"the annual Barrett-Jackson collectible car auctions broadcast from Scottsdale, Arizona during the past 2 days and there were many concerns which crossed over to our collectible bikes."
Where to start! - First off, its all good! Whatever state a vintage bike or car is, if its on the road, safely outfitted, if its cared for and maintained by an enthusiast and is driven/ridden with joy and pride - who can criticize? Its a gift to all on-lookers.
As for Barrett Jackson/ Russo Steele - the word is - shill! OK I said it! Not a good representation of the market, and some questionable auction practices (According to those in the know) - and ... "The bid goes on!"
But I digress - I own several ("matching numbers") vintage British cars, and Italian vintage bikes.
My preference is for original paint, original equipment, and the patina that comes with it. Value is in the eye of the beholder ... For me the epitome of the perfect vintage bike/car is a true NOS, boxed example. An NOS bike out of the box is pure history - and for obvious reasons, really rare. There is a guarantee that it is set up, painted, decaled, detailed exactly the way it came from the builder. I have two of those. (71 Italian Masi, 61 Jag) Jag my family bought new. Masi came wrapped, in a box, with Masi tagged wrapping, bottle, hat, etc.
Life is short. Do I drive/ride them carefully? ABSOLUTELY - JAG HAS to be driven to be maintained. Masi? OK I swapped out the wheels and drive train, covered the HB tape, to maintain its "NOS" ness - but I HAD to see how it rides. (Beautifully) I don't ride it much. And although still perfect, it isn't "New" now that I've ridden it a few times around Central Park. But so what? Next owner will benefit from my excellent care.
With cars - I have swapped out points for electronic ignitions, upgraded headers, exhausts, fans, some timing chains, radials instead of 4ply, etc ... All in the name of better performance and convenience. Never anything that cannot be put back by the next owner for show purposes. But to me - the joy is in the driving! Wind in my hair! Hot Italian frame next to me (human or steel!)
Original paint and decals on a bike are ideal. You know immediately the care the bike has had since new, and you know the decals and paint schemes are correct, and rust, pitting, and rot are hard to mask without a re-paint. So that's what I prefer to buy. OF course you can wait a long time to find what you want with that criteria. (anyone have a late 60s DeRosa in a 60+cm frame size for me?)
Would I consider a 60s DeRosa restored by Brian Baylis? Uhhh - duh, of course! he is one of the great bike uber masters on the CR list. And his pedigree would add significance to any restoration.
My preference? Get those bikes (and cars) out on the road! Not only is the extra effort moving a vintage steel frame great for your heart and lungs, you will be sharing with the world an era of bygone craftsmanship, luscious aluminium, steel, leather, rubber technology that should inspire any but the most callous, in this plastic world of 15 sec soundbytes!
Greg Arnold NYC
greg@nofatmusic.com
http://www.nofatmusic.com