We're always debating about the importance of preserving our vintage bikes, and whether we should keep them as original as possible or make modifications. We present the pros and cons, especially when considering to paint or not. Generally this is one of those debates where we never change each other's minds.

My position usually is that unless the bike has some sort of real history, then why not enjoy the bike and "make it your own." If the bike has history, i.e. was ridden in the Olympics, TdF, or in some other professional capacity, well then there would be good grounds to preserve the bike "as is," and I would also argue that it should be only ridden occasionally.

Well, low and behold, look what's on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1962-SCHWINN-PAR...QQcmdZViewItem

It's a '62 Paramount ridden in the 1964 Olympics, offered by the very person who rode it in Toyko. But is it original? Far from it. It's been repainted and has the wrong decals. The saddle is not orginal. Neither is the crankset (look at the 144 BCD rings, they should be 151 BCD).

I know this won't settle the debate, "Original verses Restoration," but it does add a new twist on the argument.