Jerry Moos wrote:
Well I bought this Behringer and received it today. <snip> There is a small dent in the DT just above the stops for the barcon cables - this is a touring frame and intelligently built for that purpose. Thus I got a clean original finish frame from one of America's greatest frame builders for $300 shipped. I'm coming to love small dents, as I've now obtained a Cuevas, an Alberto Masi and this Behringer, not to mention a $50 otherwise very nice Raleigh International frame (OK so that one was a huge dent) for half or less of what they might have cost without such a dent. Almost makes me want to pay some thugs to go around denting Herses and Singers so I can but them cheap. Just kidding about that, but if you do have a dented Herse or Singer or Toei you want to unload, I might take it off your hands. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well, we're in an era of specialization, but I specialize in Scratch, and will leave Dents to my good buddy Jerry. Now, just last night I was working on the Himel I bought from Eddie Albert, and that took paint scratching to a whole new level: about 50% gone to rust. But no more rust than when I bought it. This bike has earned the powdercoat it will get; it's about the only hope for a smooth surface.
Jerry's point is well taken, and one long embraced by us bottom-feeders: I get a tremendous amount of riding and sheer ownership pleasure from the "B" stuff. I take a certain ornery pride in my Cinelli, whose top tube was carefully refinished by Proteus in a grey that isn't close to the original silver. Price was right and the ride is wonderful. My Hetchins Italia Spyder from the 1970s was a whole lot cheaper for NOT having the curved stays, and the later ones ride like the better bikes of the era, not like the older British bikes with very relaxed angles. My Ephgrave had its derailleur hanger amputated before its repaint, so the two dropouts don't quite match. All of these bikes were much more affordable because they weren't in showroom condition. I ride them frequently without fear that they'll get a scratch that will destroy their pristine virtue. I still enjoy looking at the immaculate bikes others have preserved or restored, but mine will remain a collection of riders.
Harvey "Scratch-and-dent-is good" Sachs mcLean virginia