Sympathetic early road/club restoration

It's survived for 60-80 years with paint.

How long will it last without?

It would be a shame if a trendy (cosmetic) choice made you the last possible user. Restoration would suggest replacing paint and plating. Preservation would have left the 'historical' finish in situ but addressed any defects that might allow corrosion. Stripping and oiling is not a long term solution, no matter how much you like the look - your choice of course, but I would plan a more appropriate finish at some point before bare/cool/rad becomes rusty/needing major work.

agreed I wasn't making it as a trendy cosmetic choice as it had already been stripped, I guess I was thinking more along the lines (as you are) of wanting to preserve it while also not giving it a disingenuous make over

it doesn't need to look perfect or brand new but I do want it to be weather and fairly user resistant :3

would it be sacrilege to powered coat the frame? dose anyone do stove bake enamelling any more on this scale or is a simple paint job the more historically accurate? and if so where is good and reasonable these days?