Maybe he was just trying to do something outside the box. I've only been on this forum for a couple of years but I've seen pictures of other bikes where everything was painted and it didn't look like anything was taken off them either. But to each his own. I guess that we are all human and the best thing is that if you are not sure what people are going to say about a project that you are working on then don't put it on public display. I have a 1967 Raleigh Sport that I am redoing and I've heard some say to leave it the way it is with the rust spots and others say to repaint it so I guess it is best to do it the way I want to and just enjoy it myself or face a lot of unneeded criticism.