Sometimes I can be really dull-witted. First I was too slow to see the obvious at the outset. Then, Kevin Kruger suggested "KM" on the bottom bracket could be for Keith Moon <grin>. And I was too dense to get the concept. It took an email from listmember Greg Thies who suggested it might be the initials of the original owner for the light to go on. Duh! I checked my records and realized I bought it from Kent Tess-Mattner who had told me he was the original owner and the bike was custom made for him. I just emailed him and he quickly replied and confirmed that he got married (and hyphenated his name) a year after he had it made and, yes, he requested his initials be cut into the BB.
Mystery solved.
But I'd still like an explanation of the first four digits of the serial number E200174.
"E" presumably refers to "Eisentraut".
As for the rest, I can speculate it could mean:
2001st frame in 1974 (seems unlikely unless he had a lot of helpers that year!) 200th frame in January 1974 200th frame in the 1st quarter of 1974 20th frame in month 01 (January) 1974 or?
David
David G. White Burlington, VT USA
Kevin Kruger wrote:
>
> Your frame could be the rare one Eisentraut built for Keith Moon, the
> deceased drummer for the rock band "The Who"???? If so, looks like
> he had this one built for when he hit his second growing spurt later
> in life!!!!
> Just kidding of course, but couldn't help it recalling the interest
> Eric Clapton had in fine bicycles.
> Very nice looking bike = Keep Moving (KM)!!!
> Kevin Kruger - Grantville, PA