To Restore or Not

[davroos]

So I took an unrestored Klein Attitude "Dolomite" and a restored Horizon Linear Attitude to the Tour of the Flanders on the weekend, and they were both ridden in the event !!! Now I thought that the HLF would have been a talking point but more people were interested in the Dolomite. I was going to get it repainted, but after the majority of comments to how it was great that it was original, I am in two minds.

I really don't know what to do !!!

 

[feetabix]

You will get all kinds of views here, no doubt.........for my money I would keep it original, providing it isn't a total mess.......

 

[sancho]

My $.02 is that unless you're restoring to save it from corrosion and/or for sentimental reasons, it's usually better to leave it be. Most collectors would rather have the original paint with imperfections over a shiny new respray.

 

[mkozaczek]

Eh.... they made over 2000 of them... no loss if you repaint one more

j/k

 

[Vinevo]

Re:

Need some pics David, old skool patina is good thing, it's hard to decide when it reaches a point that new paint is the right thing to do, personal decision. I'm never going to paint my old Backfire.

 

[Bryncrug72]

really depends on the condition of the frame underneath, my pioneer had several patches of surface rust I did think about just touching it up, but opted for the full restoration, at the end of the day its your bike !
There is an argument for keeping it as it is but sometimes its nice to give the old girl another lease of life !
suppose it doesn't really matter as long as it gets ridden !

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

If it's not too bad leave as is. It's original now but won't be if you repaint it. It'll look very nice but won't be original.

 

[MatBH5]

Re:

I like a bit of patina, but can really appreciate the quality a refinish has given so many (now) absolutely mint bikes on here. Where the latter has been somewhat forced by corrosion or dent/damage that's an easy decision.
Sentimental value certainly comes into the equation; every chip, scratch etc. on my old Orange Prestige reminds me of a misjudged corner, the time it was locked to a heating pipe in my Uni residence for safe keeping etc. I wouldn't get a respray even though it's a bit tatty.
So... personal preference really and speaking for myself, from looking at the build threads on here, I can equally appreciate either approach.
On the fence then!

 

[davroos]

Re:

It's hard, I was all set to go for a full respray, make it look new, but after taking it to Belgium with a restored one, more people were far interested in the old Dolomite. Maybe it is because of the paint job, the groupset is nothing special, just DX but the amount of comments and photos was like wow.

Presently, I think I will keep it the way it is but would a resprayed Dolomite still get the same attention?

 

[Bryncrug72]

What would make you feel better?
end of the day its your bike and its about how you feel !