Hey, thanks for the complements on the Jack Taylor tandem. Mr.& Mrs.Taylor
were very generous to allow my wife and me the opportunity to have their ta
ndem. What is also very special, it's our size as well. I phoned Jack to le
t him know that it arrived in good condition, and at 90 he is in great shap
e. He built the box himself and had it delivered to the shipper. I hope tha
t I'm half the man at 90. You can't help but have respect for those guys, J
ack, Ken & Norman, they spent the better part of a life time in the bicycle
business and have always been true to the sport.
Bessie and I went to the York Rally back in 83 where we met the "boys" and
we felt they were truly interested in helping us with our first bikes. I'
ve kept in contact with them ever since, not to mention a bunch of bikes la
ter too. I made a trip over in "04, we had a great time together, I can't s
ay enough good things about them. Most don't know, they have another brothe
r Tom, super gentleman, was said to be the best cyclist among them. (That m
ay be argued over a pint). I'm sad to report that Norman has suffered a ser
ies of stokes and has lost the ability to speak. He is in good care at a ni
ce facility in Stockton. We have a list member that checks on him and se
nds a note to me. I'll keep the list up to speed on his condition as he pro
gresses.
If you have a Jack Taylor made bike, you have a nicely built bike that will
give you good service. I'm always interested in Taylor bikes, send me a no
te, I'll put you on my personal list. I'm also looking for a Taylor made st
em if you have one you're not currently using.
And an answer to a couple of questions. The hubs are Maxi Car, and Jack did
all the box lining by hand with a roller type paint applicator. There w
ere two sets of decals, the old English was the original, and Audry Radmore
of Stockton, CA designed the Mondrian type in the middle fifties. More abo
ut the Taylors here: http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
Ride"
Mike Thompson
Monroe, Louisiana
North of New Orleans