The refinishing of these machines.

4-gear

Member
I am fully aware of the fact that the people that own these bikes are free to do with them as they please. But, the alarming rate at which perfectly good survivors are being refinished is sad to me. When there are plenty of bikes out there that need refinished I can't see why this practice is praised. Although I have had Honda mini's most of my life, I have more of a collecting background in vintage bmx bikes. That hobby has had heated debates over the years over the preservation of original finish stuff being lost forever over a few flaws. It finally has come to the point that nice patina is something that is acceptable, and the need for showroom looks are reserved for the truly needy items. Once again, it's yours to do as you wish, but kick this around a bit if you will; It's only original once......
 
I can respect your position but I think with machinery new looking is better. I collect turn of the century oak furniture and in that case unrestored is essential to me . . . but with machinery I like it new looking. Look at the craze with old muscle cars, very seldom do you see one that is in original condition and when you go to a show your eye is drawn to the new paint on an old car look. Most of these bikes were beat up pretty bad in there first decade of riding so to put a shiney paint on an old machine is restoring them to there former glory. I have 3 CT 70's, all with old paint. Two of them could really use new paint and the 3rd one is just ok. If I could swing it I'd paint the 2 worst bikes and make them the prettiest girls at the dance.

David
 

boz

Member
I am fully aware of the fact that the people that own these bikes are free to do with them as they please. But, the alarming rate at which perfectly good survivors are being refinished is sad to me. When there are plenty of bikes out there that need refinished I can't see why this practice is praised. Although I have had Honda mini's most of my life, I have more of a collecting background in vintage bmx bikes. That hobby has had heated debates over the years over the preservation of original finish stuff being lost forever over a few flaws. It finally has come to the point that nice patina is something that is acceptable, and the need for showroom looks are reserved for the truly needy items. Once again, it's yours to do as you wish, but kick this around a bit if you will; It's only original once......

I am fully aware of the fact that the people that own these bikes are free to do with them as they please. But, the alarming rate at which perfectly good survivors are being refinished is sad to me. When there are plenty of bikes out there that need refinished I can't see why this practice is praised. Although I have had Honda mini's most of my life, I have more of a collecting background in vintage bmx bikes. That hobby has had heated debates over the years over the preservation of original finish stuff being lost forever over a few flaws. It finally has come to the point that nice patina is something that is acceptable, and the need for showroom looks are reserved for the truly needy items. Once again, it's yours to do as you wish, but kick this around a bit if you will; It's only original once......

What concerns me more is the part outs. Some of the bikes I've seen parted out are nicer than the ones I'm searching for parts for.

This topic comes up in many forums. I remember when I dabbled with Japanese swords. Some people would say that it was fine for amateurs to practice polishing "unimportant" blades. Others said that some blades once thought of as unimportant, later become important, and an amateur polish could destroy it.

Look at it this way. If it weren't for breakage, loss, destruction, part outs and amateur restoration jobs, then nothing would ever become rare and valuable.
 

crazyj23

Member
As think rust is a big factor when the decision to repaint or not comes up.

What is better? Letting a bike rust until it's no longer around, or paint to preserve?

I 100% agree that if everything is in good shape then fix whats needed to operate, clean things up a little and leave it alone.
 

bc17a

Well-Known Member
I beleive that if it is something that has been the family and has sentimental value then leave it original. A dent or a scratch that Junior made while Dad was teaching him to ride has meaning to the family.
Now, if I aquire your patina it means nothing to me so I will paint, polish and restore.
 

Adam-NLV

Well-Known Member
I've got three original candy finishes that I'm keeping. RR, CYS, CRB. Not perfect but will still look good on the street.

The Tahitian Red bike I will paint polish and restore. Painting a solid color is just a lot more forgiving than painting the candy colors.
 
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B&CMC

Member
What a timely thread...

...less than 2 hours ago, I unpacked my recent order from Beatrice Cycle. One of the parts in the box was a new OEM CRR headlight bucket for my 71 KO shown below:

CT701_zps8a14405a.jpg

This KO is totally original right down to the tires. Ain't nuthin' been replaced on this bike. It runs perfectly, but it does have some needs: seat cover (seat), fork tubes (fork rebuild), headlight bucket/rim, and handlebars. I did not plan on "restoring" this bike. The paint is pretty good with some chips and scratches. I'm ok with leaving it alone.

Unfortunately, the new headlight bucket color is quite different (new) than the rest of the bike :(. I'm perplexed.

Right now, I'm just going to have a beer and think about it.
 

Tazzilla

Member
I am the bad guy!!!! I have torn apart and parted out over 10 complete or close to complete ct70's One was a 72 ct70 Vin # CT70-2000010 I parted out here to a member that just wanted the frame and engine to restore the engine CT70E-20006 . This was the lowest vin number for any one year I have ever seen. They way I look at it is for every part I sell someone else is that much closer to having a completed bike. I have rescued a few and a few will never see the light of day again. I have had a few that were left 100% original and resold that way. I have restored one to as close to original as I could afford. So the way I look at it is it's my bike I will do what I want. I am a big fan of unmolested cherry bikes and I am a fan of fully restored bikes. I however don't care for non restored bikes that really could use a make over. Too me its like seeing a 67 mustang fastback with all original paint and interior but all the seams are splitting and the paint is sun faded to hell. Cool you have an original car but WTF restore the dam thing bring it back to life. To each his own. What ever floats your boat. I know someone who is painting a CT70 frame for someone to restore but they are installing a bunch of the original parts that are in just ok condition that I don't understand. Thats like painting the fast back and installing the old rusted bumpers and bent front grill. If you are going to do it do it as good as you can not half ass.
 

scooter

Well-Known Member
I am the bad guy!!!! I have torn apart and parted out over 10 complete or close to complete ct70's One was a 72 ct70 Vin # CT70-2000010 I parted out here to a member that just wanted the frame and engine to restore the engine CT70E-20006 . This was the lowest vin number for any one year I have ever seen. They way I look at it is for every part I sell someone else is that much closer to having a completed bike. I have rescued a few and a few will never see the light of day again. I have had a few that were left 100% original and resold that way. I have restored one to as close to original as I could afford. So the way I look at it is it's my bike I will do what I want. I am a big fan of unmolested cherry bikes and I am a fan of fully restored bikes. I however don't care for non restored bikes that really could use a make over. Too me its like seeing a 67 mustang fastback with all original paint and interior but all the seams are splitting and the paint is sun faded to hell. Cool you have an original car but WTF restore the dam thing bring it back to life. To each his own. What ever floats your boat. I know someone who is painting a CT70 frame for someone to restore but they are installing a bunch of the original parts that are in just ok condition that I don't understand. Thats like painting the fast back and installing the old rusted bumpers and bent front grill. If you are going to do it do it as good as you can not half ass.

#2000010 and it's matching engine is in good hands. Encased in a nice new paint job to preserve it for the next generation of collectors.
 

cjpayne

Well-Known Member
I like the early candy color models in mint original condition, in decent original condition, and restored Hornetgod condition. I say, if your going to modify, then still keep it to where it can be put back. Right now, I'd be estatic to get an original unmolested survivor. If it's a basket case with motor missing, then modify the living hell out of it and sell or give away the other parts to help keep the originals alive.

BTW, cheap ass China parts on these bikes piss me off and are an abomination to the Honda gods.LOL
 
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hornetgod

Well-Known Member
...less than 2 hours ago, I unpacked my recent order from Beatrice Cycle. One of the parts in the box was a new OEM CRR headlight bucket for my 71 KO shown below:

CT701_zps8a14405a.jpg

This KO is totally original right down to the tires. Ain't nuthin' been replaced on this bike. It runs perfectly, but it does have some needs: seat cover (seat), fork tubes (fork rebuild), headlight bucket/rim, and handlebars. I did not plan on "restoring" this bike. The paint is pretty good with some chips and scratches. I'm ok with leaving it alone.

Unfortunately, the new headlight bucket color is quite different (new) than the rest of the bike :(. I'm perplexed.

Right now, I'm just going to have a beer and think about it.



I see no problem with replacing the faded headlight bucket with a new one. Hold onto the old one in case a future buyer wants it.
 

cjpayne

Well-Known Member
I see no problem with replacing the faded headlight bucket with a new one. Hold onto the old one in case a future buyer wants it.
X2. Will you post pics of the original bucket? Might be able to be fixed, hopefully. There might be someone here that has an original with the right "patina".
 

theraymondguy

Well-Known Member
I like the early candy color models in mint original condition, in decent original condition, and restored Hornetgod condition. I say, if your going to modify, then still keep it to where it can be put back. Right now, I'd be ecstatic to get an original unmolested survivor. If it's a basket case with motor missing, then modify the living hell out of it and sell or give away the other parts to help keep the originals alive.

BTW, cheap ass China parts on these bikes piss me off and are an abomination to the Honda gods.LOL

Nailed it. :red70:
 

motodevo

Active Member
I have no problem if someone refinishes a bike, as long as they do it to a quality as good or better than they were new. I have more of an issue with people parting out nice original mostly complete bikes, i understand they are worth more broken up but i think anyone who does this for profit isnt a true enthusiast, I mean if everyone was into honda minis for a profit you wouldn't see all of the beautiful builds on this site because corners would be cut to save a buck and for me its the amount of work and attention to detail that makes the difference between a great resto and an exceptional one.
 

cjpayne

Well-Known Member
.....I have more of an issue with people parting out nice original mostly complete bikes, i understand they are worth more broken up but i think anyone who does this for profit isnt a true enthusiast,
That irks me a little too. A lot of the nice original bikes have disappeared because of that.:12:
 
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