I have the disease that a lot of us have because there is that "before" and "after" persona that always and forever makes my palm itch and my bank account scream UNCLE....I love tinkering with these beautiful pieces of machinery that we call bicycles but I also like to see them look like new even though they are a half a century old. We all know that they will never die....why not keep them looking like newborns? It is a steel "Fountain of youth".
Here is what becomes a problem....When I refurbish these frames I know that it is important to get as close to original as possible right down to the color of the base. The foil decals that were so common in the day....are virtually impossible to clear coat and/or wet sand so that I can apply a bomb proof finish so that when my Grandaughter wants to ride this bike in 14 years (lets see....three weeks old...ahh lets say 12 years....math....) she won't have to worry about so much as a touch up....a dry cloth dusting (if she can catch up to me riding it myself at age 68) and away she goes. Are vinyl decals a huge absolute NO in order to keep the value (or....with the new finish "appreciate" the value)or can I go with the vinyl decalds and make them exact in appearance? I suspect that this question is going to stir up a whole lot more value than the one about unisex bikes (myxed I think was the word) at least I hope it will. Seeya on the ride.
I hope this gets in and ok by the marshal
Jim Abt
Wausau, Wi. USA