Harley-Davidson Panhead: history, model years and buying from America
The Panhead (1948-1965) is the Harley that gave us the Hydra-Glide, the Duo-Glide and the first Electra Glide. A sought-after classic, and scarce in Europe. In America there are many more. We find your Panhead to order, view and film it on the spot and ship it to Europe.
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The Panhead at a glance
- Years: 1948 up to and including 1965
- Engine: 61 ci (approx. 1,000 cc) and 74 ci (approx. 1,200 cc) V-twin
- Name: the rocker covers look like upside-down pans
- Predecessor: Knucklehead (1936-1947)
- Successor: Shovelhead (from 1966)
- Import: over 30 years old, original usually 0% EU import duty and reduced VAT
Why is it called the Panhead?
In 1948 the big Harley-Davidson V-twin got a new top end. The chrome-plated steel rocker covers look like upside-down frying pans, and that's where the nickname Panhead comes from. Also new were aluminium cylinder heads, which cool better than the cast-iron heads of the Knucklehead, and hydraulic lifters. That made the engine quieter and lower in maintenance.
The Panhead years at a glance
| Year | What changed |
|---|---|
| 1948 | First Panhead, still with a springer front fork. A year collectors look for. |
| 1949 | Hydra-Glide: the first Harley with a hydraulic telescopic front fork. |
| 1952 | Foot shift available alongside the classic hand shift. The 61 ci version disappears after 1952. |
| 1958 | Duo-Glide: rear suspension with a swingarm and a hydraulic rear brake for the first time. |
| 1965 | Electra Glide: electric starter and 12 volts. The only year with a Panhead engine in the Electra Glide, which makes it extra sought after. |
| 1966 | The Shovelhead takes over. Read on at the Harley-Davidson Shovelhead. |
What we look for in a Panhead in America
- Matching numbers. Does the engine number match the frame and the title? With Panheads that makes a big difference in value.
- Original or converted. Many Panheads were turned into choppers in the sixties and seventies. An original bike is worth more and counts as a collector's item for customs.
- Parts from different years. Frame, engine and papers from different years are common. We sort that out before purchase.
- Starting and running. We want to hear it start cold and see it ride, and we film that for you.
- The papers. A title in the seller's name, with a VIN that belongs to the bike.
Importing a Panhead: costs and rules
Every Panhead is well over 30 years old. If it's in original condition, it can be declared as a collector's item on import into the EU: usually 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate (9% in the Netherlands, 7% in Germany) instead of 6% import duty and the standard rate. Customs decides per bike. Read how in importing a classic from the USA.
A Panhead is also old enough for classic road tax rules in most European countries: no road tax in the Netherlands, and an H plate with a flat-rate tax in Germany. Read more in when is a motorcycle a classic and the cost of importing a Harley.
A Panhead to order: how it works
- Tell us what you're looking for: year, Hydra-Glide or Duo-Glide, original or chopper, and your budget.
- We search in America among private sellers, collectors and through our network.
- You get videos and photos and the available vehicle history before you decide.
- You pay by invoice into the company's US business account.
- We pick it up and ship it to Rotterdam, or for German customers also directly to Bremerhaven. From New York it takes about 4 weeks, from Los Angeles about 2 months.
More about the whole process at importing a Harley from the USA.
Frequently asked questions about the Panhead
Which years is a Harley-Davidson Panhead?
The Panhead engine was used in the big Harley-Davidsons from 1948 up to and including 1965. After that came the Shovelhead.
What is the difference between a Panhead and a Shovelhead?
The Panhead (1948-1965) has rocker covers that look like upside-down pans. The Shovelhead (1966-1984) got new cylinder heads with covers that resemble a shovel, and more power. The bottom end of the early Shovelheads is still largely the same as on the Panhead.
What is a Hydra-Glide and a Duo-Glide?
The Hydra-Glide (from 1949) was the first Harley with a hydraulic telescopic front fork. The Duo-Glide (from 1958) added rear suspension. In 1965 came the Electra Glide, with an electric starter.
Do you have a Panhead for sale right now?
We work to order. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll search for it specifically during the next buying trip in America.
Do I pay import duty on a Panhead from America?
If the bike is original, it's usually 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate, because it can be declared as a collector's item. Customs decides per bike.
Looking for a Panhead?
Send us your wishes on WhatsApp. We reply quickly, even when we're on the road in America.
💬 WhatsApp usRates and rules for import duty, VAT and taxes can change and differ per country. Customs decides per vehicle. Harley-Davidson® is a trademark of H-D U.S.A., LLC.