BREAKING

Feature Bikes

Panning It Out

Featured in the October 2014 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

Article & Photos By: Mark Velazquez

Feature 5a

In a modern day world filled with social media, bling phones that do everything but make your coffee, to the newest technology for both two and four wheels, life will always bring you back to the basics. Which will then lead you to the classics. I have to admit there is nothing better than hearing the sounds of what I call “old school”. Big block engines, the sounds of motorcycles brought back to life from days gone by, all part of our great American tradition and culture. Just like baseball and apple pie! It is these traditions that has brought Richard Coleman into the world of two wheels. The thing about Richard is that when he jumps in the pool he does it in the deep end. Richard, now only riding since 2005 still calls himself a new rider. His riding adventures began while living in California. A few of his work buddies were riders and easily convinced Richard to take the safety course so and got himself a license and a bike. The rest is a love affair and addiction now 5 bikes in! So why the classics? Well, for Richard it has always been about the history and tradition behind these rides. To him, without tradition you have no future. So with that thought always in the back of his head really is about getting his hands on one of these diamonds in the rough. With no reservation, like a late night poker player, he’s all in! And what a find! Don’t ask me how Buzz found this bike, he does have his secrets, but hidden in an old barn was a 1956 Pan! Merry Christmas….!! So when it’s all said and done Buzz helps Richard seal the deal and the bike is his. It just goes to show that in the biker world we take care of each other. A random act of good looking out. Passing it up and keeping it alive is what I say.

Feature 5b

So now onto this bad ass 56 Pan. A look at her takes you back in time. This was truly an era that set the pace for what you see built today by most of the builders and manufacturers. Simple beauty. Harley Davidson at Richard comes to the good old east coast. Now calling Connecticut his home Richard starts to visit the local shows and swap meets. He begins to check out the local scene and is totally into the older rides. The fever is now starting to set in, but he still does not have one of these babies to call his own and is now wondering what it takes to make a score. In a stroke of pure luck, Richard runs into Buzz Kanter of American Iron Magazine. If you know anything about Buzz, like I like to think I do, he is the end all when it comes to the classic bike culture. What doesn’t he know…PAYDIRT!! So with a new friendship in hand Buzz begins to give Richard the ins and outs of the classic bike world. While taking it all in, in the back of Richard’s head is the fact that he still doesn’t have a ride! That all changes when he gets a call from Buzz asking Richard how serious he its best. Not too much to do for Richard here, definitely a lot of hours and elbow grease cleaning this bad boy but keeping her as original and as true to stock as he possibly could was the plan. So a quick trip to Retro Cycles in New Jersey to get her in tune along with some new handlebars and she is good to go! Clean paint that still shows her shine, she is a black beauty with a dash of tank yellow. As for the engine and tranny, all are stock Harley, untouched but just a bit refreshed. The rumble that comes from the long exhaust, is killer and an eye turner on every approach. You just can’t remake this sound. Everything about this ride makes you want to put on your cleanest white tee and leather jacket and hang a smoke out the corner of your mouth and do your best Brando! Even down to the “buddy” seat, what better way to sit high in the saddle as you take your Sunday ride. And let’s not forget the fact that no kick… no go! Richard admits that this was the biggest challenge of the bike. He says, that at the beginning he got a bit of a razing from his buddies 20 kicks in to a start learning this craft. There is no bail out here, and if you think kicking your bike on a brisk autumn day is a breeze I suggest you give it a try when you’re rushing out the door. All and all she is a classic beauty. Richard likes to call his 56 Pan his Sunday ride. With four other bikes in his stable, including a ’47 Knuck he just got his hands on, I would say he is truly hooked and there is no turning back now. So, as you take a look at the images of this piece of history remember, everything we call American has a starting place. Does not matter who else takes the vision, the starting place is forever here. Have respect for what has come before you for, it has set the pace for the things you see today. Pass it on. Like this ride, age has no boundaries and beauty is subjective. But sometimes… just sometimes there are exceptions to the rules.

Feature 5c

Panning It Out Tech Sheet
Owner: Richard Coleman
City: Stamford, CT
Fabrication By: Harley Davidson
Year: 1956
Model: FL
ENGINE
Year: 1960
Model: Panhead
Builder: Harley
Ignition: Stock
Displacement: 74”
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Cam(s): Stock
Carb: Stock
Air Cleaner: Harley
Exhaust:
Primary: Stock
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1956
Make: Harley
Shifting: Foot
FRAME
Year: 1956
Make: Harley Davidson
Rake: Stock
Stretch: Stock
Forks
Type: Hydraulic
Builder: Harley Davidson
Extension: Stock
Triple Trees: Stock
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Spoke
Size:
Front Tire:
Rear Wheel: Spoke
Size:
Rear Tire:
Rear Brakes: Drum
PAINT
Painter:
Color: Black and Yellow
graphics: Period
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Stock
Hand Controls: Stock
Gas Tank(s): Stock
Front Fender: Stock
Rear Fender: Stock
Seat: Buddy Seat
Foot Controls: Stock
Oil Tank: Stock
Headlight: Stock
Taillight: Stock
Photographer: Mark Velazquez

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