That is true, Phil, but the example holds true. The Model T tires are not original no matter how faithful they are to the original. The point is this; in order to continue driving their old cars, hobbyists had to find a new replacement. The same is true for collectors of vintage/antique bicycles. Unless the bike is going to be a display piece on a wall wornout parts must be replaced. When the NOS stuff is gone or displayed on someone's shelf or too expensive to use on a "rider" then a substitute must be used or the bike is expensive scrap. I have a modest collection of Sturmey Archer hubs and while I would like to use them I hesitate to do so. If I break; one of my ASC hubs how do I replace it? But now I am starting to digress (old-timer's disease) so I'll go.
Paul Patzkowsky Longmont Colorado