I figured my "best looking" comment might garner some alternate views.
Thanks for the help, everyone. With all your guidance I'm now more confident about making another go at this thing. I'll order some more gaskets - the ones from reband are partly, unevenly compressed - likely 3 per cylinder - and then give it another shot.
Heaven knows I've got some time before the riding season actually beings. We're up at 44 degrees today - about 7 centigrade for you non-imperialists - so I rode it home from the bike shop out of winter storage. Its supposed to be warm tomorrow, but then rain and more snow next week, so I've got some time to get the beast ready. I want all the salt off the roads before I really take her out. Its wonderful to start getting the family back together in the garage, however.
Cheers,
Peter