63 BONNEVILLE

I picked up the pieces on the previous page for $250 bucks back in 92.This was my first ground up motorcycle.I was on a very tight budget as I was unemployed and a drunk.I quit buying magazines and did odd jobs(mostly housepainting) and saved enough to by a bolt-on hardtail and a Honda CB450 junker I found.Grand total $175-$150 for the hardtail and $25 for the CB450.

I spent the rest of the winter bashin the two bikes together.The Honda gave up it's front end,brakes,wheel and headlight,carbs and odds and ends.I made manifolds to adapt the CB carbs and the front "bolted" on with a little grinding in the bottom bearing race.

I got a job around this time and got to splurge a little.I picked up a used Harley 16" rim($25) and ordered some spokes($50) to lace it up to the triumph hub.I picked up the oil tank,gas tank,and seat with springs for $75 total.Paint is duplicolor spraypaint.

Comin together

9 months later she rolled outta the garage.I think the grand total came up to $1300 all together.Moral of the story...You can have a cool ride if you want it bad enough.Unemployment,addiction,3 kids aren't an excuse.By the way,It helped me get off the bottle too. GO FOR IT!!