A friend is building a -55 Panhead, it's going to be a "no frills" 60's style bike. Yesterday we talked about whether finned aluminum valve covers would look right, or is that really more late 60's - early 70's style? Would appreciate some edjucation on this subject, what manufacturers were there & when did they start to appear?
Yeah, I know just did'nt feel like register just to ask a question. Thought I'd give it a try here first...
My first recollection of them was late 60's. They were in all the chopper mags. If it is no frills, go with the stock plain covers. I just polished them up on my old '57 pan and ran 'em that way. This was about '70. The eras are so close I'd just run what I liked, so should he.
I first remember them in the late 60's/very early 70's. Randy Smith at Custom Cycle Engineering made em. There is a webpage about him somewhere. I kinda collect them. I've got 2 original sets, one new set from the states and one reproduction set from Sweden. I need another front cover if anyone has a single. Listening to SRV playing Pipeline.
The only ones Ive ever seen are the cast aluminum covers custom cycle engineering put out. CCE started in 1967. The finned rocker covers are supposed to help with cooling, preventing leaks and cutting down on valve chatter; pretty signifigantly from what ive heard.
For no frills i'd go with plain, i considered the cast alloy just for the better sealing qualities but was unsure about the fins. In the end i opted for plain tin but did use thin D rings to spread the load & help seal better, i do have some very thin alloy covers hanging on the wall & some thick D rings but never used them! Kev.
Here's the site of Randy Smith, who invented the finned aluminum Panhead covers and started Custom Cycle Engineering: http://www.randysmith.info/ There are lots more links here: http://www.roadsters.com/harley/ Dave http://www.roadsters.com/
The Jalopy Journal
