> Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 19:55:18 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Michael Butler <pariscycles@yahoo.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [CR]Carpenter decision
> To: "C. Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>
> CC: CR Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>
> Dear Charles,
> I am going to have to take issue with the following
> statement you have just made "British frames were
> resprayed regularly as a matter of course by careful
> owners..so, I have less trouble repainting a UK
> frame
> like this--particularly one with minimal
> graphics--and
> the graphics are available from Lloyd's. Also, I can
> have it repainted in the UK, and the job, by
> definition to my thinking, will be more authentic.
> If
> I go with Mercian, for instance, I'll get a very
> traditional sort of job. Not super humanly perfect,
> but a nice clean job at a reasonable price. Which is
> exactly what some UK owner would have expected 30
> years ago. I sympathise with Doug Fattic's
> position. The temptation of an over-the-top job is
> always there.
> But, to me, such a job would be less rewarding than
> one that would be in the style of a typical UK
> paint-job of the period".
> Firstly you are correct in your assumption that a
> lot
> of British cyclists (not all) had their frames
> regularly re-enamelled, this is why everyone likes
> to
> find a great original finish frame. Have you ever
> given thought to how much metal is actually left in
> the tubes after all those shot blasts and repaints?
> There just might not be that much metal in the tubes
> of that classic Hetchins you are sitting astride!
> Secondly to imply that British re-enamelling of the
> period was just a nice clean job is highly
> inaccurate,
> it was near perfect from most of the reputable
> British
> bicycle enamellers especially Smiths (Albert) of
> Clerkenwell who did the majority of the London
> builders paint jobs right up until the 80's. Also no
> Brit 30 years ago and your frame is 50 years old
> would
> put up with a nice clean job they would have wanted
> a
> near perfect job, this is more in keeping with the
> British our character, second best means counts for
> nothing here, if you could have afforded it you
> wanted
> the best, goes equally for the period and today.
> If you want advice on a suitable British enameller
> get
> in contact with the VCC lads as this is a very
> contentious issue amongst the brethren at the
> moment.
> The enameller I use says if you do a great job no
> one
> says anything do a rough'en and they want to shout
> it
> from the f---ing roof tops! Incidentally he does all
> Longstaffs frames. If you must have painted get it
> done in America then at least you can easily bollock
> the painter if it is not up to standard.
> Me as they say in the "Print" LTFTA, roughly
> translated it means something on the lines of leave
> it
> alone. A bike in the shed which looks totally
> originally and care worn looks far better than
> tarted
> up bullshit jobs anytime.
> Strange other nationalities perceptions of our
> ideals
> character and standards.
> You take care and do what you want.
> From snow bound Scotland Mickey Butler
>
> Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in
> your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky
> Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.