I too agree with Phil here. I have made some very nice bicycles for customers but really, my best ideas are yet to be accomplished. Most likely I will have to find the time and money and do it for myself. I do enjoy the customers that give me quite a bit of ley way to do what I want but everyone has a tolerance (money wise) and this generally prevents the wild and crazy stuff.
Also, I wanted to pipe in on the extended head tube, which commission I will take subject. I take all kinds of jobs. I do push away some of the odder entries. Occasionally I have had to say no or I will quote a very high price or turnaround hopefully deterring this customer. Would I like to build lug classically styled bikes exclusively? sure but I take the TIG welded work, the MTB's, the giant sized bicycles because I have to eat and pay the bills. Its that simple. I could get on my high horse and say no to all of these but I would be out of work pronto. As it is now, I am constantly working side jobs to make ends meet.
I did just complete my first bike with an extended head tube. It was for a gentleman about 70 who needed his bars quite high and still wanted a traditional look. I thought it was warranted in this case. The pictures are terrible and I will have some new ones soon, but basically all the lugs, fork crown etc. are stainless and hand cut. I wasn't so pleased with the execution of the extension and I would do it a little different next time but that's what its all about. You have to constantly learn and change the way things are done to improve.
Some preview pics are at:
http://www.bohemianbicycles.com/
Dave Bohemian ----- Original Message ----- From: Philcycles@aol.com To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 9:46 AM Subject: Re: Fight pickin' ... Re: [CR]Quiet again
In a message dated 5/23/01 8:10:01 AM, CYCLESTORE@aol.com writes:
<< The best work from custom work shops is commissioned by the buyer, not the builder. I would guess David Bohm and Richard Sachs best work came from their best customer (if you can define that) that was willing and able to pay for it. >>
Oh, boy! I get to start one! My best work-not highest quality but most elaborate and thought out-is for myself. My customers (with one exception) are not normally willing to spend the time and/or money for this sort of stuff. And I don't mean just work time but time spent defining just what you want. I've made nice bikes for customers but not as nice as my own because I really know just what I want. And it's very hard to draw that sort of thing out of a person because they may not know the range of choices available to him and the education process takes as long as building the bike. I like to do it but it's tough to get a customer to go along. Phil Brown
_______________________________________________
Classicrendezvous mailing list
Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
http://www.bikelist.org/