also..........I like your idea of Preservation, just clean it up really well, original patina, right?
Yep, exactly. No repainting, no polishing engine covers, etc. Just the natural state of the bike, but cleaned, tuned, and with all systems to spec. Used some Meguiar's Cleaner Wax on the tank, fork headlight tubes, sidecovers, and they cleaned up really nice! I did paint the battery box because there was some rust on it from acid getting on it. Had to stop the rust so sandblasted and painted that. Everything else has just been cleaned up and adjusted to spec, leaking seals replaced, carbs rebuilt, steering stem disassembled and regreased, same w/swingarm, forks disassembled and rebuilt, etc. All nuts and bolts cleaned and wire-wheeled. Cosmetically it's just a cleaned up version of what it is, a 40-year-old bike with a few dents, scratches, and etc. I like 'em stock, and I don't like them too "perfect", so this one is ideal.
Of course some stuff needed out-and-out replacement. Like the rear shocks, totally sacked out and screwed up...got some new lookalike repros. And the exhaust...came with a rotted out Jardine 4 into 2 that was loud as hell. Found 4 header pipes for a 350F on eBay and am having a buddy make some custom collectors for me to put them into a 2 into 1 to a Dunstall-type muffler on each side. Of course new tires and tubes. Etc. But you get the idea, replace the stuff that you've got no choice, but otherwise don't over-buff stuff and repaint things that have some scratches in 'em, let them be! Those are what give the bike character!
My opinion only, your mileage may vary, etc. etc. etc.
Re: the bike and car, it spent the last 20 years or so near St. Charles MI, which is a touch west of the thumb. That's where the PO lived/where I bought it.
