Re: Fw: [CR]Restorations

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

From: "John Pergolizzi" <jtperry1@verizon.net>
To: <richardsachs@juno.com>
References: <20041128.181555.26393.190208@webmail32.nyc.untd.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: [CR]Restorations
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:37:08 -0500
reply-type=original
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

E.R. I think that one's aim and intent is what counts. To stroke ones ego by pleasing ones own eye, with no other consideration, is verboten to me be cause of the intrinsic loss of history. All "date correct" is not necessary certainly unless it was "Museum quality" of a one and only, but if it's sky blue pink that I like , do I have to put it on a "still not absolutely necessary to repaint" frame? If it's a question of economics, and the bike needs it, certainly one can still do the right thing; i.e. original available color, thickness etc., but with a limited pocket book. Theirs is the more difficult endeavor. Preservation, and how and when to go about it, is a much more difficult question. Correct restoration on a shoestring is often an equation that needs more time to complete. And most people are simply to anxious to get a job done. The price of research is often what is not willing to be paid.

John T. Pergolizzi Broklyn, New York


>
> snipped:
> "I guess I'm more all or nothing. Like do
> your Masi style thing or don't bother."
>
>
> that's a tough one.
> i spent 4 years and countless jacksons.
> you're suggesting that investing less
> makes a resto not worthwhile? i had the
> time and money; someone else may simply
> have a different sensibilty towards what
> "constitutes" the task. their's is a less
> worthy endeavor? did i misunderstand you?
> e-RICHIE
> chester, ct
>
>
>
>
>
> -- "John Pergolizzi" <jtperry1@verizon.net> wrote:
> e-RICHIE wrote:
> "jp-issimo,
> so you're anti-restoration?"
>
> Sig. Richissimo,
> I guess I'm more all or nothing.
> Like do your Masi style thing or don't bother.
> But iffin she ain't "original", then really take her out and ride her
> cause
> you can always "restore" her again.
> One of the first Ferrari's I drove belongs to a Doctor out in Long
> Island and was I ever thrilled when he told me to take the wheel! But He
> said that before he had her restored, he drove her all the time, and
> afterwards "she was made of glass".
> I was in an apartment in Manhattan as a young just out of college
> handyman doing some work, and hanging from the ceiling is a Calder mobile.
> I knew what it was, but it really was nothing special; just hanging there
> all limp and whatnot! So I blew on her! And she came to life! Really
> neat!
> Duchamps etc., = movement. Bikes not getting ridden, that is what I'm
> against.
> John T.Pergolizzi
> Brooklyn, NewYork
>
>
>
>>> Tom Sanders wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "...bike was a shining, gleaming, non rusty bit of eye dazzle with a
>>> reasonably good paint job.
>>> I think if it does not please your eye, it should be made to do so.
>>> It's
>>> yours."
>>>
>>> Here's where I disagree: she's not "yours", she belongs to history
>>> and
>>> posterity.
>>> This issue has been hashed out ad nauseum. Western outlook has been to
>>> leave your mark (graffiti by English explorers on the Temple of Dendur
>>> at
>>> The Metropolitan Museum), to "improve" (the repaint of the George Mount
>>> Olympic bike). Hey, unless she is almost a bucket of rust, you can
>>> always
>>> restore her. Why now? Just to make you happy? And if she isn't the only
>>> one
>>> on the planet left, well ride her for J.H.C's sake. Ride her into the
>>> ground. And if she is the last one on Earth, then what the heck are you
>>> doing taking away any originality (Peter N. on a last of a Hetchin's
>>> line).
>>> "Yea, but I want her to look nice". It's like asking your wife to get
>>> plastic surgery or you'll leave her for your girlfriend.
>>> Guy's ,when you have too much time on your hands, go paint your
>>> tools.
>>> A few years ago , the gods were good enough to help land in my lap a
>>> Peter Weigle bike. Fantastic quality paint job BUT UGLY!!! At least to
>>> my
>>> eyes. Magenta purple/Gumby green/white lugs with black in the heart
>>> cutouts/
>>> yellow lettering....UGGGGHHHHHHH!
>>> So I figured I'd get her chromed. After all she fit and was
>>> flawless.
>>> But I called Peter first and we discovered she was in fact a show bike
>>> whose
>>> photos appeared in Playboy magazine with Terry Weigle (no relation) and
>>> then
>>> in Bicycling. The bike originally had Campagnolo
>>> "prototype"C-Record!!!!!!
>>> Rare and very special! This is The Playboy Wiegle Bike.
>>> Well, the bike is now with a very caring owner, The Famous Lou
>>> Deeter.
>>> I didn't do what I wanted. I did what the bike deserved. Help her show
>>> her
>>> history. Not "please my eye".
>>> This is just my humble opinion and has served me well for ohhhhh the
>>> last 15 years or so. Problem is it took me the first 15 years to
>>> learn.
>>>
>>> Sincerly,
>>> JohnT.Pergolizzi
>>> Brooklyn, New York
>>> where it rained almost all day so I have too much energy for this time
>>> of
>>> night