My suggestion is that we leave the planning of this happenin' with the folks that would be doing the deeds. My guess is that they will have little to NO interest in participating and I for one certainly would understand.
Nick Zatezalo Atlanta,Ga
-----Original Message----- From: Stephen Barner <steve@sburl.com> Sent: Dec 15, 2004 1:12 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]KOF Build-Off?
Lots of problems with the concept of a "Build-Off" have been raised, not the least of which being that the KOF guys no doubt have little or no interest in such an event. Building frames is something they do in their shops, and their shops don't move very often.
However, an approach that has been used in writing involves each writer getting a shot at a serial, developing and redirecting it as each writer sees fit. Could this approach be taken with a frame? I could see an initial team decision as to geometry and materials, with the kit passing from builder to builder at least thrice. Once for the builder to work his particular area, the second to braze the area on the assembled frame, and the final to do the finish metalwork. The key would be to add the signature details and expression of that particular builder, while keeping some unity to the whole. The final paintwork could be done by someone known for that specialty and not so much for building--like Joe Bell.
The advantage is that each artisan would be doing the work in his or her own shop with familiar tools and working it into the work schedule as is convenient. And wouldn't you just love to own that bike!
--Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont, where we had close to a foot of snow and 5
degree F. temps this am. Eat your heart out eChuckie!
> Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 23:55:56 -0800 (PST)
\r?\n> From: John Barry <usazorro@yahoo.com>
\r?\n> To: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>,
\r?\n> classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
\r?\n> Subject: Re: [CR]KOF Build-Off?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> It would be nice if KOF builders got more exposure in
\r?\n> the mainstream media. It could serve to stimulate
\r?\n> interest, increase demand for their work, allow them
\r?\n> to command a better price for their efforts, possibly
\r?\n> permit them to bring on apprentices to prepare another
\r?\n> generation to be keepers...
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Perhaps someone has connections with a television
\r?\n> production outfit, and could match them up with a
\r?\n> couple interested builders. It might not be the next
\r?\n> "American Chopper", but who knows?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Would the potential for a little boost in the
\r?\n> popularity of vintage and vintage-esque bicycles be
\r?\n> worth it?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> John Barry - daydreaming at work and probably talking
\r?\n> out my butt too - in Mechanicsburg, PA
\r?\n>
\r?\n> p.s. It's been 17 years, and I STILL hate the hill on
\r?\n> Fletcher Parkway heading west from Parkway Plaza!
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> --- Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca> wrote:
\r?\n>
\r?\n> > I suggested this idea last year and was shot down.
\r?\n> > I think the KOF
\r?\n> > build off would have to be organized in such a way
\r?\n> > as to not burden
\r?\n> > the KOF people on vacation. For example, teams of 5
\r?\n> > KOFs are to build
\r?\n> > a frame in 60 minutes flat (including paint!)
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > WINNERS TO SHARE $1500 PURSE !
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > BOTH FRAMES TO BE AUCTIONED OFF TO HIGHEST
\r?\n> > BIDDER(S), PROCEEDS SPLIT
\r?\n> > AMONG BUILDERS, OR BOTH ONE OR BOTH FRAMES
\r?\n> > DESTROYED, AT TEAM'S OPTION.
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Under such circumstances nobody expects perfection
\r?\n> > but it would be
\r?\n> > quite amusing to see what might be done. Of course
\r?\n> > the main problem
\r?\n> > is that a KOF might cut off a finger or worse ...
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > An iron chef who fails might burn his finger. Speed
\r?\n> > is part of a
\r?\n> > chef's job. The motorcycle and car builder contests
\r?\n> > are always
\r?\n> > entered by rank amateurs, many who are wildly
\r?\n> > optimistic, and so maybe
\r?\n> > a 24-hour amateur build-a-thon would be a better
\r?\n> > idea than a KOF
\r?\n> > bake-off ??
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > - Don Gillies
\r?\n> > San Diego, CA