The frames been in the back shed for a few years,i've been collecting parts before l make a start on the build,
got about 90% of it now , some original some after market some home made, just now wiped the dust off and took a good look ,
its in good condition with only a few small repairs needed,the black paint can stay with a few touch ups around the scuffs.

changed my mind,didnt want to but kind of new it would happen, when l painted the rigid frame at the same time of the 1958 parts,
its a v-twin roller kit from the states a mate bought in about 6 years back didnt do any thing with it, so passed it on to me at cost,
its got the motor and trans l was going to use in the "58" so ive put the 58 back into storage for now,probably till next year,
so this is a 1956,the usual built motor and strans from scratch,didnt have to build the wheels as they are part of the roller kit,
not real keen on the colour ive painted but it is a 56 colour,.... it starts and runs real good, just doing carb and timing adjustments...
l didnt put anything up here, no photos taken of the build,l picked up a 46 knuckle to fix up for a friend,2 days back so ill show the build of it  in a new topic,
to keep a record of what has been done to it,,,so thats what happened to the "58" for now...

1956 panhead

Nice

How was the fit n finish on the roller?, I've seen and heard some scary stories.

Jesus, I feel like such a lazy prick after reading about what you’ve got on the go!! 

yes the stories are true, l could write a 3 page spread on the trouble with the v-twin roller kits,
in this case anyway, all parts needed to be hand fitted,and l mean all,there wasn't a part that fitted  as it should,
build quality of parts could be improved on for sure,when fork oil added they leaked like a sieve,3 times l had them apart ,
l hadn't heard about issues with these kits and probably wouldn't have taken any notice anyway,

 

 
 

so its been a while since ive added to this, some of the photo's might not be in the correct order ,the build went o.k.  flywheels shafts both replaced, a new set of rods bearings etc..

old swing arm bearings, shaft and seals replaced with new...the smell of the old grease ,fantastic!

couple of repairs to some of the threads in the frame that hold the oil tank mount,snapped off bolts to be removed with an (easy out) 

the neck lock had a water pipe plug banged in the hole,cleaned up the area drilled an over sized hole ,machined a new feral to plug fit and spot welded it,the lock now looks and operates as it should, sounds quick n easy but took a bit of work to line it up and get it right,, 

origonal manual timer re-build,checked over,greased,new set of points ,condenser,wiring..

frames cleaned up, a new set of fork bearings,seals,swing arm parts, a good used set of rear shocks,original pan handlebars are a bit scuffed but are in good enough condition to use,fitted a new left and right handlebar spirals,cables, switches,,,etc....

mixed up some of my left over paints to get a blue im happy with, so ive gone with  blue and white for the tins,, ive had the front fender tip for 20years, it is an eagle iron product ,new from its packet...

the wheels are a set l took of my 1950 panhead,since they had white wall tyres fitted already they suit this 58 more than the 50, l put a set of black rubber & rims back on the 1950. the fork legs are a set l rebuilt for my shovelhead back then,,l builta  right side drum brake set up  for the shovel and replaced them with this set now going on this bike..(left side drum brake)

ye olde guide-55 tailight stripped, cleaned , repaired and ready to fit,(dont have a photo of the finished light)

picked up a set of 58 bare motor cases from u.s. ebay a couple of years back,took a chance that they wouldnt need repairs,they were grubby but cleaned up extremely well with no cracks breaks or other issues, chased all the threads ,gear box case was good as well,came with case and cogs only,so it got a complete re-build using the cogs it came with, 

re-built a ratchet lid for the trans,.clutch and primary set up ..and worked on the rear hydraulic brake set up.