I never hear folks some up with the best argument for restoration. To wit, that many wonderful old bikes one comes across are candidates for the dumpster. Without the wonderful things wrought by folks like Brian Bayliss (and he has repainted several for me) these things were largely junk. I readily admit have over restored a few, but, after all, it really is a learning experience to restore bikes. One does one's best, as seems appropriate at the time. I take great enjoyment from getting that nasty thing that few want, to the beautiful bike that folks "Ooh" and "Aah" over when they see it. I often feel that if the builder could see it, they would love it. Some of my bike's builders have seen the restoration and raved about it. I doubt any of these folks would find something like rust acceptable. I should feel apologetic to the purists and intolerant among us? Not on your life! I like hot rodding bikes to make them reflect my own individual taste, too. Get used to it. Folks will always do it. I applaud their efforts.
If a slavish attachment to your idea of absolute originality is your thing, great! I like to look at those, too! But I do not go around assuming some sort of character defect accompanies this urge. Only when folks try to tell me their religion is the only one, do I get a bit prickly. If you like mi efforts I am pleased beyond measure. If not, I probably still will like yours. I do have highly original bikes (even as far as to having unwrapped vintage bikes from their original factory wrapping and assembling them for the first time (maybe I should have left them unassembled so someone else can do it?) I feel no bond at all with these bikes. They are someone else's vision of what should be.
I am no longer restoring, mainly because I have so often put $2000 into getting myself a $1200 bike, but it is not wrong to do so when the mood is upon one and the right bike presents itself. It is all a choice. On one's own bike. Reflecting one's own esthetic. Celebrate diversity!
Tom Sanders
Lansing, MI USA