iab, that article is an excellent example of why I usually would recommend restoration or at least partial restoration. There is a huge difference between "patina" and damage, even if the damage is within the limits of what one might consider normal wear and tear. The Jag in that article is an historical oddity, maintained in its original condition and hardly used for many years. I met a guy that had a couple of vintage motorcycles in his living room (I'm guessing he was single but I didn't know him that well) that had never been ridden and another that had a Z-28 that had been preserved and placed in storage as soon as it was bought. I would not touch any of those vehicles but I also don't consider any of them "normal" in any way. "Normal" people buy vehicles to drive/ride and use them regularly be they cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or whatever. A fine piece of furniture or silver tea service can last for centuries of normal use and develope patina. Vehicles generally do not. They just wear out. Metals corrode, paint fades or flakes off, rubber becomes dry-rotted. So if the brake pads wear out I replace them. If the bearings in the hubs wear out I replace them. Why would I not also replace the decals or the paint, or the nickel/chrome when it wears out, assuming it's feasable to do so?