Reviews for Riders: Tyler Golletti's 1957 Harley-Davidson FLH

This one's different. Instead of a model, we asked Tyler Golletti to review his own bike. His actual Panhead, the one he's been riding, wrenching on and occasionally bathing in oil for the better part of a decade.

I figured nobody knows a 70-year-old Harley better than the guy keeping one alive, so I mostly got out of the way. The rest is in his words.

The Numbers...

• 1957 Harley-Davidson FLH, bought used

• 1200cc, 60 hp, 65 lb-ft of torque

• Owned roughly 7 to 8 years, over 12,000 miles

• Modifications: "This bike has been heavily cosmetically altered and considered a rat bike."

Why this one... "I wanted to break into riding antique motorcycles, and Panheads are a great intro for a vintage Harley enthusiast. The FLH is a higher power model Panhead engine compared to the FL model."

What it is... "It's like riding a tractor with no suspension. It's loud, dirty and fun! It cruises great on flat or minimal winding roads and accelerates well on flats and up hills."

What it isn't... "Not so great in the braking department with the manual drum brakes, and fast cornering can be a challenge."

Who it's for... "If you want to ride an affordable, reliable rigid Harley-Davidson that makes reasonable power and is comfortable and rider friendly, then the Panhead is a bike for you."

Who it's not for... Anyone who wants to keep their hands clean. "Be prepared to get dirty and learn to do maintenance. These bikes sometimes require roadside fixes or adjustments."

Living with it... "It's been a great learning experience and tons of fun. I have found the Panhead to be a very reliable engine type, requiring little maintenance compared to other types of early Harley engines. Maintenance on a good running Panhead should be as simple as fluids, checking hardware for loose items and brake adjustments on regular intervals."

(That's a shorter list than most modern bikes ask for.)

How it got its name... "I was riding this bike in Florida one day when the oil tank ruptured, causing a drastic oil leak. I had to stop frequently to add oil just to make it back to where I was staying. The bike and me were covered in oil, and the bike gained its name that day: Exxon Valdez."

The verdict: 8.5 out of 10. "For an antique motorcycle it's fairly versatile, easy to maneuver and basic to maintain. Although it could use a bit more power at times and have a little better braking."

Would he recommend it? "Absolutely. Be prepared to have fun and forever wanting to be on the road on a Panhead motorcycle. Great all around bike."