I searched and couldn't find this answered so... I just got a mid 80's Univega Nuovo Sport that is all original except for the bar tape. I am guessing it won't be collectable for a long time or ever so do you leave the dork disk, remove it or does it really matter?

I had the rear wheel off for cleaning so I figured now is the time to snap it off, or not. The bike is a tad big for me so it will go to someone else if that matters in the scheme of things.
Thanks

I usually toss it. I think bikes look better without it.

The only dork discs I like are the steel / chrome ones... especially when they have interesting patterns and script.

It really doesn't matter if you remove it or leave it. Really.

Since you're going to pass the bike on, it's probably better to leave it on. They do prevent accidents, you know. Sometimes I feel foolish for taking mine off, because I do have accidents from time to time.

you accidentally incorrectly adjust the rear derailleur?

That, or the derailleur gets banged in a self-closing door, bending the hanger. Or something. The fact is that accidents happen to everyone.

Take it off if you want. Put it back on later if you want.

I think they're ugly.

I'm too sexy for my dork disk.

If I am trying to keep the bike original and it is NOT a high-end go-fast bike (read Colnago/Steve Potts or equal), then I leave them, especially the metal ones.

I also keep them on 'statement' bikes, like my 'look what a dork I am' 1985 Schwinn Sierra with painted matching fenders, abnoxiously huge bell, and coffee holder, complete with a squeeky mattress seat.

Just a while ago, I attempted to clean off a smudge on a plastic dork disc and it shattered. So I continued until it disappeared. Yesterday, I took a spoke from a steel rear wheel and the dork disc was very tough to break. This one would need the removal of the freewheel\cassette.

I can't for the life of me manage to break mine off. Is there a trick or something?

You may need to bring the rear wheel into a local bike shop and have them remove the rear gears for you. Some shops will do it for free, others will charge $. It's the perfect time to replace any bent\missing spokes.

Now if you painted the dork disk to match then THAT would be a statement. Actually, that would actually be pretty cool in it's dorkish glory.

If you keep your rear derailleur properly adjusted and if you avoid abrupt across-several-cogs jumps into first gear, you do not need a pie plate. If you are trying to cram an ultra-6 freewheel onto a 120mm overlock axle or a 7-speed freewheel onto a 126mm axle, you do not want a pie plate.

I like them off so I can keep really scrub the spokes clean. They really do look so much nicer without them (unless they're shiny, clean and rust-free).

The thing is, if you're passing the bike on to a friend or another person, unless you trust them to keep the bike maintained (I don't trust anyone I pass bikes to to do proper maintenance), I think they should probably stay on; derailers that aren't cared for easily go out of alignment.

Or you know, if some kind of accident happens.

I was just reading another post about this and someone related their experience:
During a ride, they accidently tipped over or banged the rear wheel on something. Not hard, it caused no noticeable damage and the rider simply hopped back on and continued the ride. However the impact, while causing no immediately visible damage, was just enough to throw the RD out of alignment or whatever- while he was switching gears, the chain cameoff and mangled his wheel. Or something.

The plastic ones are kind of ugly, but they aren't useless.

Plus, it's a good look- dork disk, turkey levers, rubber foam grips. Oh yeah.

It's just standard protocol to pooh-pooh certain gear. Looking back, I see that the pie plate isn't useless, and foam grips weren't bad, either. We viewed them as bad because guys with expensive bikes didn't generally use them, but it doesn't mean they were bad.

Even the so-called safety levers don't seem as bad as we made them sound. I borrowed a friend's bike for a year. It had those levers. I used them. They were fine. I just never owned a bike with them.

I removed the disk. Fortunately the bike was well maintained and the freewheel came off easily. I just got a Shimano freewheel tool 2 weeks ago and it has come in handy. I has always had to cut them off in the past with wire cutters into little pieces.

I have a 7 speed laying around that I might swap on there for the old 6 speed.

I've never found the upside to foam grips. I can't stand em

Foam grips provide cushioning. Also, their wide diameter spreads the pressure out, reducing the overall pressure.

We sold a whole lot, under the name Grab Ons. We charged a hefty labor rate to put them on, too. They were wildly popular in 1978 and 1979.

I suppose you cant argue with sales figures...but there's no accounting for taste.

Not a great pic but it'll have to do. If I can get them to look like this then they stay on...if they're UVd out and brittle then I snap them off.

I have the high density closed cell foam grips on my '81 Lotus. Got them put on at time of purchase, still look brand new. More importantly to me is that it makes the bars fit more comfortably. I have massive hands, my motorcycle gloves are 4X & my thumb, index & middle finger are all pushing to bust thru them. A bar with just tape disappears in my hand. It would be like a pencil in a normal hand. Imagine leaning on a pencil for 100 miles. There was also a mushier low density grip that lasted about an hour before it started to wear away, it also compacted down to nothing in no time. I have no love for those.