Because "hack with a grinder" is insulting to those who modify their bikes, whether you modified yours or not. I'm not the one denying reality either. Custom bikes often fetch higher price tags than stock bikes with the only exception (sometimes) being if you have a limited production/special model and factory original bike. A stock bike is a stock bike is a stock bike. The very definition means there are multiple bikes out there that look and function exactly the same. Your deduction is that all modified bikes are the same while the very definition of modified says otherwise. Bikes may be modified in a similar way or style but stock bikes are exactly the same save for factory options such as wheels and paint. You act as if every bike modified from stock is butchered by some "hack with a grinder". It's condescending, offensive and completely incorrect. It also alienates many on here who wish to modify their machines from stock. Many have built very nice low dollar custom bikes that fetch higher price tags than stock bikes. restoring a stock bike also takes much more coin and thus leaves the owner with a much smaller profit, if any at all. These are facts. I understand with time stock bikes appreciate in value as they become more rare and often modified bikes depreciate in value due to changing trends but even still modified bikes often bounce back. In the 70's panheads were a dime a dozen, now you'll pay through the nose for a period correct, heavily modified custom panhead chopper, often more than a stock panhead. One day you might pay an even higher price tag for a custom modified XS400 with "period correct" style. Some of those modified bikes are also featured in magazines, on motorcycle forums and on blogs. It's been a while since I saw a stock bike in a mag that wasn't a brand new model, save for the occasional throw back article. Yes a guy can "butcher" a bike as you put it, and many have, but a well built custom will often pull a higher price tag than a stock bike. That's why there's a massive aftermarket for motorcycle parts that aren't stock, because people like to change and modify their machines. You dismiss the fact that these bikes do actually sell at a higher price tag by saying something else offensive..."Hipsters have proven time and again that they have more money than brains by buying overpriced "art"" So just stupid hipsters with too much money buying modified bikes right? Modified bikes are simply overpriced "art"? Anybody with half a brain buys stock then? And you're confused about why those statements are insulting and offensive? It takes information and money to restore a bike to stock. Skill, devotion and perseverance are not exclusive to stock restoration motorcycle builds. All of those things plus creativity and vision are required to build a custom bike, to make something your own, to go beyond bolting on parts that came UPS. Ultimately this is his motorcycle so no, there are no wrong answers. He didn't ask how to flip this bike, he asked what to do with it...and that is completely up to him, there is no wrong answer. The bike isn't rare and plenty of stock versions exist, bobbing or chopping the bike will cost less money and if done correctly will earn him more coin in today's market of spendy hipsters with deep pockets. That said stock bikes are nice too and there's nothing wrong with having a nice stock bike.
Anyone can reject my reality and substitute there own
I have been looking on craigs list for years and doing it almost daily and most of the bikes are already "built" bikes. The xs650's which there where far more of them made are in that same situation. I have also noticed that OEM stuff even used is getting much harder to find on ebay. Most of the listings are for after market or universal parts. Often from china or with skull stickers on them
It's the best of both worlds. 
