The famous Harley-Davidson Panhead engine, which knowledgeable people affectionately call a frying pan (or pan– which gastronomy is closer to), was in service for 17 long years – from 1948 to 1965. But even today, half a century after the end of production of this engine, many aftermarket companies produce replicas of the famous twin!.. Because the Panhead is really the iconic and, as many believe, the most beautiful Harley-Davidson engine!

The history of the Panhead began long before its debut: the starting point can be considered 1936, when the American motorcycle manufacturer introduced its first OHV big-twin, the 61 Overhead model, known as the Knucklehead. "Knuckle-headed" (as the nickname of the motor literally translates) was the most important achievement of Harley-Davidson in the first half of the last century, which allowed the company to survive the difficult time of the 30s and continue its development. However, by the beginning of the next decade, it became obvious that the engine was in dire need of an upgrade! Which became the "new-old" Panhead, created on the basis of 61 Overhead.

Work on the creation of a new engine was carried out even during the Second World War! And although the Panhead, introduced in 1948, was structurally similar in many ways to the engine of the previous generation (which is generally typical for Harley-Davidson V-twins, the basic principles of which are indestructible and unchangeable, like the recipe for a classic cheeseburger), it was a globally modernized unit, which had enough potential for almost two decades.