T1Callahan
Look Ma, No Hands!
I had this thought the other day and have been kicking it around in my head. Why does it seem that the philosophy behind car restorations is completely opposite to that of bicycles. I am not a car guy, but do enjoy watching the tv shows and been to a few car shows as well. I don’t recall any of the car tv shows except maybe American pickers that value patina, original paint or original leather, original tops or chrome that may show its age. They seem to only care that the frame and body isn’t rusted and engine is number matching . It seems like they go for a complete overhaul, and the most dramatic restoration possible. I’ve been to a few car shows and it seems every car is torn down to the frame and ever part is repainted, re chromed, and interiors gutted to be replaced. They seem to want the car to look like it came off the show room floor.
But there seems to be a completely different philosophy around bike restorations. I know there are some differing opinions on the subject, but in my observations on these forums, people generally prefer to clean it up, but leave it as origina as possible, no matter how much patina there is. If there is only a bit of paint left on the frame and chrome has lost its luster , that seems quite acceptable and in many cases preferred. Obviously a bike or car that looks like it came out of a showroom and is all original is preferred and fetch a premium, but I’m more talking about the bikes and cars that show their age and are weathered to some degree.
Thought it might make an interesting topic, so please don’t be shy and share your thoughts.... I’m new to the bike thing, and like I said, I’m not a car guy so maybe I’ve got it all wrong.
Tom
But there seems to be a completely different philosophy around bike restorations. I know there are some differing opinions on the subject, but in my observations on these forums, people generally prefer to clean it up, but leave it as origina as possible, no matter how much patina there is. If there is only a bit of paint left on the frame and chrome has lost its luster , that seems quite acceptable and in many cases preferred. Obviously a bike or car that looks like it came out of a showroom and is all original is preferred and fetch a premium, but I’m more talking about the bikes and cars that show their age and are weathered to some degree.
Thought it might make an interesting topic, so please don’t be shy and share your thoughts.... I’m new to the bike thing, and like I said, I’m not a car guy so maybe I’ve got it all wrong.
Tom