Richard,
"Many on this list consider fine bicycles to be some sort of an art form. If that is the case, you cannot limit the discussion to the finished product while ignoring the process. On the other hand, if the things are just bikes - "things" with no heart & no soul - well then you are correct."
I was under the impression that bikes were "things" with no heart and soul. Whatever soul they have is only what we as humans and bike collectors (hopefully in that order) attach to them.
I'd be interested, though, for you to define (OFFLIST!!) what you think soul is in relation to a bike.
In the meantime, please try to steer clear of mentioning the word a**. We've been here so many times before on the list and ended up back where we started.
Bruce
Dundee
Scotland