Re: [CR] I.D. or frame # stamped on headtube

(Example: Books:Ron Kitching)

From: <RaleighPro531@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:41:03 EDT
Subject: Re: [CR] I.D. or frame # stamped on headtube
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 8/27/2002 11:52:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, GPVB1@cs.com writes:


> Mebbe I just don't get it, but why on earth would anyone want the serial
> number of a frame obliterated, unless they were trying to cover-up
> illegitimate ownership?
>
> Would you re-stamp the same number somewhere else? Would it then look like
> a
> forgery of a Pog?
>

I don't think I'd remove the serial number, but I'd probably fill it in. I'm not sure why we must assume evil intent. There are lots of frames with details changed, probably mostly in the way of braze-ons added for the water bottles or shifters. Is that wrong? For some it is. Others see it as an enhancement. If you have a mint Confente I doubt anyone would tell you to grind anything off. But, what if I turn up one at a flea market? chipped, dinged, rust on the braze-ons; then what? I would probably grind them off and go clamp-on and never look back. I think some previous remarks don't take in account for the condition some of these old bikes are found in.

Pete Geurds
Douglassville, PA