[CR]The bike I found

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:59:23 +0900
From: "Dennis Young" <mail@woodworkingboy.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <CATFOOD9RiFw3mTcFSU00000bc0@catfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]The bike I found

One can get into big head trip about such things...to restore or not to restore. I see it as a good thing, and part of the dilemma is wanting to be sensitive and dutiful to a item most likely originally made in a wholesome spirit. There are different viewpoints all around the subject; academic, emotional, etc. Since you are the custodian of the goods, suck it up and make a decision. You've seen all kinds of bikes from the ill and abused once was sweet one that is only getting worse, to the gem kept in a silk pouch that barely sees the light of day. Ask yourself what YOUR eye wants to see there. It can help in making a decision. Possibly that what you want to see is already what you are looking at.

Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan


> We have a friend of the family who is a mechanic and specializes in old
> Corvettes. Now, these Corvette guys can get pretty particular, including
> our friend. However, he doesn't believe in keeping things "original" above
> everything else.
>
> He argues with my neighbor, who owns a very nice '64 Corvette. There are
> several things worn out on the car, and the chassis has some rust. However,
> the car has low mileage, and he doesn't want to change anything. My friend,
> the mechanic, tells him that the car didn't come from the factory with rust!
> It's not original anymore - it's rusty! It didn't come from the factory
> with worn parts. It's not original - it's broke!
>
> I agree that it is worth trying to preserve how something was, but there
> comes a time where you go past preserving a piece of art and you are now
> holding onto a rusty piece of junk. It's up to you to determine where that
> point is.
>
> Todd Kuzma
> Heron Bicycles
> Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery
> LaSalle, IL