In a message dated 3/30/02 2:09:32 AM PST, StuartMX4@aol.com writes:
> Getting off list and writing about cars only confuses the issue. I doubt if
> anyone these days seriously races a classic Ferrari unless they have the
> dosh
> for a new crank, rods, pistons, valves, camshafts and so on. There are
> plenty
> of Paddy's Knife vintage cars which are racing actively and are one hundred
>
> percent original except for rebuilt body to replace the one which rotted
> and
> rusted, new block and head, new chassis side members, new radiator because
> the old one got stuffed into the Silverstone Armco and so on. Where does
> that
> leave bicycles?
The patina of an unrestored 1950 Gillot and the fact that it was made>
> where it was, when it was and by whom is of immense value, but half
> a century is half a century. Things wear out! The number of mid twentieth
> century bikes in original condition must diminish. Carefully cocooning them
>
> would preserve them as artifacts but not as bicycles. A Ferrari racing car
> which does not race is arguably not a racing car at all and an unridden
> bike
> is just an interesting collection of tubes to block a gap in a hedge. You
> repaint if you have to, replace worn out bits when you can and let someone
> else have it if you are not going to use it.
Paintings are for looking at; > cars and cycles are for use...even if
> originality
that means slips. I > think that the issue is confused in Classic
> Rendezvous
exchanges by the fact that most of the bikes discussed are comparatively>
> new. If I am still alive in the year 2030, write in and confirm that you
> still have
> such purist ideas on unsullied originality. As it is, our love for
> originality is being
> exploited by some dealers who buy very very cheap and sell very very dear.
> Laugh at high reserves on e-bay and keep your money in your pocket. If you
> are good at maths, work out how many hours you had to work to buy a new
> Sturmey hub in 1938 and then how many you have to work to buy the same now
> with sixty odd years of wear. Stop fretting about repro rubber and start
> getting annoyed about exploitation.
> Stuart Tallack just down the road from classic Goodwood
>
Stuart-
I think you have a good point there. Cheers,
Dave Anderson
Cut Bank MT