Original patina or new paint -opinions wanted

[dmftoy1]

Ok, I've got a nice low mileage (19k) 74 R90/6 and I'm having a blast working on it and trying to make it look better. The paint on the fenders is in reasonable shape and I could probably live with the paint on the side covers and sides of tank but I "think" its going to drive me nuts looking at the top. (picture embedded in my "what to look for" thread.)

So I know that 30 years from now the original paint will make it much more valuable, but in all honesty I doubt that I'll own the bike or be riding in 30 years. So what would you do, paint the bike or live with it? If I paint the bike am I hurting anything to go to another factory color for that year?

Last question is . . .do you know of anyone who specializes in repainting these tins and most importantly making them look original? (do they hand pinstripe them too?). Any idea of the cost? I know to do Harley tins it was in the neighborhood of $2k

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[8ninety8]

Many years ago picked up '74R90S, it was a mess of cobbled together pieces. Tank had some bad gashes, fenders weren't too bad, a few nicks, frame the same.

Got out can of black enamel, took care of the wear marks on frame. Original paint was just too kool to strip, so carefully filled the gashes, built them up, wet sanded them down, rattle canned the areas, wet sanded again, a few times that is, clear coated the area, got out rubbing compound/wax, you get the picture.

And today it's got pateena! Recently parked it at a sort-a classic free for all, and whadaya think? Lookers thought the paint was super. And from twenty feet it looks like a magazine cover.

We're riding these airheads, makem too perfect and it's no fun. Now if it gets a scratch, just fill it and rub it out. Throw leg over seat, find bike museuum, look at perfect bikes. Throw leg over seat again, ride home.

[bmweuro]

It's only original once. I would leave the paint and clean up everything else. I have been doing that to my R60/5 and it's turning out pretty nice even with old faded paint.

[DakotaMike]

It's up to you. Mine is getting a little battle worn and when the time comes I will repaint it and refurbish some parts like the wheels. Mine will never be in a museum and I don't care about its value or originality so much. It gets ridden and I want to ride a good looking bike, a nick and a scratch here and there won't ruin my day.

[lmo1131]

It's only original once.

It was nice when it was new, and now it isn't. Paint it! It deserves to look nice.

My '73 R75 is on it's fourth paint job.

[dmftoy1]

Thanks guys - I'm going to continue to work out the mechanical gremlins (arent' many) and save my pennies, by the time I have enough to pay for the new paint I'll probably know a whole heck of a lot more . .. might even see what kind of life I can bring back. The bike does look really good from about 30 feet away ..it's when you get on it to ride that you go "oh my". (scored some new OEM handlebars yesterday for a song so that flaking chrome pitted nastiness will be gone by winter. )

[georgej]

I had my RS repainted using the correct Glasurit paint color and code. I hope i spelled that correctly.The painter taped over the original pinstripes,removed the tape and clearcoated it.Not original,not correct I know. But it looks nice and clean.I bought the bike to ride and if I lose a little of what I have into it,(actually I have way more $ into this bike than it's worth)I can say I've owned and enjoyed the bike.I would paint it if I were you.Especially if she's black.I love the look of the black with white pinstripes on a /6.

[PAS]

Do what will make you happy. My 81 R100RT originally was smoked green and now lives as a dark metallic blue. It has 164,000 on it.

[RINTY]

Dave:

I think retention of patina may be an issue on a machine that's fairly rare, but otherwise, doing a re paint isn't going to hurt value down the road.

Also, it's clear that the paint deterioration on your bike is detracting from your enjoyment of it.

Before you re paint, I would suggest taking pictures, so you can prove to a buyer that there was no prior damage.

[kantuckid]

So the green with the black edge is OEM? Smoked as brewski says. There are people on this forum(me included) & you have the web obviously, that can walk you through the whole process of painting your bike. You'll spend far less & get a result you can like if you are willing to spend the time. In my area I have friends that own AB shops that would paint it for you for not much with you doing all the prep & you reinstalling the parts, which is not to say it's practical to ship the parts just saying as an e.g.. The materials are pricy but not cost prohibitive. Do you have a place to paint that can be relatively dust free for a short while? If so, sand it down, primer, paint and so on. Do it!

[88bmwjeff]

I think this topic is almost as bad as an oil thread. Not quite, but almost.

While a vehicle with patina is cool to look at, so is a nicely restored one. Since you purchased the bike to ride it, and not be a museum piece, I would not worry about the resale pluses and minuses of repainting the bike at this point and time. Do what makes you happy.

[Prof. Robert]

Dave:

I think retention of patina may be an issue on a machine that's fairly rare, but otherwise, doing a re paint isn't going to hurt value down the road.

Also, it's clear that the paint deterioration on your bike is detracting from your enjoyment of it.

Before you re paint, I would suggest taking pictures, so you can prove to a buyer that there was no prior damage.

Taking the pictures before repainting is a good idea, Rinty.

[toooldtocare]

Do what will make you happy. My 81 R100RT originally was smoked green and now lives as a dark metallic blue. It has 164,000 on it.

Sweet

[kantuckid]

I think this topic is almost as bad as an oil thread. Not quite, but almost.

While a vehicle with patina is cool to look at, so is a nicely restored one. Since you purchased the bike to ride it, and not be a museum piece, I would not worry about the resale pluses and minuses of repainting the bike at this point and time. Do what makes you happy.

I think as a "listener", you failed the test. The OP said,"he was having a blast" working on the bike & that infers that the idea of painting it or not is a possible part of that involvement. E.g., when I build a rocking chair I get far more personal pleasure from building the chair than sitting in it as I'm a doer, not a sitter.
Your making the OP's original question into a wash it or ride it thread not another oil thread let him paint or ride or paint & then ride

[69ZEFF65]

At times I find it hard to fully enjoy the restored or new paint bikes. You tend to worry about hitting rain or loading up for a camping trip or even leaving the bike out in front of a restaurant for fear that somebody else will get the privilege of inflicting the first wound on the new paint.

I have a couple W 650's that I bought new and get pretty sensitive about the nice paint getting damage whenever they come out for a run up the road.

The R 90, /5 and R 50S all wear the original but far from perfect paint and I think they are just as nice as the shinny bikes and I don't worry to much about being behind the dump truck full of dirt or if I spill a little gas on the tank or even when I do a little work on one and slip with a tool and give it another ding.

Holt BMW will give you a factory correct paint & stripe job but you will have to be patient and willing to pay for it. He does my show bike stuff but I have found some very talented local guys to do the riders and you can't tell the difference.