The Pig and the Curmudgeon

Came to this board so enthused. Had just bought my first Valkyrie, a black 97 with Cobra sixes and 64k miles. Had some old gas issues with the bike. Used Berrymans almost half a can. I'd use less and be patient and just keep draining the bowls. It's not about degumming. That's easy. It's about the debris that shakes loose. You don't want to shake it all out at once. Shake and drain. I'd go one can of Berrymans in 10 tankfulls next time.
I was instantly hooked on my first gen valk. Then another one came up for sale an hour away for only $2k obo. Ugly bike. Looked like a pig with wheels and a batwing. Hadn't been washed possibly ever. When I started it, I knew I wanted it. But gas was pouring out onto the floor. Cracked fuel line coming off the petcock. The owner and I agreed on $1800 and he'd fix it so I could ride it home.
Long story. 87 year old guy. Fought with the bike. It died while he test rode it after pulling the airbox for the second time. Said he pushed it 5 feet and said that's enough.
He called me. I wanted out. He wouldn't let me. You own it he said. That's not the deal we had man! I was supposed to ride it home. So you're gonna make me learn this lesson the hard way? I said that to him 3 times. Thinking this guy is a curmudgeon! He offered me some money back. Said for me to come up with a number. Called him next day. $800. He was happy. I was too.
Had to pay $275 to ship it an hour. Couldn't believe it. Learned it's best to buy and ship bikes out of season. Way cheaper all the way around. So, I'm in it about $1300.
Old man pulled the right side fuel line coming off the T. It hides under stuff. Found it cause when running the bike on a fuel bottle, it poured all over the place. Buttoned it up.
This is the best running motorcycle I have ever owned. It runs and feels like a brand new motorcycle. The old man that sold it to me is now a friend. We get along really great and love talking to each other.
Biggest don't judge a book by its cover lesson of my life. The first valk i bought is pretty. Pretty and so tired compared to my like new pig.