OK C&V pros, I have a question for ya...

I'm restoring a very, very nice 1979 Mercian for a friend. It's immaculate. It's a thing of beauty. Not NOS, but close. I'm sorry I don't have a nice pic of it to share. I began work and forgot to snap right and left-side pics beforehand. I will be sure to provide post-restoration pics later.

I am not a seasoned vintage bicycle restorer. But I am a seasoned wrench who began making a mess of things in about 1975 when the ball bearings from my coaster brake hub fell out and disappeared all over the garage floor! I've improved my "game" since then and spent 45 years in and out of the bike biz selling, wrenching, shilling, training and having fun.

This bike has been such a dream to work on. I can't get enough of it!

(God I love Superbe rear derailleurs! Especially those with the open cages.)

Anyway, I'm conducting a complete overhaul of the bike. I'll strip it to an almost bare frame to clean it fully and give it the love it needs. I plan to wax the paint, unless this is a big no-no. I will also treat the insides of the tubes with JP Wiegle and/or Fluid Film. The owner plans to ride it. He's a very avid cyclist who climbed The Stelvio last fall. I expect to see him climb. Mt. Hamilton next time the Eroica group goes up.

The BB is in excellent shape with no damage. But my question is this: should I face the BB shell? It appears unfaced, as a friend noticed the faces lacks witness marks all the way around from the cups (damn good eye; he's a long time wrench and engineer, so he's on point). He says face it. I agree. I do like a "pretty face!"



BUT, this will affect the bike's condition and change it. So before committing a C&V faux pas, I figured I'd ask the veterans here.

What say you? TIA for any advice.

Oh and if anyone has any other "restoration" suggestions, I'm all ears.

Many thanks!