My 1980/81 Made in Japan Raleigh Competition GS has a pretty nice original paint job, but it looks as though someone polished off the original decals. Oh, they are still there but they are so faded that you really have to look to see them.
I want to replace them, but no one seems to sell the decals for this era. I like the earlier decals, but of course they are not only the wrong decals, but they say "Made in England" in numerous places.
My dilemma, put on the wrong decals and be very happy with the looks, or keep it the way it is, a kinda generic looking plain black bike, but authentic.
Sooner or later I will sell it, (everythings for sale!), and then the "Made in England" decals could cause confusion and maybe accusations of fraud! I certainly would disclose it's true heritage, but it still looks weird!
Opinions?

Could you remove the references to England from the new decals?

I think it's okay to put the wrong decals on it, especially if you remove the 'Made in England' part. Wouldn't bother me at all.

+1 Use whatever style of decals you want, but keep it honest.

So, old-fashioned Raleigh decals with the "Made in England" removed would be fair game, IMO.

At this point you're interpreting rather than restoring, but not everything in the world needs to be restored.

As long as you aren't trying to misrepresent the bike as something it isn't, then I don't see anything wrong with using older style decals. I would cut out the "Made in England" or add "NOT" in front of it, or put "Japan" over the England. Some one made up some "Guaranteed NOT made with 531 tubing" decals that looked like the real ones. They would complete the package.

+1 Just remove England from the decals. If you leave it on there, despite you telling the next owner, someone on the flip chain is likely to neglect to pass on that info. I would not want to assist them in that process, even if I was crystal clear in my sale. I probably worry too much....