Originally Posted by
KonAaron Snake
I guess I'm weird; it depends on the bike. The stuff I most enjoy riding is typically more modern and I use what I like. The show pieces...I range depending on the bike. I am a good enough is good enough kinda guy...and if getting that last bolt means dealing with PBbikes, I'll do without.
I based this (blatantly stole) from one pogue developed.
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6. Same as above, except repaint must be done by a person who has done 10 or more restorations. Allowed to see rain, but no salty roads. Bicycle should be gazed at fondly. Nothing worse than shoot or dang.
7. Repaints/restorations must be done by a professional. Hot rodding still permitted unless bike has 100% of date correct parts intact and in good original condition. Can still be ridden with modern clothes and lighting. Not allowed to ride if rain is 50% or more probably - unless you have fenders. Fenders still permitted to be after market. Must speak to bicycle as if it were a person.
8. Restorations only to be done by top pros. Restoration only permitted when threat of rust is significant. No cold setting. No hot rodding. Must use parts that look date correct to casual glance. May ride through puddles when needed, but care taken to use other bikes with chance of rain. May retrofit an old light with LEDs. Must use tubulars if spec'd tubular (or reasonably expected to be tubular). Duty bound to find "correct" parts when reasonably priced. Must lovingly caress bicycle before leaving house.
9. Every part should be correct, date specific and replacement bits must be as close to original as heroic effort produces. If part only available from absurd eBay sellers, plan heist. No killing allowed for bike parts. All consumables should be as close to original as heroic effort makes possible, including tires and tape. Bike must be re-greased, cleaned, waxed and fetishized at least annually. Storage space must have dehumidifier. Mood lighting should follow bike at all times...hire crew as needed! Must use Charleston Heston voice and/or Shakespearean dialogue when near bike.
10. Must be willing to commit mass murder for a barrel adjuster. If original screw is not available, must build time machine to acquire screw. All viewers must undergo decontamination and quarantine procedure prior to viewing. Must hire virgin to throw rose petals at front tire when ridden. Don't taunt bicycle, EVER. Must be kept in room where you sleep. Animals required to be sacrificed to bicycle weekly. Restoration only permitted to be performed within 10 miles of bike's birth and by original painter, or those descended thereby. If not possible, see time machine requirement. May not utter the word Shimano within 10 miles of bicycle. May only speak in Latin, Aramaic or Hebrew near bike.
I really like this scale. I stick to the 7 or 9 level of OCD for most of my bikes. To be honest, the bikes that I use most and enjoy the most are "7's" and moving a bike into the 8, 9 or 10 range reduces the pleasure and utility.
My Motobecane Grand Record is the only "9" or "10" bike that I own that is all original, including the chain and tires. Only the bar wrap, done by the prior owner, is not showroom. I'm searching for the perfect replacement as we speak (not).
OCD types imagine that the current owner removed the rare and scarce French or Italian components and put them in the trash. My "7" bikes were purchased as incomplete bikes that were neglected but not abused. The PX10 came without several important items, including the wheels and derailleurs. Most PX10 bikes have either the derailleurs or shifters replaced with something made of metal. The Simoncini and Serotta were purchased as a frame & fork. Both the Simoncini and Serotta were probably built with Japanese components in the first place.
1971 PX10 includes a professional repaint and personally hot-rodded by myself. Few people in the real world will notice the granny gear on the crank, clincher tires on modern retro look rims, Dura Ace band on shifters and a Suntour front derailleur. The rear triangle has been professionally reset for a 126mm wide Campagnolo hub and that wears a 6 speed freewheel. MAFAC Professional centerpulls arrived with the bike, so why replace them with inferior Racers? It keeps OCD PX10 fanatics tossing and turning at night.
This 1995-ish Simoncini Cyclocross bike probably was first built with brifters and a 8 speed cassette, but I built it up to look older with bar-end shifters. The triple crankset with 48, 36 and 26 chainrings provides a perfect range with the 13-24 seven speed freewheel.
This 1986 Serotta Nova Special X has been discreetly hot rodded, but even experts can't see most of the upgrades from stock. The bike probably was first built with a 2x6 drivetrain and friction shifters. It now features 24 speed (3x8) with indexed downtube shifters. The bike and gear range has helped me complete the 150 KM Dairyland Dare with 9000 ft of climbing. It's only limited by the motor. Most people who would never put a triple on a road bike have never completed a hilly century.
This 1978ish Mixte for my daughter has a 2015 brakes, shifters and deraillers. The original 2x6 city gearing has been replaced with a 3x7 touring range. It's a Hot Rod with style and it could be ridden across the United States in comfort with excellent reliability.
