Re: [CR]originality vs rideability

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PX-10LE)

From: "peter naiman" <hetchinspete@hotmail.com>
To: ojv@earthlink.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]originality vs rideability
Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002 05:19:10


I could leave the dropouts alone and go with a SA Hub, but the drpouts make the bike incorrect. Adding SA hub would be correct for the period, but the frame has been altered, probably because of a prior accident. So I figure making it a custom makes more sense, but I will consider your advice. I do have Sturmey Archer parts that I could use. Peter Naiman of Hetchins Boston, Mass


>From: Anvil Bikeworks <ojv@earthlink.net>
>To: peter naiman <hetchinspete@hotmail.com>,
><classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: Re: [CR]originality vs rideability
>Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 22:13:42 -0700
>
>Since it's a 55, I'd leave the dropouts as is and pick up a nice Sturmey
>Archer hub for it. An FC or FM model would be nice.
>
>Cheers!
>Don Ferris
>Littleton, CO 4" of new powder which will be gone by noon tomorrow.
>
> > From: "peter naiman" <hetchinspete@hotmail.com>
> > Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002 05:01:18
> > To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > Subject: [CR]originality vs rideability
> >
> > I recently purchased a 1955 Hetchins Magnum Opus Phase 2 from the UK,
>the
> > bike is stunning with a very fine repaint and rechrome. The decals are
>not
> > quite right as the seat tube decal is a 1952 Coronation. The jpgs sent
>to me
> > were somewhat in detail, so I went ahead with the purchase. Upon
>receiving
> > it, I noticed the the rear dropouts were not right. They are shortreach
> > horizontal Campag from post 1975. Also, the derailleur tab had been cut
>of
> > prior to rechroming. A proper derailleur hangar from the era cannot be
> > fitted, as the dropout is to short. The seller has offered to either
>take
> > the cycle back or make good financially on the repair cost. I've decided
>to
> > give to Bike to Peter Mooney to have a tab brazed on and have the hangar
> > painted to match the frame colour. The MO will be built with a mostly
>1969
> > Campag NR group, but with a very nice NOS highflange HI-E wheelset.
>Fully
> > built as a "Custom Bike" this will be a real head turner. I wrote flash
>of
> > the Hetchins Site and the following was his reply. I'd like other
>opinions
> > as well.
> > Hetchinspete
> > Alias Peter Naiman
> > Boston, Mass
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> > Peter, The 'purist' old-timer autmobile scene probably thinks that the
>hot
> > rod scene does horrible things to Model A Fords, but I've seen some
>stunning
> > hot rods. Owning a vintage bicycle, Hetchins or otherwise, sooner or
>later
> > raises the issue of originality vs rideability. To keep an old-timer in
> > absolutely original condition is laudable and, for the sake of future
> > generations, highly valuable as a piece of historical evidence. On the
>other
> > hand, if you want to ride it, you have to admit that 1950s brakes just
> > aren't safe on the road anymore. If someone ahead of you with dual
>pivots
> > slams on his brakes, and you have spongy old Universals or Mafac Racers,
>you
> > will likely ram into him and bung up both bikes. I understand and
>appreciate
> > both points of view. As a dedicated fence-sitter myself, I have both
> > variations in my Hetcins stable. I have 3 in as original a condition as
> > possible (modern 27" rims, couldn't find any old Fiamme Red Labels in
>decent
> > condition), and two in slightly modernized condition (indexed gears,
>dual
> > pivot brakes) for riding and showing off and turning heads and so on.
> >
> > Now, getting back to your bike, I find it curious that the previous
> >> owner had the derailleur tab filed off. Did he run a fixed gear on it?
> >> Fixed-gear people are a breed apart (Andrew Moore, Sheldon Brown, et
>al).
> >> Have you considered keeping the bike in fixed-gear trim? It's not as
>though
> >> you don't have enuf other bikes to hang NOS Campy stuff on, right?
> >> Re-brazing a filed-off tab onto the dropout may bugger the chrome on
>the
> >> chainstay, due to the re-heating. Do you want to risk that?
> >
> > As a 'hot rod' show bike, I'd say anything is permitted. Since the
> > triangle has been altered anyway, it will never be an original condition
> > bike, so go for it, I say! Make it the best damned head turner at the
>show.
> > But document everything you do to it, otherwise some future curator of
>the
> > Historic Hetchins web site is going to have nightmares trying to figure
>out
> > what it is.
> >
> > Flash
> > http://www.hetchins.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
>

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