[CR]Herse 650b Project Update

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PY-10)

From: Douglas R. Brooks <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org (Classic Rendevous)
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 08:17:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [CR]Herse 650b Project Update

More than a year ago, more like two, I came into my 650b Herse as a frame/fork/hs/bb and original (we think) mudguards. The rest of the parts have been cobbled together; the significant missing piece being the custom front carrier. Jan Heine was my sine qua non, it all coming from him originally and with most of the parts. A replacement carrier has now been finished (by the fine hand of Mike Barry and his cohort at Bicycle Specialties in Toronto) and last night our CR pal Larry Strung sent me pictures of the bike as it now sits in the shop, assembled. These were out of the blue and a real boon from a good friend. I have not seen it in months and last time it had no carrier. This particular example has no rear carrier, unless one was originally mounted on the mudguard only-style, but that seems unlikely. So it is a front-bag support only with the usual internal lighting and collection of French parts. It has a nice Stronglight crank worth a look and the long headtube gives a good idea of how certain sizing issues were solved. The bike is 60x60cm and fits me at 5'.95" with an 85cm inseam just as it should. The rear derailleur is the famous, odd Cyclo, one of the difficult parts to score and the shifter (thanks Mike Kone!) was similiarly peculiar. (I've seen it together and remain baffled.) There is a black Ideale saddle for it that is not shown in the photos (instead it has mounted a brown B17, which was what I had at the time). The bike needs handlebar wrap and the black saddle and it will be done. Anyone who really wants to see it in progress, drop me a line. Plus I will put the pictures on my Photopoint site under Rene Herse bicycles. (Use this email address for access: dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu)

regards,
Douglas Brooks
snowy Canandaigua, NY