Robb-
The bike has a great story. You had your reasons for doing what you did. As you gain experience with bikes in general, and vintage bikes in particular, you may do it differently next time. or you may not. Good frame builders and repairers can un-do what was done in the past if you wish. But, what is done is done, so it will never be "original" again.
Love your bike for what it is, but *know* what it is. Knowledge is power.
John Barron
Minneapolis Minnesota
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From: Robb Rasmussen [mailto:okmain@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 5:21 PM To: John Barron; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR]Epiphany-Revelation
So, John.
That brings up a question I have been wanting to discuss with Classic Rendezvous people I bought a 1974 Schwinn Paramount in 1986 from a friend who was the original owner. She had raced it in Colorado and in fact had won the women's race against the train, ( I used to know the name.) the Durango to Silverton ??. on it in 1985. She was racing on the Schwinn (off topic) mountain bike team at that time and needed the money. Schwinn had repaired and repainted the frame because she was on the team and it had been dented, and sorely used. I rode it with the 74 vintage components until 93 when the bottom bracket collapsed. Schwinn (at Waterford under Marc Mueller) replaced the BB, the seat tube, and I had them put a full braze-on group on it. They put period correct Schwinn Paramount decals on it and it is still gorgeous. I put off topic 93 Campy Chorus components on it, rode it once for 20 miles and hung it up. It has been on display ever since, and I have felt quilty for ruining a classic frame by putting braze-ons and new components on it. Or did I ruin it? It has stunning paint, and I love the chrome Nervex lugwork.
Did I do so wrong?
Robb Rasmussen Sioux River Bicycles & Fitness 501 Main Ave Brookings, SD 57006
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> From: jb@velostuf.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 16:34:04 -0600
> Subject: [CR]Epiphany-Revelation
>
> Don't let the title fool you. This has been coming for several years.
>
>
>
> I have decided, once and for all, that bike owners get to decide how their
> bikes get built-up, adorned, painted, etc., and whatever they do is OK
with
> me. Moreover, what they do is *great* because it has been conceived by
them,
> with (presumably) thoughtfulness, purpose and care. There are a lot of
> different approaches to this vintage bike hobby, and it's arrogant for me
to
> put my values on to someone else. I can certainly tell others (and the
> world) what *my* preferences are, (www.velostuf.com) but it's up to them
to
> decide if that's right for them.
>
>
>
> I have a customer who is willing to re-paint a perfectly good/original
bike
> frame. Is that a shame? For him, no. For me, yes. But hey, he's a smart
guy.
> In fact, he's a very sophisticated collector, and his opinion is not only
> valid, it's 100% correct. for him. That's all that really matters.
>
>
>
> I've heard, that as one gets older, it's "bad" if that person moves
farther
> to the extreme in one way or another. It's "good" if they gently move to
the
> center. I think that I'm moving to the center, and it feels good.
>
>
>
> There's a phrase that "youngsters" use these days, "It's all good". I like
> that. I've got my thing and they have theirs. And, by golly, my thing
might
> change in the future. What the hell's wrong with that?
>
>
>
> John "It's All Good" Barron
>
> Minneapolis Minnesota
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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