Re: [CR]OT:Lyonsport bicycles...

(Example: Framebuilders:Doug Fattic)

To: mark@bulgier.net
Cc: M4Campy@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001 07:13:32 -0800
Subject: Re: [CR]OT:Lyonsport bicycles...
From: Mark A. Perkins <bicyclemark@juno.com>


Hello bike lovers:

I consider Jeff Lyon to be a very good personal friend, and I have also had the pleasure of working with him back in 1977. At the time he had come home from England, where he was learning the frame building trade for many years, and worked with us at Walt's Bike Shop in Sunnyvale, CA for several months before returning to the UK. I don't remember all of the facts, but I do remember that he apprenticed under Bill Philbrook (sp?), I believe in Gravesend, Kent. Together they built some frames with the name Plijron (again not sure of spelling) on them. I remember seeing a few of them at The Wheelsmith when they were on Alma St. in Palo Alto.

Jeff is an excellent frame builder, and whenever someone asks me to recommend a good frame builder, Jeff is always one of the names I mention. Sadly though, I too do not own a Lyonsport frame, although I would love to. The problem here is that I learned to build my own custom frames, and now doubt that I will ever own one of Jeff's frames. Only time will tell. For those who don't know, Jeff now resides in Grant's Pass, OR.

"Bicycle Mark" Perkins Fresno, CA

On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 10:22:12 -0800 Mark Bulgier <mark@bulgier.net> writes:
>
> Mike Wilkinson wrote:
>
> > I was wondering if anybody had any opinions or first hand
> > experience with Jeff Lyon frames, in particular that retro
> > looking single speed frame with vibrant stays:
> >
> > http://www.lyonsport.com/road_bike.html
>
> Jeff Lyon is a very good framebuilder, and honest and conscientious to boot.
> I never bought a frame from him, as he was a competitor during the time I
> was a framebuilder, but we were on friendly terms and I visited his shop a
> few times when he was based in Seattle.
>
> A framebuilder can tell a lot about another framebuilder's work by seeing it
> before paint; even more when you see it in progress. I was very impressed
> with his skill and knowledge. His equipment was (still is I bet) minimal
> and archaic but well thought out. His techniques are quite
> traditional.
>
> He seems to specialize in relatively plain bikes at a reasonable cost,
> though I'm sure he'd be happy to make you a real fancy frame too.
>
> Mark Bulgier
> Seattle, Wa
> USA
>
> _______________________________________________

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