Well, then it's good I'm well below my 40s and not an old man, so I might still ride a big horse!
It's ok to build something to your own taste, as I said and even more did. For example this trials machine still in build, or my 650 Yamaha:
All I say is: Do it with respect! Keep the inheritant features, or if they don't fit you (for example in your case the Chief), use something that has them and leave it to someone who can appreciate it.
All I did to this bike can be reversed, no parts are lost and if someone doesn't like what I did, he can do something else. But senselessly destroying things without a bit of style or talent, is idiotic. Do what you can do and grow with your chalenges, but know, what you can do. The bike shown will never be able to be something else, but a drop in the steel forge.
On top, he build this machine out of hate to what it was, as he speaks. Nothing good ever came from hate. Same here.
That's my opinion. You don't have to share it.
Still, have a merry Christmas!
Andreas
P.S.: You couldn't pay me enough to sit on it, it's a privilege!