[CR]Top line builders closing their order books

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

From: Tom Sanders <tesanders@comcast.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:30:58 -0400
Thread-Index: AcjoGbmQ/nFiuACmRIODG5MZtRHTmA==
Subject: [CR]Top line builders closing their order books

I just read that Richard Sachs will cease accepting new orders in that post by Angel Garcia. At Cirque both Brian Baylis and Peter Weigle said that they were closing theirs.

I understand the burden placed on them by five or six years of orders and the limiting influence it can be in their lives (Yes, I am well aware that the financial security can also widen some aspects of their lives, too) and darn near keeping them in bondage to a single occupation.

However I am really curious as to the take on this that CR members might have. All three of the builders I cite above are very intelligent, generous and nice guys, there is obviously no character flaw involved in this decision and it must make very good sense to them. Are more builders about to do this? Sacha White comes readily to mind as someone else a bit snowed under. What does it mean to the rest of us? Is this a break for the fledgling builders? Will it result in a drop in the production of KOF bikes? An increased interest ( and price spike) in KOF bikes or perhaps a drop in interest accompanied by a rise in interest in Vintage bikes?

I have so many questions running around in my mind about this. I have been a great fan of KOF bikes in addition to vintage and have owned (and still own some of them) bikes by all three builders.

Where do my compatriots on the list see KOF building heading?

It would be great to hear these builders explain their take , not that they owe us an explanation, but just to give us a bit of insight.

Tom Sanders

Lansing, Mi USA