I was friends with Lenny during those times. He sold me the 531 tube set that I used to build my first frame in 1981. Here are some pictures that I took of Nelson Vails, Lenny and some of the other Toga guys:
http://jamieswan.net/
Jamie Swan Northport, NY, USA http://www.jamieswan.net
On Aug 20, 2009, at 12:33 PM, oroboyz@aol.com wrote:
>
> << Dale can you give more on Toga?? >>
> The original Toga (not associated with current ownership) was IIRC
> on Ave B.?
>
>
> It was chocked with exotica.. In the mid 70s I remember many frames
> incl Masi, Colnago, Speedwell Ti, ?R. Sachs*, etc,. hanging from
> the crowded ceiling. Small space packed with people bikes and
> parts. They had their counters built up maybe 3-4 feet so the staff
> looked down at customers; there was rumored to be an illegal
> shotgun for protection stashed behind the counter. While they had
> high end customers, they also had the?hoi polloi and even some
> rough characters so vigilance was the guiding principle.
>
>
>
>
> The bike set up procedure was super strict; they tighten stuff
> twice and hard. The story was that a drug dealer bought a bike,
> something slipped loose and he came back and sprayed the shop with
> bullets. They didn't want that to happen again.
>
>
>
>
> * Toga was the USA exclusive agent for our amigo Richard Sachs in
> his early days. I still have a price sheet somewhere from those
> days where the frames were $245 if I recall... Team Toga raced his
> frames, all painted Toga green & yellow!
>
>
>
>
> The green and yellow theme worked it's way through much... Manager
> maybe part owner (?) Lennie Preheim was one of the most eccentric
> and outrageous race promoter character. At events he wore green
> everything. Boots, clothes etc. Disparagers said even his teeth
> were green. But he promoted the shop & team to a high level, at
> regional races Trexlertown etc. Nelson Vails was an early protege
> plus rumored Pro Polish riders (sand baggers to others) cleaned up
> at crit races... Lennie was at that time married to my ex-partner's
> twin sister. Yes, Lennie was gay, sadly died of aids some years ago.
>
>
>
>
> But Toga was quite a shop "in the day."
>
>
>
>
> Dale
>
>
>
>
> Dale Brown
>
> Greensboro, NC
>
> (Proprietor of cycles de ORO, once named "Toga #2" although no
> financial connection...)