Re: [CR](was) 1963 Peugeot PX-10 (now) Original "Patina"

(Example: Framebuilders:Cecil Behringer)

From: <TADCPDAJD@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 21:43:56 EST
Subject: Re: [CR](was) 1963 Peugeot PX-10 (now) Original "Patina"
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 2/1/2003 8:46:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, John Pergolizzi writes in response to Morgan Fletcher:
> Remember: once original is lost, its lost.

I just spent two months wrestling with this idea. I was fortunate enough to recently acquire e-RICHIE's 22nd RS bike. It was in very interesting shape; largely unridden in almost 28 years, but nicked and chipped from storage/handling/etc., as well as filthy. It had last been ridden in a sandy environment and put away like that (oil, sand, dust, lots of dust). There were so many chips I wanted to have it repainted. I had asked e-RICHIE who had painted it, and it had been a local Connecticut painter, so I thought it would be a favor to the bike, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to keep the original patina. Also, because I couldn't get the freewheel off (thanks to everyone who responded to that question), I kind of eased into the maintenance of the original. So I took it all apart (except the freewheel), cleaned it, greased it and put it back together. I did replace the Avocet saddle with a Brooks Team Pro, and the Dia Compe Gran Compe brakes with Campagnolo NRs, and the tired brake cables, but otherwise left it alone. It came with early Phil Wood bottom bracket and hubs (& Mavic Module E rims), early gen Dura Ace crankset and Crane RD, SunTour Cyclone (endless band) FD and DT levers, Campagnolo headset and seatpost, Cinelli old logo bars and stem, TA Plum cage, and Silca Impero pump with Campagnolo head. I put new Continental tires and tubes on it and took it on a 20 miles shakedown cruise today. I believe it to be Reynolds 531 tubing, and it had a very fine ride to it. I had an epiphanic moment realizing this was brazed up by a young man not yet 25. I have other Sachs bikes built by a young man refining his craft, and by a man approaching 50, near the height of his skills. Each is elegant: a work of art in my eyes, yet, also a tool to allow me to spin, and breathe, and reach, and see. It extends me beyond me, and leaves me exhilarated. I used to think I wanted "one of this" and "one of that" and "one of something else" but I might be perfectly content riding one Richard Sachs
bike after another.
Tom Donahue
Melbourne, FL