Lou,
That's a good question. I generally leave frames as original as much as possible. I fix things that will break in the future unless something is done about it, or if damage has occured that is obviously not original that gets fixed.
I never refile lugs or go overboard removing file marks on classic frames. The customer dictates to a drgree what will get done by indicating the type of "restoration" it is. Making something perfect that was not perfect in the beginning is not only very difficult, it can look out of place when the rest of the bike is not perfect. Every frame is different, you run into all kinds of snags. I do my best to fill gaps in lugs but it's not always possible to get perfect results because things happen in the oven that weren't there before. Usually either air or flux trapped in a thin gap present the most problems. Anything is possible when dealing with a chrome plated frame. There are some jobs that are pure hell and others that go through without a hitch. Can't really tell which it will be until it starts kicking and biteing. Much of what I do is undoing what has been done to frames in the past. I do what I can to make them look acceptable. Most of the time I'm successful, but upon occassion a job isn't perfect. It's hard to accept, but it just happens, but very rarely. Everyone seems to have different standards and expectations. I do my best work and hope that it is good enough. That usually works. I do my best in the paint phase. The paint looks most original and is most durable when it is thin and smooth. I focus more on the painting than the reworking when it comes to repaints. The frame had flaws in the beginning, it may still have some; but the paint will last and look pretty authentic so that it will naver have to be restored again with proper care.
Does that cover it??
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA
One thing that some don't know about "reworking" a frame is that much of it has to be done before the frame is assembled. Once the frame is together it's hard to refine it a whole lot. If the original builder didn't care enough about the bike you can bet your ass I don't! I save my best work for my frames. I use all my skill and abilities on repair work but don't get carried away with refining the bike; it's best to make it look original. If it was awsome originally it will be awsome when I'm done; if it was dogmeat in the beginning, it will remain ALPO.