The desecration of two classics?

Like it or not the classic world is full of sterile restorations. Pretty much every form of classic motorcycle known to mankind has been the subject of a 100 point perfect renovation at some time or another. A few are better than others but the point is there are more than enough so-called ‘restorer references’ on the classic circuits. Peripheral bystanders have already questioned the apparent morality of the Hybrid project. Some might argue that by installing a 500 motor in a 250 frame we are somehow conspiring to deprive the scene of two perfectly decent and potentially restorable classics. Sorry but here’s the reality… it genuinely does not matter if a large frameless motor is installed in a smaller engineless chassis. These are massproduced consumer items that were, when new, largely treated in the same manner as an old television/washing machine/refrigerator. There will always be another compatible frame and motor available ready to be reunited by someone. Even if the supply chain is not truly limitless there’s more than enough projects out there. All that changes is the ease with which they’re found and the cost to acquire them. Many a restorer buys several bikes of the same ilk to ensure they have everything they need for the rebuild and no one seems to give a toss about what happens to the leftovers. Who knows? It might just be that Project Hybrid is using just those discarded parts! Now how’s that for a spot of recycling?