I agree with Richard Farrant - "lived -in" paintwork wins every time and seems to draw most interest and admiration from the non-afflicted. Even better looking with plenty of mud - mine still has Arromanche sand adhering to its nether regions!

Whereas I like a thorough and complete rebuild including a full respray..That's the winner for me...
After a few years use the bike 'ages' gradually into a more used look in much the same way as a 'new' M20 would have and if adherence to a relatively original looking 'factory' specification is the aim a spray paintjob has to be the way...The factory didn't brush paint them after all...

However, all this is just getting into the never ending debate...Do it how you want and accept there is no 'right' way but a range of alternatives...'My history is more valid than your history' isn't really an arguement that will ever bear fruit.... I'm looking forward to the day when I see a metallic purple M20 chopper built in the 70s and owned by someone who decided that bit of his bikes history had the most validity and was worth preserving...Maybe he will be right and we're all wrong, that 70s chop job would be as much part of the bikes history as it's military service at the end of the day...:laughing: :laughing:..Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

You are not far off there Rob.

In the 50's I was in REME and for the annual inspections we were given gallon tins of paint and 3" brushes and told to get on with it. QL's, Ford 3 tonners, Land Rovers, bikes, all got the treatment.

This was in the days when all your kit, every last item, including tool boxes had to be laid out on the tarmac square for inspection, regardless of the weather!

Baz

email (option): binnawan@iinet.net.au

Straight from delivery is also a 'genuine wartime finish'...It's a view on the 'ex factory' or 'after some sevice debate' that will probably determine what someone prefers but it's not an historical absolute...
I'm always amazed how proponents of an 'in sevice' look seem to think that adds some kind of 'extra credibility' to a machine...I don't get it, they are all wartime production....I'd like a brand new one out of the crate if they were available and I'd add some 'in service' finish later...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Maybe the best finish, is the owners interpretated look?
And as long as they are happy it would be cruel to belittle their efforts.
M20 purple Chopper, I wonder if a local chap still has it? ;)

Mark

email (option): pes.sales@btconnect.com