To restore, or not to restore...... That is the question

[Eomund]

So I'm curious what you all think about restoration of a bike. Would you restore or leave the original petina?

I'm not one that would add petina to a bike. I think that's a bit silly (my cousins did this). But the reason I'm so torn is all the paint work, everything is original. Paint, chrome work, everything.
I can make the bike look like new for really almost no cost. But at the same time.... original.

Thoughts?

[Guesi]

My thoughts:

We have lived our life and you see that in our faces.

The same did our bikes. And I think you should also see that.
So I prefer patina, as long as it is possible. If there is no paint at all left, then there is no chance for patina. But as long as you can keep it original, do it...

[Blurredman]

From what i've seen of your bike, it looks very good as it is.

The reality is, today it'll all get a new paint job, and tomorrow stone chips will occur.. The only way to keep something new and shining is in the garage 365 days a year. And you can't even look at it, otherwise you'll scratch it!


I'd leave it myself. Looks lovely.

You can however.. Polish it and polish whatever chrome.. A little bit of that kind of work can destinguish between what you might see as a delapidated bike, and others might see as a prestine original example... It's 45 years old.. It doesn't have a lot of history it seems with that mileage.. But.. It's seen something at least..

[Puffs]

I'm with Guesi & Blurredman here.

From what I remember having seen on your pics, there is very little, if anything, that requires more than just cleaning. Patina, as you say. If it would have been used on salty roads and the exhaust has corrosion/holes, for instance, then you replace something like that. Didn't see anything like that.

When you age, your hair turns grey. You can colour that to make people think you're younger than you really are. It is possible, it's a choice.

[Eomund]

You guys have convinced me. What I'll do is get a custom bottle of touch up paint to gix a few spots where there is metal showing. Mostly to prevent rust. But ya. She's in too good of shape to make her over. We will see in a few years after I rider her a whole lot. And I plan on it. Something that shocks people still. I put 20 thousand miles on a vespa in a year. I love to ride.

[Blurredman]

You guys have convinced me. What I'll do is get a custom bottle of touch up paint to gix a few spots where there is metal showing. Mostly to prevent rust. But ya. She's in too good of shape to make her over. We will see in a few years after I rider her a whole lot. And I plan on it. Something that shocks people still. I put 20 thousand miles on a vespa in a year. I love to ride.

Do you ride anywhere specifically? Be careful - your bikes may end up looking like mine...

I am very much known not to look after my bikes if it doesn't concern safety..

[DAVID THOMPSON]

make it nice.. but do not over do it

and display it at car and bike shows
in the USA very few people know what they are !
and unlike a lot of bikes there age you can find repair parts

your showing it may get an other taken out of storage and made to run

[Eomund]

I will show it at local shows. Nothing too extravagant. But she will be on the road. Not garaged.