fix and ride or restore

[Rubone]

David,
The fact of the matter is that it is YOUR bike. And it will be your money that goes into it. Last time I checked that means you only need to do what feels right for you and despite what others feel or say it comes down to what you want it to be. I say do what you like and enjoy your new toy!
Robbie

[flat-happy]

the only reason anyone here is trying to get you to put the brakes on a full restoration is we have all done that in the past any there is always at least one that we wish we had just "left alone" and we don't want you to make the same mistake we did. any one can restore a bike or pay someone else to but it can only be original once. i did that with of all things a very very nice 57 FLH 5795 panhead back in the mid 80"s. i was the second owner and the guy i bought it from bought it new in newport news virginia when he got out of the navy. it still had the original black paint on it but was worn through on the sides of the tanks so you could see the dark red primer underneath. i should have my ass kicked for restoring that bike and it still haunts me to this day but like they say --- it's your bike ----do it your way and have fun

[Paps]

What we are all trying to say is.... a restored bike is quite purty but a none restored bike is money in the bank. Over hauling the engine and transmission is neccessary at times but paint is paint. I know folks who would gladly trade a restored machine for such a bike.

[moon wolf]

I'm searching for a nice way to put this. How about it would be totally insane to paint that bike? Or this--painting that bike would be something you would regret the rest of your life. Or maybe, painting that bike would be a crime against nature.

Original paint bikes are incredibly rare and special, including bikes like yours that were often modified the day they came home from the shop and rode hard.

The paint looks great to me. The standards for an original paint job are different and take some getting used to. Factored in is the concept that paint is fifty years and still there.

Ever watch Antique Road show, where they look at a table from the 1700s and say, "It's worth about ten grand, but it would be worth twenty times that much if someone hadn't refinished it." Well, bikes aren't far behind, and not only that, but every time someone re-paints an original bike a fairy dies, for chrissakes.

[David R.]

Okay, I can live with the paint. I can also live with the pitted chrome. The rust on the frame bothers me. I am dead certain that leaving the wiring on this bike will lead only to frustration. Also the most of the bolts are rusting. Fortunately they are otherwise in good shape, not rounded off or stripped. I was planning to run them in a tumbler and re-plate them. What could be wrong with that? Thanx again, guys I do appreciate the input.

[Rooster]

Rewiring the bike won't hurt a thing-- after all, you gotta ride it...! If you can find a reproduction wiring harness, that would be the ticket.
The problem with re-plating certain parts of the bike and not the others, well--- you already know they will stick out like a sore thumb. I see there is a certain amount of rust on the frame, perhaps you can merely touch it up with a small brush and some modelers paint or automotive touch-up paint. You've probably seen it in the hardware stores.
A lot of the other parts can be cleaned up good and it might surprise you how much better they will look.
The more I look at your bike, the more it takes me back to 1971--- I had the exact same bike, with the exception that mine was a TT Special.

[David R.]

That's cool! Do you have any pictures? I strongly agree with the sticking out like a sore thumb point. That's what keeps taking me back around to restoration. It's far more important to me that the bike be A: ridable and reliable, and B: congruent. I hate a mix of shiny new parts juxtaposed with dingy old. I had an old BMW that I "fixed at" for a good while and was never happy with. It seemed like all or nothing. I finally got it to a pretty good point and sold it. I was fortunate to at least come out on the money I had spent. My time was another matter and I accept that fact with this bike also.

[Rooster]

I was only 19 when I had my Triumph, and for some reason, there are no photos of it that survived. I sure wish I had at least a one picture of that bike.
If you're going to ride the bike (of course you are!) then -- if it were me -- I would do whatever it needed mechanically, and not worry too much about a little surface rust here and there. It's not like it will turn to dust in a few months.

As a side note, I can tell you one of the problems I had with my '66. At some point, one of the links of the primary chain came loose and the pin started working it's way out --- to the inside. Eventually it found the windings of the stator, and knocked out the charging system. Had to replace the stator, then all was well again.
Another issue I had, seems like that motor consumed a lot of oil, so be sure to check your oil regularly. I accidentally ran mine low one time, things weren't good after that...!

[David R.]

The TT was the racing bike wasn't it? No lights. Was yours street legal?

[Paps]

Okay, I can live with the paint. I can also live with the pitted chrome. The rust on the frame bothers me. I am dead certain that leaving the wiring on this bike will lead only to frustration. Also the most of the bolts are rusting. Fortunately they are otherwise in good shape, not rounded off or stripped. I was planning to run them in a tumbler and re-plate them. What could be wrong with that? Thanx again, guys I do appreciate the input.

This is why I suggested finding oem parts which are in a bit better condition, yet they don't look brand new. As for the rust on the frame....use a stop rust chemical on the rust and lubricate it with a film of grease. Grease comes in many colors. Wax the pitted chrome areas.

[Rooster]

The TT was the racing bike wasn't it? No lights. Was yours street legal?

Yeah, it was flat-tracker. Dual Amal 29 carbs. Pipes swept under and tucked in close to the frame. Had what was called the "battery eliminator". It was street legal and had lights. Sumbitch really screamed! Looked like the one in this photo I found on the net. Mine was black.

[Chris Haynes]

If it is a T120R it was a street bike converted to racing. If it is a T120TT it was a racer.

[Rooster]

It was almost 40 years ago, I sure don't remember----!

[David R.]

Follow up

Okay, you guys win. I've been spending some time with the rubbing compound and have discovered that a little effort does reveal a soft and pleasing luster that is really growing on me. Even the nicks and character marks don't really detract. I do still plan to pull it down and go over everything. Re-wire, re-tire, etc. It is much easier to buff and polish while things are apart. I'll post some pics as things progress.

[Paps]

I am sure happy you had this change of heart David ! You do know NOS OEM wiring is still available, right ? You just need to be patient and wait while it comes up on places like ebay etc..