SloganVZ

Ok C&Vers I am at a crossroads. I own a late 80's early 90's Zunow Z-1. I've had it probably 5 years and it has sat unridden for probably 3 years. I keep telling myself I am going to restore it and make it the magnificent steed it started life as. Unfortunately, that hasnt happened. I am newly married and now have 3 sons and dwindling free time. I fear I am turning into that guy that has an awesome collectible like a 63 Impala SS (guy across the street from me) and keeps telling himself he will restore it but never does. It ends up just rotting because he is in denial and is too blind to see he will never do anything with it.

I do not want to be that guy! I also don't want to be the guy that tells his kids about all the cool stuff he once had but sold it and now regrets it. Has anyone sold a rare-ish bike just come to regret it later?

I don't know what I am looking for. I guess I am just having an internal crisis about it. I see the bike everyday sitting in my carport and it just gets dustier and dustier. (Please don't crucify me.) Also this is my first C&V. (I posted originally when I got it.) I am naturally a runner and have never really been that big into biking. Especially because I am stuck in north texas. (AD military)

Thanks for the advice.

The Golden Boy 

Personally...

If you've daydreamed about the build- think of your components, acquire them either on a donor bike or once a pay period. Take it in to the shop and have them build it. You don't have to mess with it and it comes out golden.

Having a cool bike in riding shape can be inviting for riding.

Thumpic

Sorry, but this doesnt make sense to me. If the bike is complete, undamaged and been stored inside; then rebuild it. Unless it needs paint, frame repair or a new group; a weekend and less than $150 gets it done. If you still don't ride after that you, have added value and "curb appeal" to the bike. And having a bike ready to ride will get you out on the road!

David Newton

Come on, Cars rust out in the driveway.
Bikes just get dusty hanging on a hook in the attic/garage/shed.
Even if you never fix it, one day it will be your kid's treasure "dad's old bike".
Scratch all that if you have 20 bikes.

jimmuller 

Would your sons like riding with you? Do they have bikes of their own?

thinktubes 

It's a bike, not the Sistine Chapel. Probably 5-10 hours of work max. If you're not motivated to do this, sell and move on.

cb400bill

A bike this cool deserves to be ridden. If not by you, then by someone else.

rootboy 

Get it out of the carport if it's not too late. Got room for it indoors?

Dave Cutter

In my youth I used to plan a retirement in a sailboat.... lately I think more of a cabin built from shipping containers. Whether the boat or cabin they provide a fine place for my mind to wander to... a pleasant distraction... something/someplace to daydream about. I've never felt compelled to keep a "prop" like a car... or even an old bicycle. But I do understand how they can be useful tools for escapism.

Learn to just enjoy your thoughts of restoring and riding your old classic. Keep it safe, dry, and locked up. Someday... you will have the time and place to properly restore and ride your bicycle. Then.... you might want to think about making room for an old Impala.

Aemmer

If you need the money, sell it at your leisure. If you have the space and still some desire, hang on to it until the right time comes along.

mapleleafs-13 

sell it to me...

rhm

Tell your wife you are getting fat and your knees hurt. Would it be okay with her if you take an hour bike ride every morning before the kids get up, so you can get some exercise, rode your bike a bit.

Lascauxcaveman 

You don't have a problem. Sit on your Zunow as long as you want; it's not taking up that much space. Suck it up, dude.

Now tell me what to do with the 1966 Malibu convertible in my carport, partially disassembled? It was my almost daily driver from 1978 through 1992 but hasn't moved an inch in the last ten years. I keep thinking I could use that space to store more bikes...

balindamood

I agree.

Treat the frame with frame saver. Put it in a safe dry place, and forget about it until you have time. I have at least 12 projects waiting. Some take years; some take weeks depending upon parts and motivation.

At some point if you decide not to tackle it, or you finish it and you find you do not care for it, there is comfort that it will likely retain its value.

SJX426 

I bought a 1972 Motobecane Le Champion used in 1973. Rode it infrequently for a couple. Then it just hung in garages for 30 years. Finally dusted it off, cleaned it up and started riding. Discover a bunch of stuff out, like it was now vintage. It may turn out to be somewhat classic. The parts are anyway. I enjoyed it for a couple of years and was impressed with the paint, even with the patina. Despite running into a car that pulled in front of me and bent the frame, I still have it.
Hang on to it but take good care of it. Do what @rootboy suggested, take it out of the elements and store it inside something that is less subjected to the temperature and humidity extremes. You will know when you are ready to start riding or sell it. You may want to consider lubing it now. It might bring you to riding it but at least the lube will be fresher. Over lubricated parts are well protected from the ravages of time. Even a little WD-40 would help.

SloganVZ

Trade ya for it, straight up. (Lloyd Christmas voice)

SloganVZ

So I talked to the wife. We are going to make room for it inside and I'm going to clean it up. Treat the rust as best I can without making it worse or ruining the paint. I have Aldo decided to ride it in the hotter n hell 100 this year. Thanks everyone.

SJX426 

Good move! The WD-40 will slow the rust. You may want to do a search on OA or Oxalic Acid for rust removal should you decide to attack that issue (I would stop it now).

jimmuller 

That's a real switch. You're going from wanting to sell it because you don't ride any to this year riding a century named for it heat comparison. Ride on!

SloganVZ

Yeah the wife kinda straightened me out. Funny how that works.

Aemmer

1988 Ski Nautique

Lascauxcaveman 

PM me, maybe we can make a swap

qcpmsame 

Sounds like both the bicycle and your wife are keepers to me.

Bill