There are few classier machines than an old panhead devoid of unnecessary trinkets and doo-dads. Just a solid, practical old bike. Cacey's bike is a fine example of this rare breed. No big display of master craftsmanship or superfluous decoration; just a mile-eating, smile-generating American motorcycle built to outlast any trends or hipster hijinx.

Owner name, location: Casey B. Smith, Roseville, CA 

Bike name: Irene 

Engine, year and make, model, modifications: 1956 Panhead FLH '74 c.i.d.

Frame: '57 panhead straight leg rigid

Fork: Wide Glide 

Chassis mods: Just added footboard tab mounts

Tire/wheel size and style: 16" rear  star hub with a Avon MK II, 5.00-16"; 19" front star hub with rear Avon 4.00-19 65S

Favorite thing about this bike: I love the tanks I found it like that painted when I got this as a project bike. It's got a custom weld burn mark by the gas cap courtesy of a chopper building legend while getting the rear mounts rewelded since it was leaking gas all over the place. It gives the bike character

Next modification will be: Strengthen up rear ford fender for passengers (Mikey D)??? Lower triple tree trade out to put in bells and a Hydra glide headlight cover with a stock front break and eventually a sidecar for my Dog Gunner! Oh yeah, and some new pipes. 

Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: I put in a mag I got off the net and I got some custom risers and bars from Bryan Hall that he got from lil mike..Lil mike spent countless hours tweaking on the risers.Thanks Lil Mike. I got a 56 plate that I got registered to the bike yellow and black that I love to death and got a old drag specialty knight tail light from a good bud JB. Thanks guys 

As Casey tells it: When I first got the bike my bud John Barry went with me to check it out. After John and I inspected the bike we found shavings all over in the cam area. So John insisted we pull it all apart and split the cases. We did and built that motor from scratch. John also helped with rebuilding my transmission. So after that it was lining stuff up and welding this and that and putting it all together and viola! A running '56 pan back on the road. Its first maiden voyage was an epic 1000-mile plus road trip with good friends Scotty, Kevin and Brandon down Highway One through some fun places

Thanks: John Barry. Without him I would still be looking at this project dumfounded. One of the most giving people I have ever met!  Check his blog out