Patina or Neglect?

[MikeP]

When getting my K75 MoT'd this morning, I had a look over this sat outside. The owner, I'm told, has quite a collection of 2-Valve Boxers.

This is showing 36,000 miles but the condition doesn't really reflect that.

Re-sizing has lost the detail but there's rust bursting through the seat cowl.

 

[Tarka]

With a bike like that,any poor condition is nothing more than piss idle neglect.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

It still looks in pretty good nick even with rust given that bike must be at least 30 years old. I have seen worse on 2 year old bikes

 

[Crapaud]

It looks OK to me, I must be missing something. Tank and silencers are shiny and no obvious damage, must be worth a few bob.

Compared to both Proff's R90s, that one looks mint and immaculate.

10

9

8

7

How long until my phone rings?

 

[VAL. H.]

It looks OK to me, I must be missing something. Tank and silencers are shiny and no obvious damage, must be worth a few bob.

Compared to both Proff's R90s, that one looks mint and immaculate.

10

9

8

7

How long until my phone rings?

Oi ees very proud of that bike ee is

Anyway talking of the old git, where's he hiding and ask him when he's going to renew his subs. I was going to pm him, spose I'll have to use the phone instead 'more expence'.....




I thought all those seventies BMs had rusty seats??? So what's the problem?


Val.

 

[Crapaud]

Got to about 3 before phone rang...

He protests that his are in fine condition

He's not renewing his subs as he can't be bothered.

He says all his friends have his phone number and can contact him directly (I think he mens both of them!).

 

[Ogmios]

hrumph!

i reckon me and Proff could communicate by one of us merely thinking about it.

... so,
the info i have about my old Guzzi gearbox being in the vicinity of Tiverton and in need of a new home may get me an eMail or phone call or... headache.



oh,
back to the topic;
my Guzzi is 20 year old now. is pretty much intact, could do with a paintjob, if i was fussy (i'm not) and a good polish - but otherwise is 'structurally sound'.

 

[MattW]

Neglect.

Patina reflects the passage of time and decades of use by sympathetic owners more concerned with using than keeping it looking like it had just come out of the showroom.

The bike above reflects a lack of sympathy and maintenance.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

lokks a bit like an old mate of mine. He had a 90s from new and rode it into the ground he was a traffic bobby in Cheshire and died about 20 years ago, Told him he shouldnt smoke, His bike was pretty ratty and was never cleaned but believe me it went like stink, Is the one above anywhere near Cheshire?

 

[MikeP]

Is the one above anywhere near Cheshire?

No. It's in the South Hams.

There's a lot to indicate that the mileage is accurate on close inspection; eg the footpeg rubbers are hardly worn but are cracking with age and the seat cover looks original pattern yet has very few creases in it.

The photos don't show it but there's rust breaking through the upper surfaces of the tank as well as the seat cowl. That suggests to me that it sits unused and uncovered (or somewhere damp) for a long time.

It's a shame because it has gone beyond the point where a good clean and polish would bring it back and yet preserve some patina of age. It needs a restoration and then it would probably end-up not getting much use.

 

[England-Kev]

Damn, I hope you guys never see my bike, you will have me convicted of cruelty to airheads

 

[Crapaud]

The photos don't show it but there's rust breaking through the upper surfaces of the tank as well as the seat cowl. That suggests to me that it sits unused and uncovered (or somewhere damp) for a long time.

What a tragic way to look after a classic airhead. But at least it does appear to get used at least a little bit. Imagine if it was just kept in a damp shed and never used, but nobody would treat classic airheads like that would they?

Mike, ask him if he wants to sell it before it gets completely past the point of no return.