There's a song that y'all might be aware of from outlaw country legend David Allen Coe that holds true to many owners of Harleys built between 1948 to 1965: "Panheads Forever."
He wrote this song because of his deep dedication and knowledge of the bikes. It starts out, "She's hard to get started and always so cold." Well, I'm not sure if the long-haired redneck ever went to Idaho, but plenty of Panheads did. And for this one, being a hard starter almost ended her life.
Matt Whitlock, owner-operator of Wrecked Metals in Boise, is a true builder. He builds hot rods, customs, choppers, and even furniture.
Matt bought the bike from one of his buddies, John Melshimer, who had it sitting in his garage, but it really wasn't for sale. Matt wanted the Pan as bad as a fat kid wants cake, so he did everything he could to get it. He had the jones so bad that he sold cars, bikes, and a ton of parts to come up with enough scratch to entice his homeboy into selling it to him. After offering pretty much everything he had, Matt came up with enough money to get this street machine into his grimy clutches.
Matt rode the bike for four years, and it let him down repeatedly, sometimes leaving a trail of parts down the street. The bike never started right from the get-go, and once he was finally fed up, it was time to bust her apart and give her a new life.
He stripped the Pan down to a bare frame and sent the motor off for a little TLC. Little did he know that the shop he sent it to was almost a death sentence for the motor. After a week or so of the shop having his motor, Matt got a call at work that the shop burned down, and they weren't sure what had become of his engine. Luckily, the motor had been put on the back burner and was sitting in a storage container behind the shop. The owners had no idea what was what, but after a year he was finally able to get his untouched motor back from the shop. Due to the bullshit he endured, Matt was a little less motivated, so it took him a few years to get the bike done. Bike builds take time when you are running your own business, raising twin boys, and have a habit of skateboarding. A part of the time was also spent lying in wait for the right parts, and then actually getting them. You all know how that game is.
Matt describes the bike as a style that never went out. Clean, simple, and not too accessorized. It sure is an eye-catcher that will stand the test of time. We caught up with Matt out in Bonneville, Utah, where he and his car club were hanging around enjoying the racing and knocking a few back. Matt's best memory to date with the newly renovated bike was riding it flat-out on the wide-open salt flats. Well Matt, keep on riding and working on Wrecked Metals (www.wreckedmetals.net). By the looks of it, you sure as hell know what you are doing.
For more in-depth photos and a complete build list of parts used on this bike go to: streetchopperweb.com.