Honestly... I just can't comprehend why it's such a problem. All he'll really be doing is just changing the rear wheel, either removing a chainring or switching cranks (and maybe the BB), and taking the derailleurs/shifters off. What's the big deal? He'll still have the original parts, and total time to change it back for any of us doing it would be like 3-4 hours. He's not repainting it, he's not grinding anything off, and no one else has to ride it. But it's being ridden.
Maybe I'm just tired of hearing people whine about these little things being travesties and sacrilege. Who knows.
-Gene-