I don't wish to sound a bum note here, but I am somehow missing the plot?
Earlier in the week I posted a couple of emails querying the hysteria that seems to surround all things RH - Rene Herse. I had thought it concerned all his frames and accessories, but now I begin to wonder if just his very name is in fact sufficient to set off a spebding spree. Nearing completion on USA Ebay is an auction for a Toei touring frame.. and in the description the name of the French master, Herse appeared a couple of times.. the Toei being vitrually held up as a Japanese Herse. equivalent.
Now.. I have never seen a Toei in the flesh but I have seen enough Herses to spot many differences in style, design, execution, ,workmanship, individuality, etc which I would have thought would rendered the French frames far superior to this Japanese example.
Not that the Toei appears to be a poor frame in any way but to my eye it just seems to be a workmanlike job constructed around a set of microfusion lugs. Remove the decals and what would you have - an attractive frame that resembles so many others. Rub the transfers off a Herse and what remains - a distinctive frame with features setting it out from the ordinary.. a frame unlike many others.
The Toei stands at just under $800 with not too long to run. The other day a Gilles Berthoud - frame of some distinction, built up with quite a lot of quality gear fetched about the same price.. but the Berthoud was a far mor distinctive touring frame, built to an extremely high standard using a lugless construction.
On UK Ebay an original George Longstaff Audax bike, built by George himself, the frame finished to a high standard of craftsmanship is standing at a fraction of the above prices...
As I sstated at the outset.. I just don't get the plot. Anyone on the List care to let me in on the thinking here/
Norris Lockley...scratching his head in puzzlement.. Settle UK