Whoa easy killer! It seems to me the original question was written in a sincere and almost apologetic manner while your response seems more than a little defensive. The "enlightenment" might be more enlightening without the aggressive posturing. Or maybe it's just a language barrier thing. What the heck do I know.
Peace, love & lugs,
Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN
> 'Enlightenment IS badly needed...........
> Mr.Needleman ..What is your problem?
> I am the vendor of this frameset.
> It was built for me some 6 years ago by Ron Cooper along with some 200
plus
> others.
> I owned the rights to build these fine frames until handing them over to
> Martin Coopland of Classic Bikes last year.
> Over the 60 plus years that these frames have been produced, they have
been
> built with 'Normal' Reynolds tubing, as well as the(more commonly)
Cantiflex
> Reynolds. See the Bates 'Club' model in your catalogue and you hopefully
begin
> to be enlightened.
> The same applies to the fork blade design.
> There was never such a thing as 'Standard finish'..there may have been
> similarities, but it was always customer choice.
> This frame was built to MY SPECIFICATION ..I owned the rights..I could
> do/specify
> whatever I wanted....AND IN THIS CASE DID.!!!!!!
> The 1950s decals are COPIES....of originals. They are attractive and
> colourful and I think add to the overall excellence of the frame.
> Can I ,at this point clear -up a few things.
> Ron Cooper has built every Bates frame..Cantiflex or otherwise since 1985
> Bates frames are sequentiality numbered (with a few exceptions) from
> 1936-2003
> These numbers were issued by Peter Bates and indeed are still recorded by
him
> today.
> I am NOT going to get into the similar debate that went on for ages about
> Hetchins etc etc.
> Just to say ..the above are FACTS from someone who KNOWS.
> I trust the above clarifies the matter.
> Ray Etherton ...IF YOU PAY THE MONEY YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU PLEASE Maldon,
UK.