Dear Listmembers,
I've been sort of lagging lately on account of a heavy burden of work and not feeling completely up to par, all at the same time. Suffering from writers' block during this period of low energy. Starting to feel better now, and I will try to spend a little more time at the computer. I have another "chapter" in the Day of a Masi Employee story.
What I need now, as I embark on an overdue project, is to begin collecting photos of Baylis and Wizard bicycles that may belong to yourself or someone you know. I have plenty of bikes and photos of bikes that belong to me, but almost none that belong to customers. Since no two bikes are alike, the more the better. I hope to show the wide variety of work that I do. I plan for my website to be informational and educational, which is unconventional for the typical marketing tool that one generally visits. I plan to lay out the facts as I know them relating to the "artistic" aspects of framebuilding. I believe there is not enough information on this topic that is not marketing oriented, and I hope to shed some light on this misunderstood aspect of our craft. The technical aspects of framebuilding will be addressed in detail; but there will be no hype or sales pitch mixed in with the information. My site will be for the purposes of sharpening the eye and elevating the level of knowledge of the basic bicycle enthuesist, and providing the tools needed for anyone to "see through a paint job" so to speak, and recognize the finer and more subtle points of handmade frames and craftsmanship. I will let the individual decide what things are important to them.
I am particularly interested in seeing older Wizard or Baylis frames in order to eventually establish a record of what I have built. I would like to start a registry if possible. That will not be as great a task as some might imagine. I'm pretty certain I produce the smallest number of handmade frames by a full time professional anywhere in the world. I also believe my business is completely unique in the bicycle "industry" and I'd like to explain why that is and how that effects what I make. I think some people may find it rather interesting. Since my perspective and approach make me a "black sheep" to the traditional bicycle media, I feel it is time to express my views.
Thanks to anyone who is willing to help me gather photos. It will be a great help to me.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA