Unless the paint is unsightly, or leaves the frame susceptible to rust, I would generally vote to keep it. You can argue that colors change with time, but it is virtually impossible to match a color exactly, and no one can exactly match the application methods and defects that appear in any paint job. These are all part of the historical fabric of the bike. Add decals, pinstriping and other details, even ride damage, and you have a historical record that is lost when the frame is repainted.
One learns to appreciate almost any color, eventually, with the possible exception of Schwinn Kool Green. I don't think I could ever bring myself to like that shade, even on a Paramount.
--Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont
----- Original Message ----- > From: FujiFish1@aol.com
> Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2002 00:57:57 EDT
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]New topic: Tube size and frame refinishing questions...
>
> Hi all,
> Reading the postings to this list really causes me to think about a lot
of
> things that I might not have otherwise. I'm very grateful for that, and I
> thank you all. This leads me to pose a refinishing question that has
> probably passed this list many times in the past. There is also a
question
> about tubing at the end of this post.
>
> What criteria do "we" use in determining whether or not a vintage
frameset
> should be refinished or not, and if so, how to do it.
> I really do love the ride of my Torpado Superlight (about 3.8lbs, frame
> only), and the brazings make it an awesome classic as far as I'm
concerned.
> According to the information I read here on the CR website (see link
below),
> this was their best frame, and it is painted just like the one pictured.
The
> paint job has a few little nicks here and there, but not too bad at all
> really. The chrome shows just a bit of wear, but polishing hides it very
> well. There is virtually zero rust, and what might be there could
probably
> be polished out too. When I originally decided to keep this bike, I
figured
> that I would have it refinished with a color scheme that is more to my
liking
> (I'm not a lover of teal, aqua, celeste, or anything like them). I have
> spent months now looking at thousands of frame pics and drawing little
> versions with color to help me make a choice.
> However, after reading these mailings here, I have begun to develop a
> different understanding of what it means to keep a vintage classic
> lightweight. I'm starting to think that it may be my duty, if you will,
to
> preserve this bike in it's original form, as best I can. It occurs to me
> that any diversion from original, including the paint, reduces it's
> authenticity. My concern is not about possible future resale value, as
these
> Torpados don't seem to really move anyone except me. It is the idea of
> respecting this work of art, as it was created, that is bugging me I
guess.
> Understand that I basically hate the paint job as far as color that
pleases
> my eyes goes. I would love to see it painted black, with yellow lugs and
> decals, and black highlights in all the awesome pantographs and lug
cutouts;
> or maybe an all "black chrome" or "polished hematite" looking finish with
> chromed lugs; or maybe... Or maybe, anything I might do, pretty as it may
be
> to me (the intended user for a long, long time) has nothing to do with
what a
> genuine Torpado Superlight is all about, and should look like. So, even
> though I do not love the paint as one of "Mark's favorites", I have
developed
> a certain respect and reverence for it, entirely because it is exactly
what
> the builder envisioned, planned out, and carried out. It is the original,
> and perhaps that ultimately cannot be surpassed.
> Have any of you gone through this same decision process? How did you
> resolve it, if you have? Are my wants more important than the builder's,
or
> is it the other way around? Do I take away from, or possibly ruin the
> classic value of the bike if I refinish it differently? I would genuinely
> appreciate any and all feedback you guys may have for me. It is always my
> intent to "do the right thing", in every aspect of my life, but I just
don't
> know what that means here, and I need your help.
> Here is the Torpado link: <
> http://www.classicrendezvous.com/