Lot's of people "restore" just by simply buying new parts (NOS or replica) without much craftsmanship involved, and in the end with not much of the original bike left. In this case however I agree with your welder and with what people have written i the thread. By another one. It is not that hard to weld some new fins on, but to get i to look good and to hold up for vibration and perhaps "the odd slip of the spark plug-wrench" it's quite a task.
And if you think of it the other head that you by could just as well have been the next one in the pile to be mounted. Had the workers just taken their toilet break in a different order the head you buy might have been the original part on your bike! :grinning:
There is a better than average chance that the head has been replaced in the first place.
Put the old head in your shed with a lable on it because there is a slight chance it will be repairable for a reasonable price one day.
Usually I would see 1/2 dozen M20 heads , short a few fins at every swap meet .
If you are building the bike to look at then leave the old head there for authentic patina
If you are intending to ride it to places that are more than about 1 hour away replace it.
Those iron heads get hot enough as it is let alone when missing 1/2 their fins.
I'm building the bike to ride, but want it to start out as good as I can make it. It'll have to earn its dents then.
I've seen a range of views about repairing old cast iron. The common factor looks to be the time and cost of repairing this head. I'll hang onto it: there may just be a series of Weld Off being planned.
As ever, thanks to all who've replied; it's appreciated!
