There are rules, and good luck to those obsessed with building up their museum pieces. I mean that, because "what price art" is a value that should be held by someone, somewhere.

But for the rest of us, life is too short. I have a frame on order from Colossi, the finest Italian builder in China. Gonna have mostly Japanese components because that's what generally resembles vintage, that is actually available for purchase. Compromise and be happy -- know what I mean?

During yesterday's ride I met an older guy, getting ready to head out on his vintage Trek 760. He unloaded it from his car trunk, not bothering with a rack. I have a 360 from about the same year, so the bike caught my eye. Also caught my eye because it had no bar tape, lever hoods mostly destroyed, scratched to hell frame, duct tape holding the saddle together, etc etc. But the stock Campy groupset was working perfectly well enough, it was a fine day to ride, and the dude's stoke was infectious. We talked for a minute about vintage and he listed some of his collection. 2 Paramounts, a Raleigh track, DeRosa, Mercx, etc. Stuff he acquired over a lifetime of hard riding, stuff which over time comes to reflect the true meaning of wabi/sabi, or "beausage" as Mr. Peterson calls it. Ready to ride, the dude shut his car trunk and clipped in. With a hearty laugh he took off into the headwind, tearing up the ramp onto the trail.

Maybe tomorrow I'll ride my 360.

Moral of the story: money doesn't buy authenticity, rules notwithstanding.