Talk about getting me mad !
Now it seems that in my ultra-pure world of Bicycle Collecting there is a new and deadly scourge - the repro decals and brake hoods were not enough it seems - NOW there are suspect pantographed parts ?! As if the world wasn't a sorry enough place, now I have to wonder about the engraved parts on all the bikes I ogle at the Goodwill and local Sally Army. Where is it ever gonna end folks ? As if I don't already have enough things to look down my nose at and make "Tsk-Tsk" noises as I shake my head and walk away ?
Furthermore, what I also find truly lamentable and what really brings out the effete snob in me - is when I see a bike that is supposedly "original", but where the seller cannot provide any details backing up the PROVENANCE of the original grease in the hubs, bb, or even the headset. YEESH ! I guess they take me for some kinda country fool that just fell off the haywagon !
Like most of the guys involved with vintage lightweights, being extruh smart and having a HUGE amount of money like I do probably makes me more of a target for these kinds of scams. It is somewhat of a burden at times - such as the dozens and dozens of times when I have explained to friends and relatives about how wise it was for me to ENSURE that the nice young mechanic down at the Toys-R-Us signed a three page long notarized document attesting to the fact that the Huffy Aerowind that I purchased went directly from the factory-sealed carton to the sales floor without him changing, adjusting, or altering ANYTHING (including the grease). Yes, I can see the appreciation in their faces as they roll their eyes upward and nod, they KNOW that their future inheritance is SAFE because I've taken the proper steps to ensure that the IMMENSE value of my precious objects is beyond questioning.
Looks like I need to go toss all my NOS pantographed parts in the recycling bin. Foolishly I acquired these items without proper legal documentation - so unfortunately they will have to go. What was I thinking back then ?
I was wondering if perhaps someone might want to offer to Carbon date our precious bike objects ? Maybe someone can set a booth at the Cirque ? I know that I, for one, would love to be able to narrow down exactly how old my Pletscher rack is. Ditto for my old and very rare plastic bike light that straps onto my leg. I've never seen another one like it. Does Christie's or any of the other major auction houses accept carbon dating claims ?
Make sure to Protect Your ASSets !
Mike Fabian
San Francisco, CA