In a message dated 7/31/2004 9:11:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jschaer@columbus.rr.com writes:
<< I'm not positive, but I believe these are essentially the same as Bill Shook's later American Classic hubs. I think the earliest versions of these were turned from 6061 aluminum, which isn't very corrosion resistant, and then powder-coated in colors. There may have been a lot of variation in the powder-coating process. I've seen some that have aged very well, and some that had a lot of flaking of the coating at the spoke holes. These then tend to corrode a lot, which weakens the flanges. The durability generally seemed to be good, but at the time spoke tensions were generally lower, wheels were 32' or 36', and usually 3x. Later hub versions I think were of 2000 series, then 7000 series. Even though these alloys are stronger, there were more flanges failures (as most all of the OT boutique hubs of the 90's had). >>
Jon and all:
Unlike some of you whipper snappers (ahem) I was around and actively in da business in those days and I am 99.78% sure that Weyless were first and forever highly polished raw aluminum finish. No anodizing nor powder coating. I am sure that Bill Shook was the initial designer too but they were not labeled as such. Bullseye, maybe American Classic & others may have been powder coated but never Weyless. I couldn't speak to the alloy used but a few hubs did crack at the flanges, separating in the space between spoke holes and outer edges.. But many lasted until today and were very reliable in general. The quick release was also very unique and distinctive, with tubular aluminum loops for levers. Like many sealed bearing hubs, there was a discernible play out at the rim in built up wheels. "Racers slack"?
Pictures here:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC