Re: [CR]Re: file marks (and owner's options)

(Example: Books)

Comment: DomainKeys? See http://antispam.yahoo.com/domainkeys
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 18:07:47 -0800 (PST)
From: "Joe Starck" <josephbstarck@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: file marks (and owner's options)
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <41F94EE5.AD76782E@earthlink.net>
cc: John Jorgensen <designzero@earthlink.net>

--- John Jorgensen <designzero@earthlink.net> wrote:
> As was thought 30 years ago.
>
> The shop I worked for sold lots of Masi's, Carlsbad
> ones, we would often state that there were Great and
> average Italian Masi's regarding finish,
>
> just that the Carlsbad bikes were much more
> consistant (above average in finish work).
>
> That said, when I took my very early 57cm frame
> (first batch) in for a repaint in 1975, they made a
> point to show me how they had refiled the BB and
> lugs. The BB was the most noticable as the orignal
> finish could best be described as paint over the raw
> casting.
>
> I was not charged extra but they stated 3 hours were
> spent reworking the frame, I was told they were
> under pressure to get the first ones "out the door".
>
> I like all that I have, just some are better
> detailed than others.
>
> John Jorgensen
> Palos Verdes Ca

(Listees: I(Joe Starck) haven't done any framebuilding work since 2002 and have no plans to resume, so, the following is not a sales pitch.)

I used to take in lots of frame repairs and frame modifications, tube and dropout replacements, adding and/or replacing braze-ons, and my favorite, adding stainless-steel internal tubes for rear brake-cable routing through the top tubes. When I'd replace something, I'd replace the part with a like part, but I'd also try to match the joinery of the part. For instance, if the lug brazing on a frame was a bit on the thick side, I'd braze up a top-tube replacement on the thick side also, to match the rest of the lug-brazing. If I replaced a dropout, whether a Campagnolo or economy part, I'd try to match the joinery style too. Some frames required doing up a fancy style, others matched a lesser look, in keeping with the overall look of the frame. When I added braze-ons though, or installed an internal through the top tube, I'd do them all the best I could, no matter what brand the frame. Now lets turn a corner here, and ask what work I would do on something like a Confente or any other frame some might consider rare. If the owner came to me with his desired modifications, I'd tell him what's what about the frame, rarity and all, and if he said, "I've heard the same from two other shops and they won't do what I want done to this frame. I want it done. Will YOU do it?" I'd say, "OK." At this point the owner is sure about what he wants, and there's no moral issue, it isn't like he's asking to have a Masi Nuevo Strada repainted with Gran Criterium decals. So this brings me to three of my favorite 30-year-old frames I've helped to bring to new life, all Schwinn Paramounts, all early to mid 70s, all P-10s, all owned by the same guy. I like Nervex lugs; and I think the graphics on these models are of the best of the best in bicycle designs; and with the new chrome these got and Bell's best paint, the look is really stunning, I'd say. The bikes aren't period correct, parts-wise. He's got 70s Campy brakes on them, modern stuff elsewhere, Brooks saddles, cowhorn-style bars. He said he built them up to ride them, and the frames themselves, he said, really remind him of the 70s, (whatever those memories may be for him.) Anyway, considering the finish these frames were about to receive, I prepared them for it. I did some practical things, checked frame alignment and such, but I also did some aesthetic stuff. I checked out the joinery overall, and where something stood out, like a big ol' goober or a burr on the lug edge or some other nastiness, I took care of it with a file and emory cloth. At the dropout junctions, the braze had a number of, not just pinholes as is usual for these frames, but craters, that I focally remelted and sanded. Also, (keep in mind these frames all got new chrome at the dropouts extending 1/3 up the stays and forkblades), so I re-squared the dropout edges that otherwise looked half-done. About three hours total. One was painted blue, another red, another yellow. Bell installed 1" x 1/2" Nervex decals and small oval Campagnolo decals in well-placed spots. A while back on CR, a listee mentioned an Italian frame he had, I think it was Italian, but really, it could hve been German, Japanese, Taiwanese or Mexican, 'cause I think hands are hands; the listee said the point on one of the lugs on his frame veered off one way, not intentionally, and the listee said, in some well-said words that I can't recall, that this added much charm to his bike. I can see how one would come to feel this way about his bike, and I'd probably do the same. I wouldn't touch that lug when it came time for new paint. I can even extend this to other evidences of makers hands on certain frames. But, thinking here about those rejuvenated P-10s, I really think that your craftsman, for many, your Italian craftsman, would actually be grateful for some bit of fixing when the time comes to do so.

Joe Starck, masidon, wi

http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250