Preference: Original or Restored?

[Scrivens]

Because the only old bikes I'm likely to buy are British from the 50's and 60's, and the chances of finding one of those in any sort of rideable nick is about zero, I've been looking at ground up back-to-factory-spec restos. Metalwork and some mechanical parts can be very hard to get now, so a full resto has the benefit of being mechanically and electrically overhauled. At my current house I no longer have the luxury of a decent workshop to do my own rebuilds either. I ride my bikes a lot and I figure it may as well start out "as new" because after I've owned it for a few years it will have enough patina on it.

[El Desmo]

I like stuff that shows the test of time. They're only original once, and you can never go back.

[darmst6829]

[QUOTE=ricochetrider;20243538]If you were doing some serious shopping about for an older bike, would you rather buy a restored bike or one in original condition?

I would suggest that most of the old bikes have been gone through already so restoring them taint no big deal. Restorations always get the attention. Worn out bikes unless still owned by the perpetrator are just old and worn out.

Dave

[anotherguy]

Originally Posted by darmst6829

Restorations always get the attention. Worn out bikes unless still owned by the perpetrator are just old and worn out.

Dave

It's about the ride. Life isn't a fashion show nor do we ride for " the attention".

[lrutt]

Originally Posted by anotherguy

It's about the ride. Life isn't a fashion show nor do we ride for " the attention".

This is true. I get such a great amount of satisfaction when I pull one of the old bikes out for a ride and it starts on first or second kick and sits there at a nice tick over. IMO there's no replacing that pride of ownership and ability to make an old piece of iron perform like that.

[darmst6829]

Originally Posted by anotherguy

It's about the ride. Life isn't a fashion show nor do we ride for " the attention".

Given how much money it takes to restore a motorcycle I would assume its an endeavor designed to attract attention. This is a discussing on whether to restore an antique motorcycle or not? Hopefully no one is thinking of restoring a common garage sale find.

Dave

[anotherguy]

Well the first word in the title is preference so if you wanna look/be looked at go for it. Personally if I owned a priceless Britten it would see regular track use if not racing. Sure would hurt if I crashed it.

In case ya missed it this sums up my feeling on motorcycles regardless.

[83XLX]

For me, it depends on how junked-up and/or deteriorated the original is. Years ago, I bought an old Truimph that was junked-up and burning oil and returned it to near stock with some of the original parts I got the seller to throw into the deal, and other original parts I scrounged. It cleaned up pretty nicely, and was a cool bike after a top end job. If the paint had been terrible, though, I wouldn't have hesitated in having it repainted. I like my machines to look nice. They don't have to be showroom perfect, but I don't enjoy the ride as much if they look like crap. My latest bike is an Ironhead Sportster that was rusty, had been repainted, and had mismatched parts on it when I bought it. I've returned it to somewhat stock with the help of original parts from eBay. Not bike show correct, but a fun ride for sure.

[F_Sahms]

I almost always start with a box of rusty shite, well beyond patina. That's one way to avoid the question entirely.

But I hate hate hate when "restorers" go extra shiny, plate or polish parts that were never plated or polished, polish fasteners, etc.

[concours]

I don't at all care for the "rat bike" look that is everywhere because languishing old turds are being hacked up. Glad someone rides them. But... Some rattle can genius that watched too many reality shows painted the entire engine, and most everything else.



Can't replace this:




I feel the color/decal combination IDENTIFIES the bike as to what it was. I left the frame (washed off the rattle can graffiti) and everything else pretty much as found, just cleaned up. HAD to paint it though. Had it had faded original paint, I'd have left it as-is.



VERY careful to not overspend.... I chose to freshen up a VERY unpopular model, so, even on a big day, wouldn't fetch $1000. No money was spent on rechroming. The engine was verified to run well FIRST, before any effort was made to clean it up.

[concours]

This one I kept as found... even though the laquer applied 35 years ago is all cracked/dull



I DID, succumb to modern rubber, again totally reversible

[ttpete]

If the bike has a nice patina and hasn't been abused, I won't do more than the mechanicals. Once, I acquired a BSA Gold Star that had seen honest use. What really attracted me was that all of the fasteners were almost pristine. Obviously, it had either never been apart or if it had, whoever did it was a pro and had the correct tools. I knew the engine needed attention because I could hear a rod rattle. I pulled the powertrain out and went through everything, which included a crank rebuild and balance, valve service, a new piston and cylinder sleeve, and main bearings. Essentially, I zero timed the engine and trans and installed a belt drive primary and clutch.

Cosmetically, I just cleaned it up and polished the alloy tank and fenders. New wheel and head bearings and a set of tires, and it was ready. To me, it had more character by having a used but not abused look.

The Triumph TT was entirely different because it came in boxes and wasn't very nice. It received a full resto, except that I installed lights and horn just the same as many did in its day so I could use it on the street.

[hugemoth]

My most recent old bike is this 81 GL500 Interstate. It's one of those barn finds that judging by the tire codes has only been ridden about 1500 miles during the last 16 years. It needed quite a bit of mechanical work although the engine is in great shape with just 22K miles. The goal was to get it into mechanically near perfect shape, let it look it's age, and be used as everyday transportation. The fairing of course is not the original Hondaline but I always liked the Windjammer better anyway.

[FR700]

It's not allowed to leak oil , wiring has to be neat and work , mechanically it has to be good. Paint and chrome ... phffft ...




.

[stainlesscycle]

i used to spend a lot of time on cosmetics. now cosmetics mean almost nothing to me. optimum performance and reliability is #1. could care less what it looks like - but then again i'm only riding/racing offroad at this point. i haven't sent anything to paint or powdercoat in years. i did paint some fork lowers earlier this year, and have sprayed the occasional rattlecan as preventive maintenance - just been cleaning the dirt off, rebuild motor, suspension, bearings/seals, tires, etc. i do like a nice seat cover though....and a complete bike - missing sidecovers etc is a no no for me. i do try to match patina, and occasionally i may clean a part up, but nothing resembling showroom..