Sorry if this is off topic, a repeat or strongly put, but I wish to nip this idea in the bud.
The Bates frames that I sell are not replicas. I purchased the rights, some tube and lug stocks and transfers to manufacture Bates bicycle. This included the patents on the tube shape and fork pattern. New Cantiflexs tubing is manufactured only for us by Reynolds using the "Cantiflex" manderls to draw the tubes. Until recently Bates frames were never associated by a named builder. Now we are please to say that all are frames are built by Ron Cooper as Ron is an excellent builder and understands exactly the product we produce.
The Location and owner/management of Bates frames changed several times from it start in 1925. All of the frames they built are "Bates". If you are ever offered a newly built frame badged as a "Bates" or built using Cantiflex tubes, then please contact me to ascertain its authenticity. It is very difficult for builders to copy our Cantiflex frames and we control the tubing stock.
Regards Martin Coopland, experiencing a little rain again in Scotland