Re: [CR] Is it really a Jack Taylor?

(Example: History)

Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:42:08 -0600
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Mark Stonich" <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
In-Reply-To: <29cfc1e01002021402q383daf23wf5a5d72a9219dd86@mail.gmail.com>
References: <29cfc1e01002021402q383daf23wf5a5d72a9219dd86@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Is it really a Jack Taylor?


At 2/2/2010 10:02 PM +0000, Norris Lockley wrote:
>Jack Taylor frames were very often very very attractive, beautifully
>enamelled and epitomising a certain "je ne sais quoi" French something or
>other. On the other hand they could be very idiosyncratic..looking as they
>were ABC frames - All Bits Combined, by which I mean that not all the lugs
>came from the same box or even the same series...the front drop-outs did not
>match the rear ones, the treatment of the ends of the chainstays, seat-stays
>and fork blades tips were not always matching as if one person had made the
>frame and someone else had made the fork..without the two ever conferring as
>to style and finish.

My Taylor Tourist has Campag 1060 vertical dropouts at the rear and Suntour fronts. The rear canti posts are positioned for a 27" wheel, the fronts for a 700c. Serial numbers match.

The 1060 dropouts have eyelets, which I've only seen on Taylors.
>Having said all that...I have no doubt whatsoever that when that frame was
>factory fresh..in its British Racing Green enamel , with its gold and red
>double-box lining and the Old-English style transfers..it would be a sight
>for sore eyes..a rare beauty for all its idiosyncracies.

Still isn't a bad looking bike, just "different". And losing the original finish won't keep it from being a great bike to ride. If it were smaller and I didn't already have one, I'd be bidding.

Mark Stonich;
     BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
       5349 Elliot Ave S. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417 USA
            Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com
                        http://mnhpva.org