So who prefers to "Preserve the Crust"?

[Boris]

I can totally understand leaving common low end 'crusty' bikes 'as - is'....but if something is complete...
but toasted and restorable and Deluxe or Rare/ exotic..... Restore it.
Do it right! Make the bike glow like it rolled off the showroom floor!

Personally the whole rusty bike thing is getting old to me. Laziness... I don't want bikes sitting around here that
look like junk. Fact of the matter is ...due to expense and time and effort involved in doing thorough restorations...
the new breed of collector for the most part would rather live with a rusty roached out bike than than take the
time to restore it....or learn the process of restoration
Although..I do agree .....not worth the expense restoring low value plain jane or common bikes..... Unless you can do the work
yourself and have access to reasonable plating etc and other restoration services and its affordable.

NICE condition unrestored bikes are always top of the game.... but I have way more respect for the collector
who owns a rare bike, that was junk, rusted and rough, and took the time to do a competent job restoring
it ...than I do the collector who just bought something with the big wallet unrestored and bitchin'
even tho the unrestored bike is a better commodity or investment typically
my 2 cents

 

[Just Jeff]

I like patina. And this bike came to me this way from a fellow CABER.

Not original paint, not original parts, but it all matches. And I’ve no plans on restoring it. However I do plan on adding new spokes to the wheels so I can actually ride it and enjoy it

 

[weebob]

I think this pot needs to be stirrrrrred up again

 

[vincev]

With all do respect. Can I ask the difference between “redone” and “restored” ?
Just want to get my future builds right.

Good question. A restored bike is EXACTLY as it came originally with maybe a few aftermarket pieces.A redone bike is a bike that is made ride able again with incorrect parts,paint,striping,seat,pedals etc. and is actually more of a custom bike made the way the owner likes

 

[cyclonecoaster.com]

To each their own ... I prefer original bicycles .. surface rust doesn't hurt the value ... it shows the history & I think if the bicycle could tell us it's life's story ... I don't need a clean slate ... embrace what you have ... just a full service on a vintage beauty is all that's needed in what I like to find .. there is always hidden potential ...you never know what's beneath a restoration ... in any hobby or collectible ... many times the cost outweighs the value .. below is one that was brought back with OA bath & some time & patience ... Perfect

Riding almost every weekend I run into a lot of people who share great stories on what they had .. what they have currently .. great fun & much respect for original riders out there ... Ridden not Hidden .. Frank

 

[Kickstand3]

37 Mercury mostly wiped it down and tires and service.Im digging it !

 

[saladshooter]

38 Zep

 

[JRE]

My favorite crusty rider

 

[Kickstand3]

Girls like rust too

 

[JRE]

Girls like rust too

View attachment 1141472

View attachment 1141473

Nice I need to find a 36/37 girls Shelby for my Wife