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I bought this Specialized Hardrock Comp on Craigslist the other day. I know it's no stuntjumper, but this thing is *MINT* It looks like someone put this thing on ice right off the factory floor in 198X. The (original) tires still have the little nubs on them!

Anyway - I am trying to date the bike. I found specialized catalogs from 1988 and 1989 that have me a little confused. As you can see, it looks like the bike has the same paint job as the Comp bikes from 1988 - only problem is that I don't think they made a Hardrock Comp in '88. The back page of the '89 catalog has a little blurb about the "newly introduced" hardrock comp. So it would seem that it would be from 1989 or newer. Maybe 1990 but I can't find this catalog. I know it isn't that important, but just a curiosity.

My next question is about how big a sin it would be to de-decal this bike. I have retored a decent number of these bikes and usually the decals are half-gone and looking shoddy, so I just pull them off and it goes a long way for the looks on these things. I am not fond of these particular hardrock decals either so I think I might remove them. But I am hesitating just because these are in such great condition.

What are the thoughts on removing decals from vintage bikes?

TenGrainBread 

It would be a shame to take decals off an NOS bike.
Having said that it's a very common bike so there's not much value that you'd be ruining by doing it. You might grow to like them though.
I personally would leave them on but it's your bike.

Bikerider007

I agree with above on the decals, colors and fonts typically ID the era so it would be taking away from the bike IMO.

Don Marco

I de-decaled a similar vintage Allez with that same sort of two-tone going on. The decals cover up the transition from white to the other color, and it's not a pretty transition. It's just a quickly applied tape line, no need for accuracy with the purple part of the decal covering it up.

DMC707

I'd leave 'er alone - that's just me though-- clean, lube, ride , enjoy , --- then repeat as many times as necessary

blakcloud

I agree with Don Marco those bikes looked terrible without the decals. I will reiterate that the middle pinkish colour is part of the decal and you will end up with a blue and white bike that with no transition between those colours.

Pompiere

Did anyone else notice the fender mounted to the brake bridge instead of the chainstay? I guess it's good to keep the spray off the kids in the trailer. I assumed the bike came this way, since the OP didn't mention fenders.