Geezerwheels, in my experience Bike Forums members tend to be rabidly anti-restoration, to the extent that they'll spend multiple pages yelling about destroying the "value" of a rusty Nishiki from 1987. So I'd take some of what you might see on your thread with a grain of salt.

My personal opinion (which, on this topic more than most, is worth exactly what you paid for it) is that it's your bike and if you'll get more satisfaction from riding it restored then you should do it - and if you won't, then don't.

If you're worried solely about resale value, then restoration almost never makes sense because even if it increases the resale value it almost certainly won't increase more than the amount you paid for the restoration.

Beyond that, a single caveat: mediocre restorations are never worth it, IMO. If the bike is to be just a "user" and you're worried about rust, then just powdercoat it. But if you want the bike to be nice; something you really enjoy, then you need to find a reputable specialist and pay him what he asks. Otherwise you'll be forever dissatisfied with your could-woulda-shoulda.