To Clean or Not To Clean - That is the Question

[KNUCK]

Yes those are NOS Goodyear tires.

[KNUCK]

I would give it a bath and ride. Have seen a few original paint bikes that get a little too much polish on the paint and it just looks wrong. My OP 1965 Pan is dirt free but ridden.

[joe fxs fxr]

while it's easy to say 'your bike your call' the OP was just looking for pros and cons so he can make an informed decision. it's only original dirt once. lol

[clae]

very nice bike

[gitguy]

Personally, I would not even had asked what I should do with my bike. You own it do as you see fit.

Absolutely agree! Your bike, your call.

Nice scooter. Enjoy.

[PaulCDF]

THAT is the perfect term of art:
"CANNED PATINA"!!!!!!

[T. Cotten]

...save the dirt and post on Ebay as "vintage bike make-up"....

Canned Patina, Paul?

I've been using it for years!

(The "no rub" formula.)

....Cotten

[PaulCDF]

NICE Bike
I agree; clean it as Smitty stated "get to see the physical condition of everything on the bike. Perhaps avoiding a potential problem"
Consider: Clean it save the dirt and post on Ebay as "vintage bike make-up" Hey there could be a rare horse fly squashed in there.

[T. Cotten]

Touche (with an accent mark that I don't know how to add)

Press alt while keying 130 on the numbers pad, Smitty!

Or just cut'n'paste this é.

I like my dust and dirt stratified.

(If you saw my shop, you'd understand.)

.....Cotten

[HDSmitty]

Touche (with an accent mark that I don't know how to add)

[BNSONS]

Personally, I would not even had asked what I should do with my bike. You own it do as you see fit.

[HDSmitty]

I would clean it if for no other reason than you will then get to see the physical condition of everything on the bike. Perhaps avoiding a potential problem before it becomes one. You can always let it get dirty again. JMHO.........Smitty

[T. Cotten]

Ugh I wonder what a knucklehead is called that never gets washed? Jerry

A 'secret in the back of the barn', Jerry!

You knew that.

.....Cotten

[Jerry Wieland]

If you don't clean it, Skirted,..

Then its a NeglectaGlide.

....Cotten

Ugh I wonder what a knucklehead is called that never gets washed? Jerry

[Architect]

Well being that I have both kinds of vintage bikes, chrome and clean and crusty and dirty, I will tell you crusty and dirty is quite liberating!!!! You immediately realize rain, puddles, and all the other stuff that makes us crazy is no longer a concern. I was out with a couple of friends last summer out east, out of nowhere it starts pouring rain while we are stopped for lunch. I couldn't care less as it was only a passing storm. After lunch, I dried off the seat and we pulled out. Spent the next 20 miles riding through puddles being a d**k splashing my friends!!! Very liberating.