on 8/5/03 4:18 PM, Chuck Schmidt at chuckschmidt@earthlink.net wrote:
> Todd Kuzma wrote:
>>
>> Hmm. My favorite modification is to carefully remove the NR derailleur,
>> place it in a box, and install a far superior Sun Tour Cyclone or Superbe
>> derailleur that I bought for a fraction of the price!
>>
>> Sorry I couldn't resist.
>
> Todd, on that freeway of installing superior but unoriginal parts there
> are no off ramps...
This brings up the old debate of whether to restore for use or for show. Whether or not the bike is historically accurate is not important to everyone. Note that I didn't suggest installing modern components (which is what Sheldon Brown does) but superior components from the same era (more or less).
It is, however, as you suggest a slippery slope. Cages and pulleys today, Superbe tomorrow, carbon Record 10-speed after that!
Todd Kuzma
Heron Bicycles
LaSalle, IL 815-223-1776
http://www.heronbicycles.com