Checklist before modifying or restoring vintage gear

Before a modification, major repair or restoration, ask:

• what is the actual problem or objective?
• is the intervention necessary or simply desired?
• is there a reversible solution?
• will it require drilling, routing, cutting or other permanent changes?
• which original parts will be removed?
• can they be retained and identified?
• is specialist work required?
• have you photographed the starting condition?
• will you receive a list of work and replaced parts?
• how will the correct description of the item change after the intervention?

The guiding principle is simple: improve usability without unnecessarily losing information.