[CR]Pacenti Lugs/Weigle Stem

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: "Jose S. Villaluz" <jose@villaluz.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 07:53:14 -0500
Subject: [CR]Pacenti Lugs/Weigle Stem

I know there are a few of you who have seen that frame in person who will vouch that the picture is horribly out of scale and depicts the stem quite out of proportion from it's appearance in reality. I'll try to dig up better pictures of it and once you see them you may realize it's quite right. The stem is one that Peter painted to match the absolutely stunning blue and white bicycle frame in the other pictures of that gallery. If you know any of Peter's work you also know that he has the kind of eye for detail and artistry that confirms the necessity of the division of labor in our wonderful hobby - those that create the art (Weigle, Sachs, Baylis, Della Santa among others) and those of us who appreciate and revere it because the talent to create is simply out of reach for the mortals that the majority of us are. Besides, frames look much better when they are built into a whole bicycle and to get a better idea of what Peter or for that matter any builder is after you should see the bicycle and all it's parts in entirety. With apologies to HRH e-Richie for quoting him without first asking, I was at Richard's shop and said that I had talked to Peter about buying that frame (the one the STEM) if he can find it in his heart to sell it to me, to which Richard replied: "that frame is exquisite and there is some work that Peter did on it that at this point I can't (implying incapable of) do". In a moment I'll probably never forget, I communicated to Peter this compliment he was paid by his contemporary from across the stream to which he replied that he was genuinely touched. I could see it. That said, if you see the frame in person you'll probably LOVE the stem that goes with it, but if you see me riding it next spring and want to offer me suggestions on which STEM you think might go better with the bike I'll be all ears too.