Restore or leave all original...

[NewOrleansFlyer]

Some of you may have heard about my Monark/Firestone Special Cruiser. I've been on this board for a while and everyone has been very helpful...more than helpful. I appreciate all the discussions and comment often. I've gotten so awesome deals from other members and hope I can return the favor some day. So, here is the question.
I'm toying with the idea of restoring my bike "Lucy" back to her original condition...not that she needs more than a new paint job, some TLC on the chrome parts, and a new seat cover and pedals. I'm torn between leaving her in original condition or restoring her....which I believe she deserves. But every time I look at her, I see the years she has seen (she's almost my age...somewhere in her mid 50's. I just can't decide and was wondering what I should do. Can the folks who have restored their "bicycle friends" comment, and can the folks who have decided that age and patina are good things chime in as well. I can't decide, but I do have a few months before I can spend extended time in my garage if I go with a restoration. I just need a shove in one direction or another. And on the agenda either way is getting her a 2 wheeled boyfriend her own age...... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Critter1]

How about a picture of Ol' Lucy?

 

[axsepul]

How about a picture or two of lucy!

 

[NewOrleansFlyer]

I'll throw her front wheel on tomorrow and take a few pics.....I had it off cause I was puttin' on some missing spokes....but pictures you will have...and feedback will be appreciated.

 

[abe lugo]

I've actually done both, either way doing it yourself is the way to go. Depends on the paint, if it can be polished out and you have the matching color pieces then keep it original. If the paint is mostly rust, then go for it and restore to original.

 

[Critter1]

She's only original once

 

[expjawa]

She's only original once

People say that, and I suppose it's true.

This is just my take on that statement, but IMHO, that day is the day it's sold new. Original implies that it is in the condition of its original manufacture. After that, it (bike, car, dining room set, etc) starts to gradually change. Either scrapes/scratches from just regular use, owner modifications, or repairs, once it goes into actual service it essentially ceases to be original. So for all those folks that "don't want to loose the originality", well, it's already lost in most cases. Maybe it is nearly original, or maybe it has become a rusty hulk that still contains most of the OEM parts. You can either preserve the patina and what's left of the factory bits and pieces, you can keep repairing/modifying so you can keep using it regularly, or you can restore it to like-new condition.

For me, like others, if the original paintwork is in good condition, I'll clean and polish it, but won't repaint it. OTOH, I have no quams about replacing bearings, the whole headset, cables, tires, wheels even (if the OEM ones are rough). Anything function or safety related is fair game, because I intend to actually ride all my bikes, and put a lot of miles on them. At the end of the day, though, it comes down to you - what do yout want out of it? What is your vision when you look at it?

 

[NewOrleansFlyer]

I found these pics taken last summer....thanks for the replys so far..

 

[axsepul]

Take it apart. Wash it with hot soapy water. Re grease and put it back together. Ride it!

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Normally my rule of thumb is clean it up, and clean any re-paint off of it. After that if you can read what it is then leave it original. If not I look at the paint if it is 50% or better I order new decals and leave original if under then re-spray or rat.

If the bike itself is not valuable like a Huffy or Murry then I re-paint anyway.

 

[SSG]

That one actually looks really good. Give it a wash and a wax and I bet it'll shine right up.

 

[NewOrleansFlyer]

She is quite the looker alright...

 

[ratina]

That looks nice! I would wash it and leave it original!

 

[NewOrleansFlyer]

I've had her for a while, and I just keep coming back to polish her up, grease her up, and ride....I guess I'm just that way....must be getting old. Thanks for the input folks....

 

[B607]

Is it yours or your wife's? If it's the wife's I'd steal the boys seat off of it for one of your bikes and replace it with a girls seat. If you ride it, I guess it needs the boys seat. Gary