>>>>>...I wonder if anyone remembers a frame builder in Falls Church. Small shop, Papillion Cycles... The frame-builder/proprietor is named Bailey. Offhand, I can't remember his last name, although I visit his shop at it's neew location from time to time. The new shop is located on Columbia Pike in Arlington and caters mostly to the folks in the neighborhood who actually use bicycles as transportation. Bailey has not built frames since the shop moved to its new location although he does make repairs. On the other hand, he also sells used bikes and sometimes has an interesting interesting classic lightweight for sale. Often these were Japanese hand-builts, brought back to this country by servicemen. I see fewer of those in his shop these days, probably because mountain bikes became the "cool" bike among servicemen. Cheers, Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia<<<<<
Actually, the original Papillion Cycles shop was located near the intersection of where RT.66 and Lee Hwy intersect, in East Falls Church. That was before the RT 66 extension was built. The original owner and builder was Ted DeCappita (probably wrong spelling). To the best of my recollection, Bailey worked for Ted and bought the shop when Ted decided to get out of the biz and buy a sail boat. Around that time, the shop moved to near the intersection of George Mason Dr. and Columbia Pike with Bailey as the new owner. Bailey and the shop are still there.
I believe that Ted was the builder, or at least the primary one, and Bailey was a helper or apprentice or something. I believe most of the frames that were built actually bear the DeCappita name. I haven't seen or talked with Ted since he sold the shop. I understand that he now lives in the Northern Neck section of VA, near where the Potomac River meets the Bay, and that he still has his sail boat. Since I have some mutual friends that still are in touch with Ted from time to time, I'll see if I can find out a bit more of the history of the frame building operation. Maybe add to the knowledge-base on another American frame builder.
Anyone ever seen a DeCappita frame?
Wayne Bingham
Falls Church VA