Re: [CR]Not Buying IN - long

Richie,

It then sounds to me like you relatively recently discovered the most basic element of framebuilding. The very first things that were recognized about how to build exceptional frames out here in the West were the two things you mention. Every framebuilder I know knew that the first job was to build as stress free frame as possible. Proper angles of all fittings is the first thing one attends to. Proper fit (proper brazing tolerences) is the most basic part of brazing in addition to proper prep and cleaning of the parts before assembly. I have been obsessing about that since 1975. My sequence of cleaning is probably overkill, but it insures a clean and low temp braze with no contamination whatsoever. A sandblaster is very important in the early stages of cleaning and prepping parts. Most parts, especially castings, have a "skin" on them that should be removed by both sandblasting AND gringing with an abrasive, before they get cleaned further prior to assmebly. Wash your hands FREQUENTLY, sand the oxide off your brazing rod and clean it before use, and use clean brushes and flux. These operations apply to every part that goes on the frame, including braze-ons.

I first realized that the assembly process was critical and that a stress free frame rides better and lasts longer than one with stresses involved as I collected and rode lots of different bikes. I learned this from my first Eisentraut "A" frame. When I first got that bike, it rode and felt livelier than all of the top of the line Euro stuff I already owned, even though it was made from the same lugs and tubes as the other bikes. Why was that? What I learned from riding and owning lots of bikes is that the construction details can and do make a difference. So about the same time, 1975, I became obsessed with building stress free and perfectly aligned frames because I felt that the attention and methods that Albert used were responsible for the difference. There was no magic geometry, it's in the builder and his or her intentions. That is why I credit Eisentraut as my first inspiration to make exceptional frames. I got the bug from Masi, but the Eisentraut taught me and inspired me to seek the differences between handmade production and a true custom frame. Everyone building frames out here at the time was simularly oriented. Not everyone practiced this, but I have always attended to it. I guess no one heard me the one million times I said that the basics of framebuilding must be learned first, before moving on to making an "artistic" work. I resent anyone who says to me that if you focus on the finish of a frame you probably have not taken the time to insure that the basics are up to par. It's quite the opposite. Those of us who go the extra mile to make a bike with character, style, and artistry are also probably taking the basics to the same level or beyond. I know I am and I have been since around 1975 or so. My time to build a frame has always been the 60 hours plus number. I haven't changed, other than to become more experienced AND more determined to make the best bicycle possible. The first thing one does is decide to use silver braze instead of brass for joining tubes to lugs. The alignment sequences, the brazing sequences, and fixturing methods that I know of ALL are oriented towards these basic principals of stress free frames.

Putting parts in the fixture proir to tacking multiple times to check proper fit, correct angles, and precise alignment is pretty much how it's done by anyone I know who is building handmade frames. These things only disappear in the production line. It's as old as the hills. I feel that you can judge (at least in an experienced and accomplished) framebuilder the TOTAL amount of effort and attention put into the entire building process by looking at the "skin". No one I know ever intentionally built a good looking frame and didn't care how it was constructed. The difference is in experience. The youngsters are still learning how to braze and whatnot, but they are all trying to build frames to these primary principals, or at least I hope so.

So I don't see that you are doing anything different from the rest of us. I'm pretty sure there's no magic involved. We all knew this way back in the early 70's. It's part of the basic difference between American framebuilders and has been for a long time. It's the element probably most responsible for our current status, the obsession for quality of construction. Frames had been beautiful long before we came along, but we also took that to a new level. My deffinition of an American custom frame has always been a frame where these details and basics have always been the primary focus. The refined finish is just a logical and natural extention of the processes one can't see. So I put the quality on the outside as well so the astute will realize that the entire process has been carried out at the highest level. Sometimes we think a little differently, Richie.

Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA