36Oly_Rider

Thats a good one, haha!

What makes a bike a "Grail" bike? Rarity? Sought out by many? Is there a Knight guarding it? Hmmm, might have to go on an adventure to find it...

I can see your point if the bicycle was hand built or of a certain pedigree like the old Colnago's, Bianchi's, etc. I probably wouldn't want to restore it unless it was severely damaged, rusted through or whatnot. I don't see how a bike that came with super shiny paint and decals would be and insult to the people who built it if one were to repaint the frame back to it's original state. It sat for a long time, and is going to find a new lease on its life. Fresh paint, new decals, original parts (except saddle, tires, and chain). I just think the hard part will be finding a local shop willing to paint it...

Centaurious

When the Patina gets to the point it makes the bike un-ridable I start adding zeros to the end of it's price. If it has that much Patina it becomes an Art Object and Art is Expensive.

nlerner

This was a bit too much:

uncle uncle

The problem with "patina" and most words in active use, is that they get re-purposed in usages where they were never applied before. Historically, patina was first used to describe the oxidation layer that formed on copper and bronze materials that were exposed to the elements. I think most C&V'ers re-purposed the word to cover any aging to the surfaces of a bike, whether the aging is some form of oxidation, or sun exposure, or wear, or even abuse. I prefer the word "sabi" which is Japanese in origin. Again, sabi has been used and re-purposed, and maybe I don't use it in it's purest sense, but sabi describes a beauty aesthetic obtained from HONEST wear, the normal aging process, and unpretentiousness. To refinish something risks removing the sabi, aka, the beauty inherent within in it's honest wear, honest aging, and the humbleness inherent it's proof of being an object of the everyday. If an object, say a bike, has lost these for you, say because of the scars of abuse from uncaring hands or use, then refinishing should be considered. I personally think most of us gather a few scars in our aging process, self inflicted or otherwise, and that they often play a part in our life story, so I can even accept them (for the most part). Plus, chicks dig them.

36Oly_Rider

Beautifully said... I like it...

repechage

I have a bike that is like the Paramount shown by rhm, just add a few tubes to the same degree. I have been just looking at it, hoping Devine inspiration provides an answer.
I do know that once assembled, the problems will recede a small amount.
As far as patina, one problem is I ride my bikes, so they get serviced, that act disturbs "patina" often. I find rust bad, oxidized aluminum I am more tolerant of now. The days where I had time to polish my wheels once a week are gone.

Kactus

That is a good point that I hadn't thought of. How can one square the desire to leave patina untouched, with cleaning. Does polishing a frame to remove oxidized paint, minor scratches and dirt, washing away road grime and cleaning grease accumulation disturb patina? Or is that going too far and considered general maintenance?

I would guess that ALL of us disturb 'patina' to one extent or another. We just each have our own level of how much patina we will tolerate and how much change we will consider 'general maintenance'!

Fidbloke

I would suggest that if you can see a problem with your bike from more than 10 feet away, then it might be time to do something about it.


The occasional scuff or scrape that you can only see close up shouldn't be a problem. Just touch it in to stop it rusting and leave it...

Bicycle Addict

I don't repaint my bikes, to me it is character, scars, scrapes, sunburn etc, repainting to me personally is like a 50yr old man walking into a plastic surgeons office and saying, make me look like a newborn baby! Impractical and well . . .
I have had to make a goal to repaint or powdercoat 1 bike, and that will be sort of Frankenbike, 1998 Spesh Rock Hopper drop bar with Sora 3550 2 X 9, I feel ok about that as it will not be factory at all.
Just my 2cents.

horatio 

This aligns better with my notion of patina. Is there an Italian expression that would be equivalent?

rootboy 

Not sure of other languages, but I like the Japanese one too. Having spent some years in China, I like their term.
Pi Ker. (pee kur), which literally means "skin shell". Maybe a bit too literal, as many Chinese terms are when translated into Pin Yin. But I know it when I see it.

tiredhands 

I don't know about Italian, but I like to sound French when describing my bicycle's aesthetics. Urban Dictionary: Beausage

mstateglfr 

Its too much when it looks bad.

36Oly_Rider

Patina is the Italian word. Its meaning originally is "shallow dish". It is derived from the Latin word "paten" defined as "plate".

"Logorio" is the actual Italian word for "wear and tear", I guess...makes more sense to call it that than "patina" unless you actually refer to the oxidization of the metal or discoloration due to atmospheric degradation.

AZORCH

Too much patina:



Not bad at all:

Lazyass

Patina is just term to make a bike with damaged paint and decals seem hip. Something like SJX426's bike isn't too bad, but that's about the limit for me. Cracked decals, whole sections of paint peeled off, no way.

uncle uncle

I don't see the act of polishing an old bike to freshen and protect the finish as disturbing it's sabi... maintenance and care for your tools and belongings is an honest pursuit. Preventive maintenance and upkeep should be a part of the expected lifecycle of every cherished bicycle.