Kevin,
What you don't realize is that, one, most of the factory paint jobs were pretty good overall, except for the detail trim paint. When new many of these bikes were very beautiful and if waxed and cared for like a good car from the beginning could easily look like a show bike. Considering the volume of bikes made and the factory environment, Id say they were pretty good.
Second, I think you misunderstand the mindset of any manufacturer. The builders of the classic bikes wanted them to look as good as possible; how else are you going to compete and gain a good reputation? If something is lacking on the frames, it's more likely in the framebuilding part, which the paint won't hide in most cases. I personally don't believe there is such a thing as "over-restoration" is someone is trying to put the bike back to original. Over-restoration would be adding pinstripes around the lugs of a Masi, adding extra chrome where it wasn't originally, etc. That's actually called bastardization in my book. A certain number of you people need to stand behind a spray gun and at a vice and workbench for a while instead of a keyboard. Put the shoe on the other foot. I'm sure you would change your tune.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Michael and others. Per the Cinelli resoration, "I've (Michael Shiffer) planned the restoration of my basket-case Cinelli as if I was restoring a show car- great paint".
I am very happy to see the excellent steps Michael has already taken to restore the Cinelli he purchased on eBay (replaced the missing chainstay brace and filled in the gaping rectangular BB hole (great job by the folks at Bilenky plus a superfast job!!!).
In my opinion, too many collectors over restore both bikes and cars by putting on better paint than the piece ever would have originally had. Most Cinelli's I ever looked at had far from perfect show paint jobs, as they were intended to be ridden, raced, or in other words, put to good riding use as they were intended. I recall seeing another Cinelli at Cirque that had a beautiful, and I mean beautiful perfect paint job, but it would have never left the Cinelli shop looking that pretty!
To each his or her own, but spending a ton of money to repaint a bike with a paint job that it would have never originally had is something I clearly can't comprehend.
After all, they are just bicycles, meant to be ridden, not hung on a wall.
Don't get crazy on me now!
Regards, Kevin Kruger - Grantville, PA
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