Steve D’s Pan by Stephen Berner

Telling a friends story is a funny thing to try and do – especially when there are three Steve’s involved and you’re one of them. It‘s about as tough to do as to hold onto a bike like this 1958 Pan for more than 37 years, staying the course to bring it back to stock, resisting the urge to hack it up and follow the circuitous route of trendiness. A total rat bike when he got it at the ripe age of 15, a bad bondo’d chopper with a grasshopper springer, no front brake and a host of OSHA, non-compliant behaviors, this machine was a real far cry from the stock appearing mild performance sweet heart you see here.

The rolling rat trap was given to Steve and his cousin by a guy who used to ride with a genuine NY tough-guy and this bike is reputed to have come from that mans collection of machines. Steve’s first challenge was to get the beast running – the bike had sat for about 15 years when it was gifted to the two intrepid know-nothings  – but getting it running was not as big a challenge for a kid who was as determined and somewhat talented mechanically as our hero. This was not rocket science technology; this was a Pan, and a ratty one at that.  Back in the day, there were people around who’d had the necessary expertise and they were happy to help. The bike got ridden like this for a while.

Some time later, Steve started to rip the bike apart to get it solid and safe, and slowly but surely wound up taking it down to the bone.  The bike needed to be rehabbed, he wanted to be able to ride and not fear for his life. One thing led to another, and I can speak from some long personal experience with our hero,  he is one anal guy. If it isn’t “right” it isn’t “right, know what I mean? Every nut, bolt, washer and connection was replaced and made “right”, in many cases better than stock.

The motor needed to be rebuilt. Dragonman did the initial rebuild, the job was fine.  Steve had started this adventure thinking he’d want the FL to be a custom, but the more machines he saw on the street and in magazines, the more he realized the bike would be happiest brought back to a stock “type” configuration. Steve was in his 20’s at the time.

Enlisting help in areas he’d not achieved a high degree of proficiency, like wiring, had friends participating in the rebirth of the Pan. Steve Nar, a particularly good friend who was both a talented tech, hot rod and bike enthusiast, helped Steve button up some of the malingering details. Steve Nar was a great guy, a good father and passed at all too young an age just a short few years ago and so this bike is in great part dedicated to him. **clink** He was truly a good guy and one of “us”, in every sense.

Appreciate please that nearly all of the work during this rebuild was done in the discomfort of his own small backyard garage – all the while sharing space with a muscle car, also in the process of being reborn!

Sources tells that a lot of swap meets were attended; a lot of parts were procured, a lot of time was spent running parts here and there.  Living in NYC, Steve wanted to be able to get on the highway and do 65mph without the machine coming apart and he needed to be able to stop. That meant he had some work to do and some upgrades to perform. Andrews gears in the trans meant he’d be able to shift smoothly, the ratios helped him keep up and a new/ modern front end meant he’d have decent suspension up front.

Tractor technology, nothing fancy at play here, tried and true parts and some smart updates. 12 Volt charging and electrical system updates and upgrades courtesy of Cycle Electric, an electronic ignition replaced the point’s setup he ran for years. The GMA brakes although they work are aesthetically not the smoothest units in terms of flow, but at the time, the aftermarket didn’t offer us the fancy fare and diversity it does now.

How a kid kept himself so focused that he stayed the course and completed a project like this in the first place is pretty rootin’ tootin’ amazing. As an adult, Steve took his time getting it to the super reliable, one-kick state it is in here. No, it not a 100% true to the bone OEM stocker, nor is it a full out custom, but who cares, it’s real runner, a definite looker and the culmination of a 37+ year journey few of us would be patient enough to take.

In closing SteveD asked to make a dedication: to the loving memory of Steve Nar, a true friend & a great wrench who was respected by all his friends especially this one…”

 Amen brother Amen!

Images & Words:                   stephen berner

This entry was posted in North American Bikes, Stephen Berner and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

19 Responses to Steve D’s Pan by Stephen Berner

  1. Writing unique articles may be a hard job.

  2. Hi, I believe your site might be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent site!

  3. CBD Oil says:

    Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your site in web explorer, could test this¡K IE still is the marketplace leader and a huge portion of other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.

  4. productive says:

    Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover an individual who actually knows what they are discussing over the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you surely have the gift.

  5. You should take part in a contest for one of the finest websites on the internet. I most certainly will highly recommend this blog!

  6. tiktokbeats says:

    Saved as a favorite, I like your web site.

  7. I seriously love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own website and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks!

  8. Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for supplying this information.

  9. I was able to find good info from your articles.

  10. Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  11. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx.

  12. Excellent article! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.

  13. Do you believe past life experiences? Do you think past lives regression is real?

  14. Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!

  15. After checking out a few of the blog articles on your website, I seriously like your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site too and tell me how you feel.

  16. I am usually to blogging and i genuinely appreciate your content regularly. This great article has really peaks my interest. My goal is to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand new details.

  17. there are many social issues these days and we have different solutions for different social problems;

  18. Rubin Ronda says:

    I just want to mention I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed you’re website. Likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You surely have tremendous articles and reviews. Appreciate it for sharing your web page.

  19. I really appreciate your help with my project!

Comments are closed.