Resto or Patina -- Which is best?

[kampos]

Hi all ; hoping I can get some help with a dilemma. I've had my '95 CinderCone for about 3 years now ; haven't done a lot with it but hanging about here has got me wondering if it's right to return it to 100% factory spec. and condition ; or to leave it as is. When I bought it ; the only major deviations from original were the tyres and the rear rim which at some point has become an M231 -- however the saddle is shabby to say the least ; and I've since discovered that the seatpost is bent. Replaced the saddle and post
with a period-correct Vetta and a Kalloy post ( still have the originals though). The frame has no dings or dents and the paintwork is pretty good mostly ( bits of cable rub and the odd scrape is all I can see wrong with it ) so what to do? Do I make it as it was in 1995? It wouldn't be a long list ( Tyres ; seat and post ; another M237 ; respray and decals ). Or do I leave it as is? A final point : somebody really loved this bike before me ; it has a lot of ally bolts and a set of Zero Zippies fitted -- part of me wants to preserve that love ; part of me wants everything original. I should add also ; if I do get it back to original it won't be a queen it will be used ; I await all your thoughts and opinions with interest ; and Thanks in advance.

I'll post this badly taken and resized pic for now ; and over the weekend I will try to take some pics showing the damage the frame has.
kampos/Dave

 

[xxnick1975]

My tuppence worth, leave the frame alone, replace bits with periodish bits as needed

 

[silverclaws]

I look at it this way, it works, it stays and after all, pre owned bikes have their own history, why return it to pre history when it has advanced so far.

I just replace what is totally shot, to enhance my riding, any bling, well I will do it if it is cheap.

 

[thecannibal]

It's not like it's a super-rare museum piece, but you'd still be mad to respray that frame unless you had something particularly special in mind.

 

[ishaw]

My opinion is leave it. I am a perfectionist and have many bikes/projects still in progress that I started a year, possibly two years ago, just because I wanted to get them as good as they could be. I regret it and wish I'd just swapped out the parts I wanted to, then ridden them rather than stripping, powder coating, painting, new this and that, decals etc. It is a slippery slope and unless you are going to be building a museum piece, just use and abuse until the condition really warrants a respray.

 

[Russell]

Many a great bike has been ruined by the addition of re-production decals, albeit with good intentions.

 

[highlandsflyer]

The idea of respraying a bike that in perfectly usable condition is anathema to me.

Then again, I never change my pants.

 

[brocklanders023]

My tuppence worth, leave the frame alone, replace bits with periodish bits as needed

Agreed.

 

[Guy With a Ritchey]

patina

 

[kampos]

Only other pic I have so far; I draw your attention to the chainstay just behind the protector thing:

(includes bonus finger ; new phone is my only excuse)