I'm 43 years old and when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s (in Canada) THE bike to have was a Pacer. The Pacer was tough as nails, came in several colors, with blue being the most popular and most common, and was fun to ride and customize. We used to cannibalize other bikes to extend the forks for that chopper look. High back sissy bars or replacing the 'nanner seat with a single. In essence we used to beat the crap out of these bikes and they could take it!

Yesterday while out for a run I happened to glimpse this being thrown out...I nearly tripped when I saw it was a Pacer and that it looked complete and intact...albeit showing a lot of patina (barn fresh)! I finished my run then jumped in the car and sped back to where it was still waiting on the side of the road. It is almost complete and stock with the exception of the missing pedals and front and rear reflectors. Even the tires look original. I had a grin a mile wide as I stuffed it into the trunk.

Now, the question is do I completely restore it (re-chrome, paint, decals, etc) or do I give it a sympathetic restoration and keep the patina. Opinions are welcome!

It's Canadian made and I haven't been able to find much on line.

I'd check the fork (looks bent from here) and then give it a "sympathetic restoration" by cleaning, polishing, and removing all rust. It's clearly a labor of love, but still not worth a full restoration IMHO. Is it too small for you to ride? In any case, have fun with it!