Restoration or renovation?

[bobv7]

After allowing my original enthusiasm for restoring the bike to overcome my natural pragmatic attitude towards vehicles I have now settled on a less wallet damaging approach. The expensively restored headlight brackets have been consigned to a box under the bench as I found that I actually prefer the look of the much cheaper ones I fitted as temporary replacements. Having nothing else better to do I spent a very enjoyable hour yesterday with some offcuts and a crimping tool replacing the front and rear indicators with a set of smaller plastic ones from my spares box. Not only was it fun but to my eyes the result has taken years off the appearance of the bike. I am now studying the once to me iconic, but battered 4 into 4 exhaust setup and it’s possible future removal  for something  a bit lighter and less distressed. Could it be as a result of my financial mugging normal service has now been resumed?

[cooleronthecoast]

Very interesting, I think I've come to the same conclusion. 

Its very easy to get sucked in to doing a full resto on a bike.  The results can of course be stunning, but as you say, your wallet invariably gets a hammering and the finished article is quite often too nice to take out in inclement weather.   I got to thinking that I just want to enjoy riding my bikes instead of getting them so shiny that I hardly dare go out on them.  Having said all that I've already spent a bank on my CB550F and theres still things I would like to improve on it.   

[K2-K6]

I like an honest used bike and think there's nothing at all wrong with an example not being perfect,  space for all levels I feel.

Well used with burnished, patina,  few sensible mods makes for a nice bike, assembled more like a very good production racer with immaculate spannering that makes it perfect to ride is quite a nice level to aim for I feel.

[Moorey]

There simply is no right or wrong, your bike do as you seem fit.

[bobv7]

Absolutely! I think that's what I forgot when I first bought the bike.

[Bryanj]

I am rebuilding No 36 at present and even with my "stock" of mew plus used bits i cant afford to restore it.
At the same time i am assembling a second 500 using all "good" parts to sell and raise funds to build the 6pt "special"

[Rob62]

Moorey hits the nail on the head 

[masonmart]

Being pick I'd say that renovation is restoration but partial rather than the type of restoration that brings the bike to as new or better than new condition? For me the perfect partial restoration is to get the bike so that it functions as good as new in terms of handling and performance and in terms of Aesthetics then if it looks like an early 70's bike and it is an early 70's bike then perfect. If it's a 70's bike and looks new then there's a contradiction. First it will cost a fortune and secondly the quality will be unknown unless you know and trust the person who did it. Funnily the market is changing and "Patina" is becoming the buzzword, collectors now are putting a premium on bikes that are in original condition rather than fully and perfectly restored.

[Nurse Julie]

There is a strong market for both the 'fully restored' bike as in every single nut, bolt etc has been restored, refurbished, rebuilt or replaced where necessary, it looks better than the day it left the factory and will be good for another 40-50 years. Conversely, there is a strong market for the 'original condition' bikes that have had all mechanical parts that require attention have been dealt with to maintain safety and longevity. What there is not a market for are the heaps of dangerous rubbish, cobbled together out of wrong parts for the model / year but described as totally original and have had no mechanical work done since day dot and will ultimately cost the new buyer an absolute heap of cash just to get it roadworthy. Nothing wrong at all with a Mongrel miss fit either as long as that's what the buyer wants and it's safe and roadworthy.

[bobv7]

Dunno who said it but it was along the lines that something is only original once. I've decided that after a lifetime of changing bits on bikes since the age of 16 up to the point where the makers would disown them, trying to do something different with this bike weren't natural and a crime against nature that was bound to end badly. Just emerged from the garage after a very pleasent couple of hours swaping out the bent standard bars for some black anodised ones. Normal service has been resumed.

[Nurse Julie]

Just emerged from the garage after a very pleasent couple of hours swaping out the bent standard bars for some black anodised ones. Normal service has been resumed.

Sounds great, good on you. Wasn't it a bit chilly in the garage for fettling today 🤔🤔🤔 It has felt bloody freezing here all day long... Its just started to warm up now the fog has lifted and its just started raining 🙄🙄🙄

[bobv7]

The alternative was to help the wife with the ironing....

[Nurse Julie]

The alternative was to help the wife with the ironing....

Ah, makes total sense then Bob 😂😂😂. Those black bars look really nice.

[SumpMagnet]

I like those black bars. They don't 'leap out' ... but are a subtle kind of nice that I really like

[bobv7]

Thanks for the complements! They weren't expensive and of course they aren't drilled so I had to modify the switches and surface mount the wiring. The other point was the starter button wouldn't work so I had to clean off the coating under the switch to get an earth. (At least I think that was the reason ) Anyway it keeps the old brain active! Merry Christmas one and all, and a Happy and safe New Year.