Hello All. I dropped the ball on a of couple deals. About 15 years ago or so I answered an ad in Velo News regarding a 50s chrome plated Hetchins Magnum Bonum Track bike and a Legnano Pista from the same era. Since the Hetchins was a 19" frame, I was considering it for my wife. Unfortunately, the bike was in a minor collision and suffered a mildly bent downtube. The seller sent me pics and assured me the that the tube had been "oh so carefully" rolled out. Judging by the pics he sent me, I could not see any damage on the downtube. My machinist friend and former frame builder offered to replace the tube. I called the seller and told him the check for $175.00 was on the way (gone are the days!!). I informed my wife(then girlfriend) of the deal and showed her the pictures of the beautiful chrome Hetchins with headtube lugs that formed a heart shape when they came togther. When she asked if the frame had ever been crashed and I mentioned the downtube having been rolled, she wanted nothing to do with the frame despite the promise of a tube replacement. I contacted the seller, who just finished packing the frame. He was so pissed at me, he hung up the phone! There was also the 52cm Masi Special that I passed up for $375.00. It was in excellent conditon. Too small for me to big for the Mrs. By the way Brian if you are reading this, can you please send me the photos back of this bike? Thanks. Happy Holidays,
Dave Martinez
70 degrees in Oakland
Ca. today