This topic hits close to home for me. I used to be a hobbyist, restoring 50's and early 60's era British sports cars once upon a time, and back when I hadn't been priced out the market (different story.) Lightweight bicycles ultimately replaced that weird need I have to preserve and use something beautiful from the past. My greatest fear has always been "that first scratch," let alone a crash that humbles or incapacitates the bike (or car.) I recall leaning my mint condition, never restored but nevertheless perfect condition Paramount against a brick wall once. To my absolute horror, the bike rolled and left a small scratch in the otherwise perfectly preserved top tube. Although I spent a lot of time mending that error and I would bet no one would ever easily locate that scratch, my eyes zero in on the spot every single time I ride it. Call it OCD, if you will. The thing is that I've only seriously crashed once in my 57 years (not on one of my restos, thank goodness!), and - fingers crossed - that will be the extent of it. My riding is leisurely and probably overly cautious, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that that abundance of caution isn't as much about the bike as it is my own safety and goodwill. Is that messed up priorities, or what???

So, I'm counting myself lucky for not having experienced a "beautiful disaster," I can absolutely understand why such an event might occupy one's thoughts!