When I read Norris' post he was vocalizing my first thoughts. I was mainly thinking 'That's not like Dave to use NOS parts like that.' Thanks for your response Wayne since that clarifies my only issue with your neat new frame. I do understand where Norris is coming from because I consider myself a builder along the same lines. I'm a craftsman and my #1 goal with my frames is the perfect riding experience and my bikes should make you want to ride more. Heck none of my frames even have decals. I used to want to make frames that look like Brian, Sasha, and Dave's, but after some serious lug carving sessions I realized it wasn't what I liked to do.
This all kind of weaves into the thread from a few days back about builders getting better. I feel that the new heat of passion when you learn a new skill set pushes folks to strive to extremes early on. How you rein in that passion and constrain it and dole it is how you improve. When I first started building it was all about the limits lightweight. Then I moved to more artistic work. Now it's about how do I use both of those early passions to keep pushing my concept of pleasurable bikes.
I consider Dave a buddy and someone I email with when ideas strike me and I need to talk about it with someone. Dave was a jewelry maker before he was a builder and that is reflected in his work. I know at least 4-5 folks that own his frames (not fancy ones) and love them, that is the true test as a builder. Whether you like fancy stuff or not is up to you and your aesthetic. Personally I'm glad guys like him are building things like that so I don't have to. best, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives off to the garage to play with some slant-6 lugs before heading to build up modern CF frames in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho