I think Jools has put it better than I could have. For me when I have been to classic car shows its always the old original well worn examples I find myself looking at. Sure its nice to have a look at an immaculate fully restored jobby but theres no history or character left in them. If I could go back in time I would never begin this mammoth restoration I have been doing (17 years and still not finished) of my MK2 Jag. The money I have in that car already would buy me 2 excellent original examples of the same car. I know mine will not have that patina of a lovely old car with the smell of the original interior etc.
Used to have a mate sadly no longer with us who always used to get whatever the latest top Japanese bike was top dog. As soon as he got each and everyone of them he used to cover all the front of the fairings etc with thick Duck tape as he could not cope with the fact it may get stone chipped. He would leave all that stuff on till he next changed his bike and repeat the whole process again. Thing is his bike always looked crap with all this tape etc all over the place but was perfectly preserved for the next owner. Couldnt really see the point in it!?
and as for its condition, well it's treatment is no different to any number of bikes that are owned here that have been dismantled, repainted, rebuilt, lovingly prepared and will now spend 90% of their future lives in peoples houses ......
so why is what this guy doing a waste and what we would term "our own" admirable ??
03-Mar-2006, 14:38 
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