things with a motor and wheels. From watching racing to riding and racing roadbikes as well as dirtbikes, he loves it all! He has experience writing articles for a motorcycle publication and enjoys the process of writing about one of his greatest passions. Along with a deep knowledge of bikes, he also enjoys working on, driving, and writing about cars and trucks.