What does 'Fully Restored' mean?

[Paul in NZ]

Personally - I'm a bit confused by this... Its a nice bike but I would not describe it as fully restored... would you???

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=303362268

[onearmedbandit]

The question is, 'fully restored' to what? He doesn't actually state, so it could mean fully restored to the condition it was in last week.

[Jantar]

To me it means all original parts with no sign of damage or wear. Not necessarily in new showroom condition, but should be close to it. The main thing is that there is nothing that could be considered a make do repair anywhere.

[Paul in NZ]

I think we have to look at this in the context of classic vehicles. To me this is renovated to a high starndard. Restored means original specification... I mean getting the colour right would be a start?

[davebullet]

Agreed. Restored = as it would have rolled out the factory gates. That means you expect to see it leaking oil and squidgy brakes

[Paul in NZ]

Agreed. Restored = as it would have rolled out the factory gates. That means you expect to see it leaking oil and squidgy brakes

Sigh..... Probably true but those late 500's were pretty good bikes... Pretty quick but just seemed to wear out fast

[DEATH_INC.]

Agreed. Restored = as it would have rolled out the factory gates. That means you expect to see it leaking oil and squidgy brakes

Thats what I'd say too. especially the oil and brakes bit.

[Paul in NZ]

Thats what I'd say too. especially the oil and brakes bit.

Um - those TLS triumph brakes can lock the front tyre ... Its harder now 'cos you cant get asbestos shoes but once you get used to non power assisted braking you can stop quickly...

[toycollector10]

I think I should be very careful about commenting adversely on another mans restoration.

But I can see a few things that I would fix prior to calling if fully restored if I owned it.

The pictures on TM are pretty descriptive. Anyone who has been to a bike show will know what a Fully Restored bike looks like.

Draw your own conclusions.

P.S. Sometimes with these TM listings the images are quite good pixel-wise. I save what I want into a folder then open the pictures with a picture program such as Coral and enlarge them as much as I can. The small detail then fills the screen and you can see properly what you are dealing with.

[FJRider]

A phrase often used on Trade Me ... "In Mint Condition" ...

"Mint" obviously comes in various values .... as ...it would seem "Fully Restored"

[Ocean1]

Restored means put into a condition where a semi-blind but temporarily wealthy purchaser might just be convinced it was barely as good as it needed to be to impress his mates.

Fully restored means ALL of the various bits have been so fucked.

If I wanted sommat old and shiny I’d rather start from scratch.

[Paul in NZ]

I think I should be very careful about commenting adversely on another mans restoration..

Thats very true and I feel a bit stink making this the example. This is not about this bike in particular (sorry, should have been clearer and now I really feel stinker) .... But then again, deliberately witholding known info or mis representing something as something it is not in an effort to get a premium price is also something people should be carefull about.

In this particular example, while I'm sure that is a very very nice bike and its certainly one I'd like to ride - there are many (many) NON 1970 T100C bits present that I can see and I'm not an expert on the 500's. My own efforts in this regard are probably laughable by comparison and my own 1970 bike is a real mix n match job (and proud of it too). I'll happily use any old bolt and change what I don't like but I'm 100% upfront about it as was the guy that sold me the bike all those years back but the real money belongs to authentic bikes and one mans 'upgrade' is another mans disaster...

[Motu]

Restored (where does this ''fully'' thing come from?) has changed in expectations over the years - from rebuilt to original specs to now days being in better condition than when it was rolled out the doors.The craftsmen of the old days are gone,replaced by materials and the machines to work them,so that components can be reproduced of far better quality than the original.Personally I don't like modern day restorations,they are just too perfect,making us nitpickers get on our hands and knees with magnifying glasses and a laptop to google how it should really be.Just give me a good honest bike - I think the Triumph in question is not bad,I don't see too much to get upset about.

And I think talking to the owner in person would be a bit more enlightening,so much is lost and wrongly interpreted over the internet.

[sidecar bob]

My favourite is "Good condition for age" Is there some kind of pro-rata system im not aware of, where a vehicle can become a bit more fucked every year & yet still be described as in good condition?

[Paul in NZ]

Oh gawd - I'm just digging a deeper hole for myself here.... I give up, lets just pretend this thread never happened and I'll crawl back under my rock....