In a message dated 13/11/2001 21:01:33 GMT Standard Time, bob.reid@btconnect.com writes:
> As to the comments about the builder, well I have to say, my
> comments were aimed at Baines, the originator of the design rather than TJ
>
OK Bob, I may well have jumped to the defence a bit early. I have been on the list for a while but have not responded before as I had nothing useful to contribute, in this case I thought the 'Flying Gate' and it's builders were being unfairly hammered.
> The "gate" I feel was Baines example. If it
> really worked, it was more likely to have been by accident than by design.
I had made the assumption that its design emanated from design principles rather than chance. So as usual Bob, you got me thinking. In an effort to try and find out more, I rang Trevor Jarvis to see if he could help. His replied that one of the Baines Brothers was a design draftsman. So when the local riders had asked for a faster, less whippy and shorter wheelbase machine than was available at that time, the starting point would certainly have been on the drawing board. As Hilary Stone has pointed out it is possible to get a much shorter wheelbase using this design, as the obstruction of the seat tube has been removed completely. just how much was down to theory, trial and error and luck may well remain a mystery. Extra struts were added to increase stiffness later. As to how many diamond frames he built, I am told that the records for the company were placed into a tea chest when the it ceased trading for safe keeping, but were mistakenly burnt in a mix up with other tea chests to be disposed of. Apparently Baines also designed a low profile bike in the late 30's early 40's and was just laughed at. Perhaps he was a frame maker ahead of his time!
Best regards
Doug Poll