Hi Tom,
I'm pretty sure that "not accepting new orders" doesn't mean stopping building. I take it as a good sign that there is so much demand for the best hand made bikes that these guys are over-loaded.
Jamie Swan Centerport Cycles Inc. Northport, New York, USA http://www.centerportcycles.com (mapped) http://www.limws.org http://www.liatca.org
On Jul 17, 2008, at 10:30 AM, Tom Sanders wrote:
> 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