Oil and filter, servicing this 52 Harley Panhead

[@robertdunhouse979]

As a 20 year old who didn’t grow up around these old bikes and wants to get one I have to thank you for spreading this knowledge. Happy birthday as well Mike 🎉

[@redhillvintagemotorcycles1725]

He is an amazing teacher!! I only wish this channel (and youtube) existed when I was your age!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉

[@ludwigvonbuzzthoven]

I don’t even have a vintage bike: I have a ‘21 XL1200X and a ‘23 Triumph Thruxton RS. But I watch these videos of Mike’s because I learn a lot from them.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@charlescastell4638]

Happy Birthday, Mike! Appreciate you.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. That goes both ways.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊🎉

[@David..]

Kind of random but I feel like this guy would put together an excellent playlist for a road trip.

[@pacificmike9501]

Not all road trips are to be reported.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😎🎉

[@BWGPEI]

Happy birthday it must have been - you got to ride! May you have many more such days, with best wishes from North of the border in Ontario.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉

[@2000tc88]

Next oil change I'm gonna use that cardboard idea Mike, then I wont get oil all down the motor trying to get a funnel in there. I also carry a Peg. 👍 Thanks for the tips.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@pastorbobncc365]

I wait until my wife goes shopping to use the hot water in the kitchen sink to clean parts, have a blessed week my friends.

[@pacificmike9501]

You too. Nobody's watching me.

[@redhillvintagemotorcycles1725]

I bought a nice compact parts washer that uses ZEP purple degreaser- works great

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😁🎉

[@walterfechter8080]

I found my journal that I kept when I bought my second Harley-D (a 1950 FL Panhead). The bike was a rolling disaster -- a chopper with an extended junk springer. It also had a Kelly Springfield car tire on the rear and a banana tank with a shift gate which the former owner arc welded on the left side. The rings and valve/valve guides were shot. The thing put out enough oil smoke reminiscent of camouflage smoke emitted from a WWI dreadnaught. It kept the bugs away. Thanks for the info regarding the maintenance of der pannen kopf. All the best! Happy birthday, Mike!

[@pacificmike9501]

Now, there's a story that could probably go on for a while.

[@walterfechter8080]

@@pacificmike9501 Yep! It's "episodic" to say the least. I ended up getting that bike running right, making it safe and selling it to a kid whose dad had died a few months earlier. For another matter, back in 1965, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth gave me some great advice -- "If the forks are longer than six inches over factory length, take them off, put on a set of shorter (or stock) forks and then go out and have fun with the bike." No truer words could ever come from a "sage." Stay safe, Mike.

[@thomasprendergast2770]

It's great how you remind people general maintenance even the smallest of things is important over doing is better then the old good enough

[@pacificmike9501]

Well said. Thank You.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks can we have >more EVO Content please HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOP ...

[@pacificmike9501]

I don't have an Evo right now.

[@markiek3530]

Happen belated Birthday Mike! Thanks for the years of videos and knowledge you've shown us.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊🎉

[@manuelrivera6873]

Happy Belated Birthday Mike!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@stanleyroberts4381]

Yep,my 52 pan likes to puke oil when I let her sit too long,and Happy Birthday 🎉🎂

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@loddude5706]

'No wrinkles in the castings, no crowsfeet round the lamps, no creaking knees that can't be greased, no need for gentle ramps. No plastics brittling from their age, nor fading in the sun, no cloudy lenses through the haze, nor hint of mileage done.' A fine testament to a well made & well maintained piece of machinery. The owner however, appears to take pride in his own 'million-mile-patina-of-wisdom', no 'dabbing skin with pretty smells, concealing to appeal' for this boy, in fact, he shows his annual disdain for the human aging process by (allegedly) excessive irrigation. "Way to go Mike, for we who fester alongside the Greenwood compost, salute thee!" : )

[@pacificmike9501]

And I treasure your charming Birthday Wishes. Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

❤️💯👍😎🎉

[@bobhasselbeck5961]

You Sir, are an artist. Many thanks for showing us...

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊

[@billmillar7234]

Happy Birthday, Mike!!!...... don't worry about going over something that you have already covered.... even washing the bike you'll have something to point out that we haven't thought of.....and just spending time with you and Mike is relaxing and entertaining.....

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. Glad to have you along.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊💯

[@rickjohnston5788]

Happy Birthday Mike !🎉

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@calvinhamm3748]

Man Mike that white lithium grease trick that you do it has saved me so many times Love it You're the man

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊

[@kevinzanahogan]

Happy Birthday Mike, glad you made it another trip around the sun.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@redsky7527]

Happy 21st birthday, Mike! Many more and many more miles of riding.

[@pacificmike9501]

I like that. Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊🎉

[@donquijote1141]

Happy Birthday Mike!🎉We drive on our roads upside down relative to each other :-)

[@pacificmike9501]

And, we do a good job of it. Thank You.

[@mikerapp8163]

HappyBirthday Mike. Gotta get out of the garage at least one day a year 😅 thanks for making these videos. The ball Check on my shovel oil pump gets stuck. Keeping that wee filter in there clean seems to help. Starting it every week helps more.

[@pacificmike9501]

That's usually correct.

[@needmetal3221]

Great content as usual. For some reason a panhead feels proper going down the road. I used to ride our 64 for hours. It never missed a beat and seemed almost grateful to be ridden

[@pacificmike9501]

Panheads are like an anvil. They're good forever.

[@redhillvintagemotorcycles1725]

I had the 65 on the lift last week and went to drain the oil and the tank was almost empty- I knew where the oil was! Sumpy sump!!

[@pacificmike9501]

Just routine.

[@DrErickLopez]

Happy birthday Mike!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@JKJ360]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Mike. You are an excellent resource for those of us who need a confidence booster for doing this type of work. Truly the Bob Ross of motorcycle videos. Your voice has a George Carlin sound to it! My only suggestion would be to list the special tools that you use in the description, many of us have no idea what they are called. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@pacificmike9501]

Okay. Most of it is basic hand tools. If I use a special tool, I usually show it as such.

[@twowheeledwireman282]

Happy Birthday Mike!!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@TonyLemWoodsPhillips]

Happy Birthday Mike!!! Another very interesting, well produced video! Around 1990, I realized that I can use an old fashioned metal oil squirt can to fill my '77 FLH tranny with oil or top it up using the small "side plug hole". (Always use teflon tape when replacing the small plug) My starter relay cover tends to make getting to my access fill hole hard to get to along with the kickstarter cover I installed in 1990. Your '52 Pan tranny fill plug is nice and easy to access. Very clean, looks great! I never use my tranny oil squirt can for anything else and I always use a brand name transmission oil in it. (Original 4-speed) This makes my Shovelhead tranny oil checks very easy to take care of with no funnel needed. Again, Happy Birthday Sir!! Well done!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉

[@caseygretlein9493]

Happy belated birthday Mike from your old GoDaddy bass player pal Casey…..so glad to see you taking your knowledge on bikes to a platform like this…..I just discovered your channel so forgive me for being late to the party…..I look forward to future videos. 👍🏻

[@pacificmike9501]

Hello Casey! Come to Born Free. I'd love to see you. Gonna Drink You Purty.

[@caseygretlein9493]

Wow you remember that song, that’s amazing…….I always loved it when you showed up to our shows…..the bikes parked out front always brought a special touch to the night.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉🥳💯

[@arthurleino]

Happy Belated Birthday! Good instructions for a Panhead.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊🎉

[@bradleyyounger8499]

😂 that should be your next shirt! You sudsing up baby doll in a speedo! Happy belated birthday!

[@pacificmike9501]

I knew I shouldn't have said that. But, Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😂😅

[@markb3129]

Happy Birthday Mike, sounds like you had a good time. Smart idea of not opening the can of worms on oil. ✌🏻

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Happy belated birthday Mr. K , I hope you guys had a great time . Mostly thank you for your great videos shot by a great cameraman !

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉

[@ham632]

Happy Birthday! sounds like you had a blast.

[@pacificmike9501]

Yes, I did. Thank You.

[@aquadan005]

Happy belated birthday Mike. I celebrate mine on the 12th of May. In fact this year I bought myself a Pacific Mike "Tee" (the new one) Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, you've been 80% of my source of information while I rebuild my 82 FXWG

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉🥳

[@jeffkowalczyk4089]

happy belated natal day. i shall hoist a brew in your honor....

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@Kevscancave]

Great wet sump information Mike! It’s a pain but in my case firing it up every so often over the winter sure helps prevent that👍😎👍

[@pacificmike9501]

Yep.

[@lionelscott5839]

If you use a ball bearing that fits into the hole and you give it a good solid tap with a hammer that will make the seat round again , it also can be lapped in.

[@Kevscancave]

@@lionelscott5839 I do remember hearing that on an old Indian motorcycle forum! Pretty cool fix. Thanks Lionel👍

[@Saveourfreedom]

Congratulation, stay healthy and many more Motorcycling years.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊

[@andywander]

you can keep the clothespin clipped to the brake cable for quick access while riding.

[@pacificmike9501]

Once the leather gets wet, not necessary.

[@jimmyp6443]

Valvoline VR1 straight 60 in my 64 ,contains zinc ,I run this oil for the bronze bushings in Cam cover

[@pacificmike9501]

Cool.

[@howardpendle8528]

Happy Birthday Mike . As always a wonderful video . I always loved Pan heads , but never ale to get one . Old Harley always got a bad rap , but also never got the maintance they needed .

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. Old bikes are like all the old machinery, just needed constant care.

[@KraeseRepairs]

Happy Birthday

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@peterbroder8609]

Love the videos, love you man! You’re like my morning therapy before 😢everyone at my job makes me want to go sailing out the window, haha. I appreciate the time and effort y’all take to make these videos. I’ve just gotten myself into my first shovelhead mess and this is so wonderful to have. THANK YOU! Sincerely, peter

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. Glad to help.

[@GMAN420BC]

Good evening Mike n Mike !

[@pacificmike9501]

Good Evening.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👋😊

[@vernegibb621]

M&M already know about oil slumping .but you explained it so well,it was worth hearing again. Any chance you could go over hydro locking on engine's?

[@pacificmike9501]

Pretty rare on a Harley.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😊

[@jackienelson5804]

Hi Mike couldn't sleep so thought I'd see if you had anything new

[@pacificmike9501]

Just taking care of life in general.

[@artesper7898]

I put my air filters in my laundry tub. Put a load laundry in, turn it on. Run it some water hang it on my fence till dry

[@pacificmike9501]

Wow.

[@keithblume5159]

Happy birthday!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@frankfortino9820]

Happy birthday Mike. I enjoy your videos. You ever going to work on the flathead project again soon?

[@pacificmike9501]

Just building up funds and getting ready to do the complete motor.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🙏👍🙂

[@timwheeler8728]

Apologies disregard my previous coomment on baby doors brakes I see they are original chore tim

[@pacificmike9501]

Just modified the Shovelhead.

[@timwheeler8728]

Hi Mike I notice on both the Ppanhead & Shovel you have converted the front brake to hudrolis disc--- can we have a video showing how you carry out the brake conversion cheers tim from downunder

[@pacificmike9501]

The Shovelhead has 2008 fork legs. Still took a little fitting around fender brackets.

[@NS-yl6wj]

Happy belated birthday!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@karlhering594]

Hi Mike, During the oil change do you flush the tank out? My shovelhead manual says to use kerosene. When I change my oil I use an extra large can of automotive brakleen to wash the sludge off the bottom on the oil tank. Then, after I fill the tank with fresh oil and am about to start it, I remove the oil return hose from the tank and attach a small hose which spills into the drain pan. Then I run the engine and let about a pint of old oil get pushed out of the motor and puke into the drain pan. Shut it off, reattach the return and top up the tank. My shovel (81) stopped with the wet-sumping after did a couple of oil changes this way.

[@pacificmike9501]

Cool.

[@johnhardy1071]

Hey Mike. I changed out the sprocket shaft nut/seal (24031-55), and the spacer (24035-66) on my '67 FLH. No problems changing it, but is there a torque setting for the nut? Happy birthday, and thanks for doing the videos. Always learn something.

[@pacificmike9501]

I generally attack them lightly with an air impact.

[@patrickroeill8746]

That is a beautiful bike

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@magnusvanttinen7855]

Thanks for showing this.

[@pacificmike9501]

Our pleasure!

[@richardgrognard6394]

good morning Mike could you give me your opinion on the jets of the S&S shorty E carb which is on a 1981 shovelhead? what would be the good compromise between the main jet and the secondary one, please?

[@pacificmike9501]

I don't know where you're at or what's in your motor. Use the S&S directions. (sscycle.com)

[@richardgrognard6394]

@@pacificmike9501 my engine is original stock with only an S&S shorty E carb

[@calvinhamm3748]

Can you recommend a general aftermarket brand for and '90s Harley that is not drag specialties because the last couple components we have gotten from them have either not worked been completely the wrong size or the rubber degrades within a year I don't know how they get away with selling this stuff anyways is there another brand that you use besides them obviously I try to stick with OEM as much as possible but that is coming to an end for these older bikes

[@pacificmike9501]

Oddly enough, you just gotta learn the hard way what to buy and what not to. Drag Specialties is a supplier who buys from the same guys everyone else buys from. Sure, a lot of stuff is "exclusives." But most things are made overseas and sold to us through a big bunch of distributors. The biggest one is probably Drag Specialties. Some stuff is really good.

[@calvinhamm3748]

@@pacificmike9501 yeah it seems the rubber components aren't the best I've had good luck with their metal components

[@mickeywarren2316]

Thanks for the info Mike

[@pacificmike9501]

Thanks for watching.

[@michellelisenbee]

What weight oil do you typically use on your iron oil pump engines? Fresh rebuilt motor, Spring and summer on the central left coast.

[@pacificmike9501]

20/50. I lived on the Central Coast for quite a while.

[@ajkylen]

Happy Birthday Pacific Mike 🎉 To funny I’m going to kill that thing 🎉once again Happy Birthday from Sleepless in Seattle cheers 🎉

[@pacificmike9501]

It does happen.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊🎉🥳

[@danielcecil9240]

Thanks, Mike! I also have a 52. What oil weights do you recommend? And how do you feel about additives like Lucas? Thanks again! And apparently we're both Tauruses, which is part of why we're both awesome 💪

[@pacificmike9501]

You bet! I don't recommend lubricants at this time because I need to learn a bunch more. But, I run 20/50 in my bikes.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂🎉

[@danielcecil9240]

What about trans oil weight?

[@robertbdees9913]

Happy Birthday kinda late.

[@pacificmike9501]

I'll take it anytime. Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

Hi Mike! just a question: I have an 1946 EL engine( knuckle Head) totally restored that Im planning to sell, do you have any idea on the value? The Engine was rebuilt to 1200CC, by one of the best Mechanics on old bikes in Sweden. It was built for my Wife's Trike, but she got sick, so I sold the Trike, but kept the engine. The Engine been running 350 miles in the Trike. The Engine been sitting for 20 years, but been moved around several times a year, just to keep it from getting stuck. Its also rebuilt to 12V, has a brand new S&S super E carburetor, 12V generator, its really in mint condition.

[@pacificmike9501]

I honestly don't know. I can't keep up with prices here. I usually look all over the internet to see what the prices look like currently.

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

@@pacificmike9501 Well Im just checking up, not a rush to sell anything, but I understand that the prices on such engine is minimum 11-12000 Usd or more, who knows? Just kept it as a spare engine for my bike which has a 47 KH

[@billhamilton-u9b]

Hey Mike! Have you made a video on replacing the timing cable that goes up into the handlebar?

[@pacificmike9501]

I don't think so. They do explain it all pretty well in Harley''s service manuals.

[@ronaldcooper7609]

Please give the details on the oil filter bottom nut gasket. I have been fighting a leak on mine for years.

[@pacificmike9501]

From long time use, the washer on the bottom becomes formed to the cannister. The gasket can use a little sealant there. There's a buildup of it on mine, so, I just use a little white lithium grease on it.

[@ronaldcooper7609]

@@pacificmike9501 What is the washer you use? Looks like metal and rubber? The bottom of the cannister is indented slightly. Should I flatten it?

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

I believe yku cant tell us what the best oil is too use today. I think most people would like to know what oil you use because if its good enough for pacific Mike, itsgood enough for them. Of course im sure some people will have thier opinions about the oil you choose to use. So be it.

[@pacificmike9501]

Yes, it's a tough one.

[@stevepope5484]

I was advised not to install an oil filter on my 53. Why? Because the stock oil pump is barely strong enough to pump oil through the engine alone?

[@pacificmike9501]

After 31 years of owning this Panhead, that is some news.

[@michaelyarmie4858]

Hey Mike how much does it cost you for insurance and registration for a year on your pan?

[@pacificmike9501]

More than it should.

[@michaelyarmie4858]

No kidding. Here in Manitoba, you have to pay for the year. The riding season is 5 months May - September. But you can ride weather permitting the other 7 months. One winter in January it was like plus 60⁰ F. So, of course, I went for a ride..lol Not fair a weather rider like you guys in Cali..hahaha.

[@anonamousone6994]

I have 2000 panzer seems to be spring loaded ball is sticking a nd oil is leaking a lot of oil. Can of I clean it up by changing oil and remove it to clean it up or should it be replaced and where can I get this check ball.

[@anonamousone6994]

And do I need to remove primary cover when filling oil?

[@pacificmike9501]

Any aftermarket Harley shop should have the ball and sppring. Any time the bike sits too long, without being operated, she could wet sump like she has. Dirty oil will certainly make it happen worse and oftener. After you've drained the oil out of the tank, put a quart or two in the tank so you don't run out. The system will have to balance itself out again. Put a pan under it. It will run out of the breather tube until it balances out. Don't let the level run too llow and don't overfil it. Go by recommendations in your service manual.

[@pacificmike9501]

You should be able to leave the primary alone.

[@yoso585]

Mike, can you tell us if you use synthetic?

[@pacificmike9501]

At the moment, semisynthetic. Don't know that I'll land here though.

[@leeakers4525]

Probably can't wash those in the kitchen sink if there is a wife, or righteous ol' lady in the house. One gets in almost as much trouble as packin' another girl.

[@pacificmike9501]

Currently, it's just me and Sonia.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😂😊

[@Harley1Mike]

Mike, how often do you change the oil on a Panhead?

[@pacificmike9501]

Every couple thousand or sooner if it's been sitting too long.

[@martinwall7297]

shit mike ! what weight is that old oil. looks like dirty H20.

[@pacificmike9501]

20/50

[@martinwall7297]

@@pacificmike9501 i've used 20-50 simi-syn castrol (act evo) in my shovelhead, wallmart has it. it's good in winter time and holds up good. but my bike runs great with 50 or 60 wt.and holds up better. with 48,000 miles, try lucas oil.

[@terrywalsh2349]

Mike , i know you do not like to publicize oil brands , however how many miles between oil & filter change on the pan head ?

[@pacificmike9501]

Depends on how often I ride her. Usually I change her with the seasons (4 times a year), unless she's been run a lot more.

[@patriciawalsh3493]

@@pacificmike9501 yes with your extended riding weather down south that would be the case . My Shovels & current Evo. , I run around 5000 mile oil change oil & filter changes with good synthetics . I think 12 k was my high within a Northern climate for Harleys lol.

[@northerniltree]

Something tells me you get up oily in the morning.

[@pacificmike9501]

I'm glad to get up in the morning. Hope you are too.

[@tonycurtis6898]

Thank you

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@jackienelson5804]

I wish I could go but that will have to wait

[@pacificmike9501]

It comes around every year.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@jackienelson5804]

Sneaky and so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE AND MANEY MORE MY BIRTHDAY IS JUNE 28 1948 life is good

[@pacificmike9501]

Happy Birthday early then, and Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊

[@jackienelson5804]

Hay mike how are you guys doing LEMAY

[@pacificmike9501]

All's well. Hope the same for you.

[@jackienelson5804]

Boy I ment I hope I didn't a fend you it's over you guys take care

[@pacificmike9501]

I got it. No sweat.

[@jackienelson5804]

Hay you guys I hope I didn't afford you your show I look forward every time your on LEMAY NELSON

[@pacificmike9501]

No. It's good to hear from you.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@jackienelson5804]

Hay what are you guys up to hope everything is OK .LEMAY NELSON

[@pacificmike9501]

All's well. Wishing the best for you.

[@rustymacneil3227]

Happy Birthday Mike!!!

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉😊