Is it worth putting NOS kit on?

[sq_root_of_2]

Information: You have some nice vintage NOS parts. IMHO parts and tyres can be more difficult to find than a vintage frame and unlike the frame are harder or impossible to restore.

Questions: What vintage/retro/classic frames or makers warrant putting this on? Do you save it only for the great old stuff? Do you only put it on bikes that had it in the day? Or do you put it on anything to enjoy it?

Qualifiers: Depends on the intended use so break it down to different uses in your reply. Wall hangers, commuter, trail, etc.

 

[northerndave]

I'm having this exact debate with myself right now. I've got a NOS Umma Gumma coming... Matching it to a used one, but do a dare ride it, will that first skid or will those first brake block stains on the crisp amber walls make me weep?

 

[Mike]

I'd keep the immaculate NOS parts/tyres for garage queens.

Personally I'm not sure of the benefits of having NOS tyres. They're no longer NOS the second they're used and easily damaged.

 

[Leon]

I would say if your whole bike is NOS keep it like that and enjoy it by hanging it on the wall.

If your bike is not NOS just put on the NOS parts and ride it! Have fun with it! It will not last forever but at least you did have fun now!

 

[Farmfield]

Or my situation... I have a NOS 1991 Miyata Terrarunner... Break it, sell it, put it on the wall, give it to FirstFlight... I'm in a jam... The only thing I know is that it's to pink to ride, hehe... xD

 

[Leon]

I certainly wanted to know how it rides! Even if it is on the street instead of dirt......

I'm glad my just bought Rascal has a few spots! I'm putting some NOS parts on it, but it wil be ridden, even in dirt (dry ofcourse, i'm not going to put it through the mud!).

 

[FluffyChicken]

Nutters,

NOS is not NOS once you buy it, after that it is second hand, like new.
Mainly because it is then not new, still old or original, but certainly not stock anymore.

Ride it till it breaks on whatever bike you have. Otherwise what's the point, you'll die and someone will look in the draw.. go what a silly old man and put it in the charity shop. Charity shop will sell it for £2.50. Enjoy it for what it was made for and get those garage queens out and get the dirty.

 

[barry2017]

Do you remember a couple of months ago I had that Raleigh?
Won as a prize in 1989 and stored in a dry garage, it had done less than 100 miles in its entire life, my riding it back home from London was its longest journey, ever. I really liked riding it, but I sold it because I was scared of marking it.
That's no way to own a bike.

 

[Dr S]

Some funny replies. My 2p worth....

I strongly feel that we have a responsibility when it comes to NOS parts- especialy things like tyres, rims and rear mechs that wear and get damaged. We have to strike a balance. Fit NOS to mint show bikes, and by all means use them, steady run through the park or into town or down the canal path, but lets not slap them on any old bike and head down the woods to find the local DH track or jumps.

Why fit a brand new mint M732 Rear mech on a user when you can just as easily find a good clean and tidy used example?

Personally I have restricted the use of NOS parts to the two bikes I own that don't get any use- My 86 Dale and my PACE, they are very special to me and I do not want to damage them after all the hard work that went into them. They are preserved and maintained for the future generations to marvel at and enjoy and very very occasionally riden in dry weather but no risks are taken.

My other stuff are all users and wear mint but non NOS parts- again well looked after and not abused, but they do get plenty of mud thrown at them as they were designed to do.

There is only a finite number of period tyres, rims, XTR brake blocks, NOS M900 cranks and mechs out there and they should be treated with care and respect- when they are gone, they are gone- FACT!

Rocco- with the greatest respect, I don't picture you doing the DH track at Chopwell and getting mega air over the doubles on your beautiful bikes, so fit those parts and enjoy your bikes but with care and respect they deserve in the way that you do.

As for some of the other posters above- go and sit in the corner and write 'I'm a naughty boy and will not destroy NOS parts for kicks' 200 times

Si

 

[lewis1641]

i have tried to be careful with my nos stuff. i do agree that once fitted it is no longer nos. might be not used but its not nos anymore.

my failing was a set of amber wall psycho tyres that ended up on my khs but they are not exactly rarer than rare. i'll regret it one day though.

i am in agreement with dr s. using nos stuff is kind of spoiling it for everyone else and future generations. kind of.

i am really torn.

its hard not to draw comparisons to the classic car brigade. i wouldnt bother to fit NOS panels to my golf or beetle burely because they are (or will be) well used, not parked in a heated garage etc.

maybe you should fit nos where you see fit, but treat it with respect.

my problem with tyres is that they WILL perish eventually. i thought about trying to stockpile nos tyres for future use and maybe even as a bit of an investment but theres as much chance of them getting damaged and cracking etc in storage as there is in use