I would rather have something that is both presentable and comfortable rather than 100% original.
I'd rather have nice looking paintwork in a color (or two colors) that I really like even if it isn't factory correct.
I do not keep anything with weathered dog-doo looking original patina. It is just not my thing.
Yes, if somebody is seeking something specific and really old, and I have seen it somewhere, I will alert them to where to go get it.
If it is free, and I know a friend (or a friend of a friend..) who is seeking that particular weathered ancient dog-doo looking 100% original or mostly original bicycle, I will load it in the car if I'm not driving the two seater and then I'll give the bike to my friend.
I realized a long time ago that you can realistically only have so many bicycles, cars, boats, houses, sets of golf clubs, guitars, motorcycles,..... ,and you should concentrate on that limited number that is nice enough to make you the happiest. I certainly enjoy restoration projects and customization projects but again with those I do limit them to perhaps maybe one or possibly two at any one time. It keeps me focused and motivated in completing the project within the timeframe I had established. If I become disinterested in a project and make no forward progress within six months for whatever reason, I will sell, donate or otherwise get rid of it. From my perspective, I view this as fun and certainly as a hobby, rather than viewing it like the CPA Comptroller of a manufacturing concern. This is what works best for me, but as my wife has always said to me for decades, you know you are both creative, weird and really organized which is way beyond normal weird. I have to have organized materials, and an organized plan and a relatively uncluttered work and storage area in order for me to get my best results. The way that I look at it is that it is something that will be at least nice enough or why even bother if it will still have the appearance of dog-doo. Original is great if it also looks really good but original with "weather beaten patina" is the look that it deserves to be set out on the curbside trashpile on trash pickup day. I realize that this is just my opinion and that others can have differing opinions and not be wrong. That is the point----------there is no right or wrong----------decide what makes you the happiest and do that. It is your bike and you'll be riding it and having fun with it. Sure, if you're buying or otherwise obtaining a particular collectible bicycle (or whatever collectible automobile or item, etc.. ) you should be aware that certain deviations from stock original could potentially lessen the resale market value. For example a 1965 something like a Ferrari 330 GT and a something like a 1965 Corvair convertible.............................. with modifications and changes to the 1965 Corvair could make it worth way more than an otherwise a very nice condition all original 1965 Corvair.
Now if you had a '65 Ferrrari or a 1965 Yenko Stinger, you'd want everything completely original.
Above all, you should remember the old Burger King ad slogan from the mid-Seventies: "HAVE IT YOUR WAY".
If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong.
I see a red bike and I don't necessarilly want to paint it black.............................but maybe I wanna paint it some other color...