To Restore or Not?

[moon wolf]

First, the wording in the poll indicates an extreme bias against restored bikes, but the more important point is that you're arguing apples and oranges. Most of us would love to have an original paint, but by definition there aren't many of them (disregarding the burgeoning number of counterfeits), certainly not enough for all lovers of antique bikes to possess one.

[sludge]

whether restored or original the one thing a bike should never see from that point on is soap and water....i love the grease, oil, and gas stains etc. BTW i like original paint if there is enough of it left, i really like looking at the old striping on original paint bikes.

[Pete Gagan]

Original paint, or rust?

Personally, my definition of a good machine is that it should look as much like a well maintained and cared for example would have looked like when it was on the road, no more, and no less. That means overly shiny is out, and so are a lot of those "barn finds" unless they are exceptional. (If they were still in the condition they were when they went into the barn, that would be better)
If an original machine is a bit past it, it should be well photographed before and during the restoration, so the history is preserved and not lost.
That being said, I do have one original peice which I will never touch, (other than to drive it) It's a car- a 1950 XK-120 Jaguar roadster that has never been driven in the winter or in the rain. Original paint, top, tonneau cover, sidecurtains, etc., all as new. That's what I call original and untouchable. If half the paint was missing it would be restored.
Just one man's opinion.
Pete Gagan

[indianut]

I have a 1965 BMW R50/2 that I bought from the original owner 18 years ago. My wife and I ride it once every couple of years to a BMW Rally about 350 miles from here. I paid $180 for it and it even has a VDO mechanical driven tach on it that I have been offered a LOT of money for. It is 100% original down to the paint and the Period Craven Panniers! I put a Sportster windshield and a Solo seat on it, but still have the Original seat and Period Windshield. The problem is that the paint is in poor condition with a lot of surface rust. It has gotten worse since this picture was taken about 10 years ago. It has only 20,000 miles on it. I used to think that when I get old I would restore it, but lately I have started thinking that it would be a mistake. Even with the poor cosmetic condition. What do ya'll think?

[cheifrider]

sell it and buy an indian!

[indianut]

Believe it or not I have TOO MANY Indians already!

[Chris Haynes]

Believe it or not I have TOO MANY Indians already!

I know people with one that make that statement.

[DaveSwanson]

whether restored or original the one thing a bike should never see from that point on is soap and water....i love the grease, oil, and gas stains etc. BTW i like original paint if there is enough of it left, i really like looking at the old striping on original paint bikes.

When I bought my true barn (garage) find 56 FLH it had 50 years of oil and gravel dust caked on all the usual places. It was petrified to the extent that the tranny could not be moved to adjust the primary chain. I had no issue with returning the bike to what a well maintained and lubed bike should be. I went through pains to not disturb the patina of time, but the grunge had to go!

[Joe G]

Everyone loves an original "barn find". Notice what gets the looks at a bike gathering, its the ones with the character.

An unrestored bike is like the old timer that can tell stories all day long. Stories of adventure, misadventure, triumph and tragedy. A restored bike is like an old timer who got tons of plastic surgery, died his hair, dressed to the nines and has complete amnesia.

Okay the comparison may be a bit over the top but that's how I see it.

Joe