This issue of originality and period correct nags me some. (And by the way, I'm not a proponent of either.) To each is own. If you competed a 1935 Packard with a 350 Chevy engine at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, just because it's easier to work on and Chevys sound cool, you would be laughed off, or shot on, the grounds. And/or you would be a candidate for a Modified class or participants choice/non-judged (if Pebble Beach even has those classes, I doubt it.) Many CR members are those that strive to restore their collectable bikes to the faithful condition of what the bike was when new..not simply to one's interpretation of what they think that bike should be or should have been. Upgrading a certain period of bike to a different period level of component is not wrong. Just remember when that Imron red 1975 Colnago with Campy Ergo does not win a bicycle concours, despite how clean and shiny it is, the owner shouldn't make a fuss. That's what all of these rich antique car collectors are all about, originality, period. What was it like when it was new?
Most our bikes have been ridden hard and well over their, and our, lives. The upgrade was a necessary evil and benefit to most of us as riders. We upgraded to better components that were available at the time to prevent us from carrying back broken plastic derailleurs as we walked our bikes home. I suppose the thought should be for 2004 : do what you want but don't butcher it if you don't have to.
Best regards for the holidays to all,
Carl Gonzalez Bay Village, OH
In a message dated 12/24/03 9:30:37 AM, renault68@hotmail.com writes:
>I have to throw my two cents worth in here. To "upgrade" a classic bike
>with more "modern" components, is like dropping a fuel injected 5.0 liter
Ford
>V-8 into a 1954 Jaguar. Certainly it would be faster and more
>"user-friendly" than the original engine, but what is the point? If I
wanted
>new iron, I'd buy it
>That said, I'd like to add "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
Substitute Chevy for Ford and you have, in fact, a period correct engine swap that was very common-well, maybe not with a Jag but I've seen several Ferraris and Maseratis-in the old days. Phil Brown Who saw the Stovebolt Special race but not in San Rafael, Calif.