If you are looking at the purchase of a new Hetchins, you might want to read
this. After you have read it, check out the official Hetchins at the
Unofficial Hetchins site (sort of a fan club site for the real thing)
http://www.flashq.de/
By the way, I have owned two Hetchins, a 1938 from the Bill Ward find a few years ago, and a new one built by Jack Denny in the late 80s, one of his last, no doubt. That one is for sale again, I am told. I recall it was 22 1/2", red with blue panel, and I think it was a Magnum Opus. Neither was a keeper for me. The older one required more parts finding than I cared to do at the time, and the newer one was gorgeous but too large for me. I like to ride all my bikes once in awhile. I am still on the lookout for one 21 1/2 or 22", preferably a Denny-built.
Bob Freeman
> We are indebted to our US importer World Class Cycles for bringing to our
> attention evidence of another fake Hetchins frame now discovered in San
> Francisco.Ron Cooper has been a renowned frame builder in the UK for a
> number of decades exporting frames under his own name for many years. After
> investigation here in the UK we are convinced that if Ron had built a
> "Hetchins" frame, even he would certainly have never admitted to building
> the monstrosity shown on the JPEGS.For some time now the Hetchins, Bates
> and Flying Gate frame businesses here in the UK have been plagued by
> extremely poor imitations put on the market by a certain Mr Butler who
> lives in the Leeds/Bradford area of England. He is using an amateur welder
> come brazer to produce his fakes and we are sure the current find in San
> Francisco is one of these.We at Hetchins have warned Mr Butler on more than
> one occasion about the deceit but short of hauling a man in his 85th year
> through a very expensive legal minefield, with doubtful success, we decided
> to adopt an attitude of ignoring him, except when it is specifically
> brought to our attention.What is even more surprising to us is the amazing
> fact that there are still people out there quite happy to part with large
> amounts of cash for a product that is quite obviously a disgraceful fake!
> Authenticity is easy to establish if one takes the trouble to look.You can
> see from our JPEG pictures what a current Millennium Hetchins model looks
> like. The chainstays alone indicate which frame has genuine Reynolds drawn
> stays, not HANDBENT as in the fake frame.A Hetchins decal on the frame
> means nothing especially if its an illegally produced adhesive backed type.
> Check!A large amount of money was invested when the Hetchins name and
> rights to build the frames were obtained 15 years ago. The design patent
> expires long ago so attempting to copy the Vibrant Stays and Ornate lugwork
> is not illegal in itself. However to use the name Hetchins is breach of
> copyright. Therefore anyone crazy enough to purchase the fake frame
> currently on offer in SF should be made aware of the facts before parting
> with their hard earned dollars.The Bob Jackson connection was their right
> to build Hetchins fames under license from Alf Hetchins in the early
> 1980's. This continued after the sale of Hetchins and ceased in 1993 when
> the old Bob Jackson company went into liquidation. The new 1993 Jackson
> limited company only produce the Vibrant Stay design frame with their own
> style lugwork under the name of Legend and Super Legend.I hope this answers
> your confusion and we would be delighted to produce a genuine Hetchins
> frame to your specification via World Class Cycles.With best wishes for the
> Festive season.David Miller."