Engine cases, chrome etc. are just lowering the amount dealers and other tyre kickers will offer.
Rubbish like pitted forks will add to the strident horn and failed ashtray warning light if your MOT man thinks you are good for a few quid.
This is the sort of corrosion that will ruin your day (Warning: Harley riders and other weekend polishers should not click the link
):
https://sites.google.com/site/threewheelbonnienonbike/the-elefant-2010/the-repairsNearly got me shot on Hull docks having to bump the ******* down the ferry ramp, after four to six trips onto the hardshoulder each day all the way from Bavaria. Bodged the wiring back together, rode it for another 15 months then swapped it for the Wee.
The dealer who bought the 8 year old Bonneville from me for £1300 sold it for an unknown sum to a "tidier" who repainted the mudguards and engine and sold it for £2300 on E-bay (as one owner from new, which was mostly true
). There was no way I could get it repainted to his standard for a grand and somebody would have needed to rewire it pretty soon which I say brings the deal in my favour.
I have no regrets, I buy bikes to ride not polish, but not keeping on top of it will ruin your ride. Brands are meaningless in my experience, Enfields rot less than BMW's and the best of bunch were MZ (lots of lead in the paint no doubt). I would pay more for car levels of paint though and do feel we get ripped off.
Andy