[CR]Originality

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: <StuartMX4@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 05:06:48 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Originality

Getting off list and writing about cars only confuses the issue. I doubt if anyone these days seriously races a classic Ferrari unless they have the dosh for a new crank, rods, pistons, valves, camshafts and so on. There are plenty of Paddy's Knife vintage cars which are racing actively and are one hundred percent original except for rebuilt body to replace the one which rotted and rusted, new block and head, new chassis side members, new radiator because the old one got stuffed into the Silverstone Armco and so on. Where does that leave bicycles? The patina of an unrestored 1950 Gillot and the fact that it was made where it was, when it was and by whom is of immense value, but half a century is half a century. Things wear out! The number of mid twentieth century bikes in original condition must diminish. Carefully cocooning them would preserve them as artefacts but not as bicycles. A Ferrari racing car which does not race is arguably not a racing car at all and an unridden bike is just an interesting collection of tubes to block a gap in a hedge. You repaint if you have to, replace worn out bits when you can and let someone else have it if you are not going to use it. Paintings are for looking at; cars and cycles are for use.... even if that means that originality slips. I think that the issue is confused in Classic Rendezvous exchanges by the fact that most of the bikes discussed are comparatively new. If I am still alive in the year 2030, write in and confirm that you still have such purist ideas on unsullied originality. As it is, our love for originality is being exploited by some dealers who buy very very cheap and sell very very dear. Laugh at high reserves on e-bay and keep your money in your pocket. If you are good at maths, work out how many hours you had to work to buy a new Sturmey hub in 1938 and then how many you have to work to buy the same now with sixty odd years of wear. Stop fretting about repro rubber and start getting annoyed about exploitation. Stuart Tallack just down the road from classic Goodwood