So, it's been interesting reading the variety of views on this topic. In a strange way I think I agree with all of them! I have a fair number of builds and restorations under my belt now. And how I approach them really depends upon the bike I am working with. Sometimes I'll want to replicate the original bike as far as possible - either for aesthetic reasons, or because I want to ride as if it was 'new'. Other times, and more often lately, I'll make concessions to being in my early 50's with a little rise in the bars and a more comfortable saddle
with other bikes, I like to treat them as a blank canvas and do something quite different - a new paint design or newer components or a theme.
I am an Aspie so there is a myriad of complex (Sometimes contradictory) rules that I have set for myself around the builds I do that probably don't make sense to anyone else
they are at once the most important things in the universe and completely irrelevant. I am often fanatically obsessed about some aspects but completely oblivious to others. I suspect I am not alone in that regard on this website, which is why it is so great.
A lot of the bikes I get hold of are pretty f***** so often the choice is not hard to make. Even then people will message me and tell me not 'ruin the patina'... I appreciate their perspective, but in my personal view, it's already been 'ruined' by somebody leaving it outside or in a damp shed for decades. (and there are reasons why that happens, life, changing priorities, health... I'm not being judgy) So, in these cases, I see what I do as a rescue and, hopefully, preserving something awesome, or at least functional, for who ever will have it after me.
I love seeing how other people approach their builds, whatever their take and approach - whether it is building catalogue correct Team Avalanche, a tribute Zaskar to Hans Ray or welding disk tabs onto a 90's Palomar, ultimately, they are being creative, having fun and bringing a little joy. There ain't a lot wrong with that.
