Most excellent, Suzy! Please keep us updated as the project progresses.
I hope I am not being too bold here, but since you are already engaged, you wouldn't happen to have a good friend or an older sister that's just like you, would you? :-)
Cheers,
Greg <sigh> Parker Semi-old Nerd Engineer / bikenut Ann Arbor, Michigan The other side of the world
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 10:24:17 +1100
> From: <Suzy.Jackson@csiro.au>
> To: <BobHoveyGa@aol.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: RE: [CR]Re: Malvern Star
>
> Bob Hovey wrote:
>
> >>Would it be a reasonable approach to make a duplicate of the
> >>frame, and to paint the duplicate as the original ...
> >>[clipped] Or would this be seen as a heinous sin?<
>
> >Only if you try to pass it off as an original...
>
> >I think constructing a replica is a great idea and I admire you
> >for considering it, in light of the considerable time, trouble
> >and expense a plan like this would entail.
>
> >Creating bicycle replicas is by no means sinful (ask Brian) and
> >it seems to me that it would be doubly satisfying to own BOTH a
> >replica and the original. What a great way to preserve history
> >and have something to ride at the same time...
>
> I can't imagine it being very expensive. As the original is fillet
> brazed, I wouldn't even have to find lugs. Really the only cost to me
> is a Reynolds 531 tube set and an enormous amount of time. I built my
> first frame (a lugged steel track bike with Columbus tubing) and
> thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Doing a fillet brazed bike seems to
> me to be a natural progression (after the lugged Columbus steel audax
> bike that I've already ordered the tubing for, at any rate!).
>
> The neat thing about doing a replica is that I can knock an inch of the
> seat tube and top tube, and then it'll fit me properly. I can duplicate
> the original bikes paint on the replica, and that will help me decide
> whether I want to refinish the original (as well as giving me a
> reference to work from should I decide to do so). I figure it's okay as
> long as I make it obvious that it's a replica (for example by not
> putting a serial number on it, not to mention by discussing it here
> beforehand).
>
> But the nicest thing about this is that the main cost is simply my time.
> I'm happy to do all the framebuilding, painting, decal making etc
> myself. Indeed, the process is the bit that I get my kicks from.
>
> Regards,
>
> Suzy Jackson
> Sydney Australia