Originally Posted by
tjspiel
I appreciate and understand your viewpoint.
For me it's all theoretical anyway since I probably wouldn't buy a bike like that (not that it doesn't appeal to me). But if I were to, I might buy it for its potential rather than its current state. Buying one in better condition may not be an option because it would likely cost more money.
It gets back to what I like about old stuff. I live in an old house too. I'm not going to put vinyl siding on it, but I did replace the old galvanized pipe with copper, and of course I paint it as I see fit. I enjoy the restoration part of it, of making the old functional again. I also want it to look good. That doesn't mean I rip out anything that has a cosmetic flaw and I'm not after perfection.
I know a guy who basically tore apart his whole house. Ripped off the plaster, threw out all the old moldings, etc. Not for me.
As I said, you can see from the replies so far, I tend to be the exception. I also agree again with Zorro, if some one in the past repainted the original, it is fair game.
I also don't mind if you alter the original to fix a functional flaw (ie, new top tube because the original cracked). It is a utilitarian object, once again, it is not art.
I understand potential when it is cleaning the bike and doing the necessary maintenance to make a smooth ride. I even understand upgrades as long as they can be reversed. What I don't get is wanting to change the original. If you don't like it in the first place, have the patience to wait for something you do want instead of ruining it for some one else. Chips, scratches and dings are inevitable, and all old bikes will have them, I don't understand why that is a bad thing.
I'll write it one more time, it is original only once.