Hi Case,
Mine wasn't ugly after I finished customizing it (or is it costumizing?). Anyway, it was a retired police bike that I had been familiar with. I was in Fresno and called the owner in Nashville. He was anxious to sell and wanted $600 for it. I borrowed money from the credit union and flew to Nashville to buy it. I was shocked when I saw it. He had sold the front fender, rear half of rear fender, fatbob tank (replaced with a fiberglass sportser tank - 1.7gal).
I bought it anyway and headed west, stopping to refuel every 35-40 minutes. I-40 had blizzard conditions in OK & NM so I took the southern route - where it rained and stayed 32.5 degrees. It was a miserable trip, but I was riding so I was happy. I changed the handlebars in Dallas, and the guy at the chrome shop suggested a 2 gallon gas can attached to my new handlebars and he helped me rig up a tube so I could refuel in-flight. That helped, but it was still miserable and I added a little more danger to the trip with the metal gas can. Of course when I stopped to fill up, I'd only put 1.4 gallons in the gas can. I'd still run it over or spill some.
At least the guy I bought the bike from had added a smooth shifting 4 speed tranny.
Yes, my '62 pan was an ugly motorcycle for a while.
Ride Safe,
Dennis
