Panhead Billy

A legend ?...a hero? Not sure but I had the privilege of meeting Panhead Billy the other day at Wheel Works and in 15 minutes the guy blew my mind.I had seen this bike a few years or so ago at some swapmeet and noticed the finned Imperial cover and a killer old worn brown leather seat but never saw the guy on it or knew anything about it.I was getting some tires mounted and Billy rolls up on his Panhead & after a short introduction we start talking about his life,Born Free and motorcycles.He has been on the road for over twenty five years...yes 25 years.He was a soft spoken and very intelligent guy.He told me he has been to every state multiple times,on every famous road,highway or trail in the US.He has followed history around on a Panhead for the last 25 years and it never lets him down.He has been to every Harley dealership,bike show,campout and run known to man. He fills up his tanks with over 800 gallons of gas a year and has the receipts to prove it.He is definitely a legend, a fascinating person and a guy living his dream. He is on his way back to the east coast so if you see him out on the road somewhere you will be seeing someone very special..We talked for a while and I could have listened to him for hours.He said next year he will be at Born Free ...we would be honored.