furyus
Finally riding a big boys bike
Well said.Hi, I get that opinion, respect it, and it seems over the last decade or so "patina" has become a more appreciated state of a vintage anything. That's good. It's true with many things that if you alter original wear or aging, you are in fact reducing the value and charm of said item. For that matter, "barn find and patina" are the buzz words of the decade. Over used in my opinion as lots of the terms are used inaccurate. A barn is a barn, and patina is from use or shelf/storage age. Not a shed or dumping salt on a repro sign. People have been watching the barns in AP too much.
I grimace at over-restored anything, but it happens and I've been guilty over the years, usually not on purpose. The quality of paint and plating sometimes surpasses the original finish. It happens. It's uncommon to tell a painter to be a bit sloppy or a plater, pin striper to cut a few steps or close one eye on your project. "Drink a 12 of bud before you spray paint my car, or do it Monday morning or just before you quit on Friday?" Hmnn.........
If something has been neglected and deteriorated based on being stored in poor unnatural conditions ( outside/damp/wet basement/ salt or chemicals) and the item can be "brought back" with a little detailing, personally I support that. It is a matter of choice and taste though. That bike looks like it has been neglected, not abused. There is a big difference. If that bike was owned and maintained and stored properly all these years, it would probably shine like new still. Take Bobby U's example he just sold on the Cabe. Survivors are wonderful. It's the state they have survived and how is the question. Lots of us "old school" guys are used to cleaning up the "patina" with some good old "elbow grease". To each their own. Personally, I'd buff the bike from stem to stern and bring back the natural beauty.
Since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by abandoned, rusty whatevers. It just amazed me that something that once was someone’s pride and joy is now broken, rusted and returning to the earth. I’m old now, and the same thing is gonna happen to me before too long!
I think the reason “barn find” and ”patina” became such hot buzzwords is because everything else in our lives is disposable crap produced by our communist overlords. To find something, in any condition, made of metal and more than 5 years old is pretty amazing.
The bike in question here really would be a great find. If I had to wait two more months before I’d be able to close the deal, I don’t know that I would have announced to the public that it was even on the block. I’m cynical that way. Hope it all comes true for the OP.