Originally Posted by
gtownviking
Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner. I was waiting for someone to bring the frame issue up. What all this boils down to is whether or not you consider the bike as a whole (frame fork and ALL components) or just the frame as the bike. Are you "conserving" the bike if you leave well enough alone on the frame but replace the parts as needed?
I think not. I think you have to consider the entire bike - the frame and its parts. This is where conserving and restoring can be difficult. Rubber parts rot and wear out and need to be replaced. The drive train wears out and needs replacement to maintain proper performance.
This is also why NOS parts can be expensive - they are increasingly rare and required to conserve/restore the bike. Chains, chainrings, tires, cables, even rims are a real pain, sometimes. I have been looking for a pair of rims for quite a while.
Did I mention the difficulty finding NOS riding gear like laced-leather shoes in size 48?