I like building survivors, but where do you draw the line on building a survivor or doing a restore? Of course money is the number one issue. Now I guess the general description of a survivor would mean a complete bike with the original components. My opinion is, if you have the frame with the correct forks you could build a survivor. Afterall, it is freestyle and many of us changed up our parts back in the day. The biggest issue I would say is the paint and decals. I guess that would also depend on how rare the bike may be and if stickers are readily available. In this case, they are. Well here are a few photos, you tell me what you think, build it up, or strip it down.

Personally, I'd clean it up and build it. Paint looks to be in nice shape, as does the chrome.

That is my orginal plan. I love your avitar, I have an aqua General Pro Hustler that I am also putting together in survivor status.

that one should stay OG

That's sweet and I'd just clean it up and build it.

Even though you've got a nice, original rear brake, I'd switch it over to a Dia-Compe 901 for two reasons: The first being the highly personal reason that I like to cruise with my right pedal to the back. The 901's pull mechanics are on the left side and stay away from my right ankle which is generally in that brakebridge area. Secondly, it would better serve cosmetically to run a brake cable along the left side of your toptube and somewhat conceal and/or detract from the paint chips and scratches there which you fortunately don't have elsewhere on the frame.

So me, yeah; I'd say it's a keeper. Maybe just because I'm frugal and lazy. That's a distinct possibility.

Sounds good guys. I'm glad you guys agree with my first thought. One thing I'm surprised at, no one asked me if I had the correct forks for it!

I would say it all depends on how much money you want to put into it and whether or not you plan on riding it.

True, and I have given that lots of thought. I figure, build it up for now and share the photos with everyone here. If, down the road I decide to go for a restore, I can.

Adam, keep it as a survivor, it looks soooo good as is.

I can't stand restored bikes..keep it as is..thats super nice !

ya i say build it up as is...
if you restored it then chances are that you probly wouldnt ride it as you would be too scared to scratch it..

That one is in way too good of shape to really mess with. Maybe touch it up if you think you can exactly match it.

I could go either way here. It is in pretty good shape but it really is up to you. It is fun to have things rechromed and/or painted/powdered. They come back to you looking brand new. There's a joy there. What if you really want to restore something? Should you hold out and wait around to find a hopeless case or just do it to something you already have that is less than perfect?
I picked up a pretty nice 85 RL-20 a while back. The original radberry paint and decals were already stripped. I guess I lucked out with this perfect restoration candidate. Off to Chip she goes.

Keep it as is....for sure. That is a great survivor!

Beautiful bike.

Survivor build it is! Winning hands down. I'm glad everyone thinks it's in that good of shape. I do have the correct forks. I don't have the correct handlebars, but I'm not really worried about that. It will have a red forklifter stem.

lookin sweet as is, its really in pretty nice shape considering it is a 20+ year old paint. It would find its way onto my display shelf as a frameset if it was mine...

It's going to be sweet when it's done. I fought with myself for a long time on choosing some of the components, especially the wheels, but all that is laid out now. Once I get my bike room back in order I'll work on getting her finished.

As far as wheels go: Peregrines of RL Edge? Do tell.

I wouldnt go the full resto route either...but arent those all chrome underneath ?? you may have a new looking "chrome" RL hiding under that paint ?? Paint doesnt look to bad either though imo...

Yeah the thought of all chrome crossed my mind, but only briefly. I have enough chrome projects for the time being so I will leave it as is.

Hey JiveHandle, as far as wheels go, I do have some peregrine masters hanging around, but I'm saving them for something a little more "high end". In fact, the one pair of peregrines I own have been mine since day one. Bought for me by my parents back in the eighties.

Clean up, wax up and at the very most, hook up a new decal set. I love how Redline made classic decal sets readily available to us. ARE YOU LISTENING GT? HARO? DIAMOND BACK?

Dude I'd go with Masters for this one, and skip the detangler as well. This baby is going to be gorgeous.

For real???? You think this baby is worthy of the Masters???? Oh, I don't know....

Nothin' looks better than Masters on a Redline

This is true....

That Redline should stay OG, it's much cooler as it is.

Adam, I hope those Peregrines are white...ideal for this F/F.



Yeah, what sunburn said!

UPDATE: Well right now the RL20a is getting a new headset and chain put on.