Hello and welcome to the listing for my 1954 FL 74" Panhead bobber/chopper named "Ginger".
Ginger is an ex-Bandito bike from Texas that carries a 1977 Texas frame stamp and was assembled and titled in that year. I purchased Ginger in 1992 and have had her sympathetically restored over the intervening 24 years. The electrical wiring was the first element redone in 1993 and the engine rebuilt in 2008 when the jugs were bored out and the original 1948 "plumbing style" heads were rebuilt using new valve seats to accommodate unleaded gas. At the same time I installed new tanks that were freshly painted and with the 1940's style emblems installed. In 2010, I moved her into storage when I moved to storage where she has been attached to a battery tender and subsequently ridden very rarely due to an ACL rebuild on my knee that makes starting her difficult given the compression from the rebuild. In other words, Ginger needs a younger owner who has all their original parts to start and enjoy this amazing statement bike as it should be. She is very much a 1-3 jump start bike that rides low, loud and fast. The bulk of the photos included were taken in 2010 and during storage there has been some gas seepage that has stained the paint on the low side when on her stand. Outside of that all the work I have done has the appropriate patina for her age. The only contemporary style part is an Arlen Ness headlight on a custom made (unchromed) bracket. The tires have some cracking from age but hold air and are serviceable. I have had the original Brooks-style seat recovered with fresh vinyl to repair a rip. As typical with this kind of purchase, Ginger comes with many parts including two extra carbs, an unused sissy bar, two sets of tanks with mounts in various states of repair, custom built axles to accommodate the 19" wheels on an original 1948 style springer forks, and many other period correct odds and ends to keep her in the state of her original build. Last Thursday, I noticed that my battery charger (set to trickle to charge) was turning on and off. I will investigate whether a new battery is necessary and if so it will be purchased to replace the current battery.
Why buy a replica of an outlaw biker machine when you can have an original for the same amount of money and impress EVERY other Harley owner in the process?
Happy shopping. I am happy to answer questions, and help arrange shipping for the lucky new owner.
I am also happy to entertain all inspections but not joyrides, sorry. While she is my "Ginger", I am the sole rider as I have been for 24 years. The next rider will be the next owner, and only the next owner but I can give you the ride of your life if you wish!
I previously have had inquiries about the level of original character I have tried to maintain over the last 24 years. When the top end was rebuilt, the mechanic took the liberty of sandblasting and painting the jugs thereby removing years of oil and age. I nearly cried. But when I got it home, I remembered that I had kept the oil from my first oil change which was full of dirt because the bike had been neglected for so long. I have considered using a sprayer to spray the oil on those relatively newly painted cylinders to restore the original look. When I decided that I might consider a sale, I gave up the idea. I still have that oil if the new owner would like to restore the patina lost by the actions of a well-intentioned mechanic.
