I'm on the verge of acquiring a 15-yr. old Ron Cooper bike in my size with a mix of Campy NR and SR components. The frame is in very good shape and the seller, whom I trust fully, assures me that the bike has very low mileage. I've seen nothing to dispute that. Here's the hang-up: the bike is painted lovely CELESTE, as the original owner wanted the bike in Bianchi color. The bike also has celeste bar tape and saddle. Not being a huge fan of celeste I can see having the color could grow on me -- bar tape and saddle are outta here, however. (Anyone interested in a celeste Selle Italia Turbo in excellent shape? - $25+shipping) The paint is generally in very good shape with a few nicks and not even surface rust. The paint's condition provides no excuse for repaint. I know the feelings of forum members on leaving original paint and respect them. The hitch here is that the bike's original color more properly belongs on a Bianchi and I can think of several colors I'd find more appealing. I will ride past people who will say, "Nice Bianchi" then they'd do a double take and mumble not very nice things about me and my bike's color. But I can live with that.
(Have people seen many celeste non Bianchis?)
I realize that this mostly comes down to taste and am aware that an original paint job (even one that's moderately unappealing) is more valuable from a collector's perspective. For the latter reason I'm leaning toward leaving the paint alone. Still, I'd appreciate any opinions and input CR members can offer as I contemplate this quasi-Shakespeareian question: to paint or not to paint? Thank you,
Vlad Luskin OaklandCA
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