I have a site that is well established, but really doesn't bring in much for income. It's been the same topic/category for 10 years. I see an opportunity to switch gears and generate quick, short lasting income. I could also stay in the same gear, and generate less income over a longer period of time, with much more work.

If I switched gears and ran the course on the other idea (6 months to a year), what kind of consequences would I see when I switched back to the original content?

I know at the moment my site is used as reference in a limited capacity. I've also been 3/4 of the way to finishing the full plan for it's current incarnation, but that process has been going on for years.

And why wouldn't I just start a new site? The domain name fits the new idea like a glove.