In a message dated 8/27/2002 10:49:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, rocklube@adnc.com writes:
> What my answer regarding a request to fill in a serial number on a head
> tube would be depends on who was asking and what the frame was. Anything
> that comes in here probably is something that should not have an
> original detail like that altered. A Pog should most deffinitely NOT
> have the number filled in. If someone insisted I'd think they were
> trying to hide something (like maybe the fact that they don't have
> rightful possesion of said frame); and depending on who it was I would
> insist on leaving the number on the lug or them finding someone else to
> paint the bike. If someone came in, proved they were the original owner,
> proved they were stupid and didn't care, AND gave me a good explaination
> why they really wanted it filled in, I would probably go ahead and do it
> under protest.
>
I suppose there is a case for leaving the serial number visible. The ownership question is a valid point. I'm afraid many of us could not prove ownership of most of our bikes in the sense that we have a receipt. Even if a bike shop wrote one up on a used bike that could put in doubt depending on how sure they were of the previous ownership. Not that anyone would knowingly buy a stolen bike, but it could happen. So when's the last time you got a receipt at a flea market or yard sale? : )
So that leaves aesthetics and how badly you believe stamped numbers and any distortion in a brand new paint job would offend you. I don't see it as stupid. An accurate restoration, I might side with you. Putting together a nice old bike to ride I'd want them filled. (Maybe take a picture first though)
Pete Geurds
Douglassville, PA