Jon,
Nice little dogpile you guys formed up. Are you guys nervous about
something? Since the fan clubs are forming up against the evil one,
maybe you all could clue in the rest of us as to what is making you
guys jump to conclusions.
Shall we discuss the politics of what has been going on for some time
now? It's beginning to be pretty obvious that it's everyone else
against me. That means I'm the one that is different from all of the
rest of the guys in "the club". I'm down with that. Maybe we should
all discuss this openly instead of you guys jumping all over me
without you even knowing what's going on; not with me as a
framebuilder and most especially you don't know me as a person. I've
tried to get friendly with everyone, but no one is open. Who resents
what?
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Sorry everyone is possibly going to have to sit through (or not) a
bit of a tiff. Not all framebuilders agree with one another nor have
the same personal philosophy. There is confilct. My point of view,
like my work, is unique.
Brian,
I think your message about a certain frame builder is misguided.
While I
consider the person your referring to a good friend he is also a
mentor, but not
just to me but many amateur and pro frame builders. I can't name one
person
in the industry you dabble in who has spent as much time, or created
more
resources for the hobby builder as the builder you malign. This
builder has
numerous build sequences photographed and posted in his picture site
for everyone
to see how he does things. This builder has also provided a master
list of
web links to other framebuilders picture sites. But mostly, he has
contributed
his time directly to anyone who simply just asks for help. This
builder has
done more to unwrap the secrecy of frame building and encourage
people like
myself to pick up a file, a torch and give it a try than anyone I
have ever
heard of. I don't know what you stand to gain by your words because
your
reputation as a craftsman and painter are second to none, but I
couldn't let your
words live cached for eternity on the www without a proper rebuttal.
Jonathan Greene Oviedo FL
In a message dated 7/29/2006 1:18:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
brianbaylis@juno.com writes:
Recently there was some talk on one of the "lists" regarding what it
takes to learn to build frames. One long time builder remarked that
it takes building lots of frames to become an "expert" and get to
where you really know what you're doing; and if you don't build
enough you won't be that good at it. That is pure foolishness and
comes from someone who is obviously trying to keep the process a
mystery. Any idiot knows that framebuilding is pretty simple in the
basic form and most anyone with reasonable motor skills, some
patience, and a good dose of common sense, and a little practice,
can
build excellent bike frames. The notion that framebuilding is magic
or difficult is pure hogwash. Anyone in the framebuilding business
who trys to make people think it's something special should be
ashamed of themselves. Period.