[CR]Re: Richard Moon frame

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:23:07 -0500
From: "Mary Kaminski" <marykaminski@mac.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: Richard Moon frame

Brian,

Puulleeze, puulleeze tell us you took photos of this frame before and after you painted it! It's not fair that you got to see it & all we get is a description. Please have some images to post! Or you lucky dog, Tom Rawson, do you have some to share with the list?

Yep, it's out of the timeline & OT, but ya gotta share at least one or two images....not all of us will make it to CA to see it. Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease!!!

Mary Kaminski Philly, PA

Snipped from Brian Baylis:
>
>I have been super busy lately and I haven't been able to join everyone
>in Dales' living room as much as I would like. I'm aslo behind on
>communications with a lot of business matters, but I NEED to take a few
>minutes here to add a little something about the "Frame/Mojo" issue. I
>basically stated that details and handwork are the cornerstone of
>building Mojo into a custom handmade bicycle frame. One of the marvelous
>things about frames, lugged steel ones in particular, is that they
>afford the builder infinite options for styling and adding details to
>frames. I just recieved a new Richard Moon frame for painting, and I
>have to tell everyone about a few things that probably only Richard Moon
>and myself have the pleasure to see and fully appreciate. Since I will
>be committing the crime of painting over this incredible piece of
>metalworking, it is my duty to describe it to everyone so that it does
>not go largely unappreciated. There are so few occassions that I see a
>frame that is a crime to paint, but Richards' work is so distinct and
>crisp and finely detailed, that it is a monumental challange to paint
>such a work in a way that will enhance the creation underneith. I will
>do my best! Fortunately, the lugs have been thinned very nicely and all
>of the lug edges are a perfect 90 degrees to the tube and razor sharp.
>This kind of work allows me to do my best work as well; not only is it
>inspirational to look at but I'm personally proud to add to Richards'
>unique display of talent.
>
>I must ammend or clarify one statement I said regarding lugs and Mojo in
>my previous post. One does not see too many frames built using
>investment cast lugs as a foundation that really exhibit individuality
>on a completed frame. Often the purpose of using IC lugs is to quickly
>and easily produce a product that is consistant in quality and
>appearance. Most of the time the IC lug also eliminates nearly all
>handwork on the lugs if the builder chooses to do so. Some builders thin
>the lugs which is nice, but don't alter the profile much if any. Richard
>Moon treats IC lugs almost like blanks, exactly like I'm working with
>the Pacenti lugs, to create simple (sort of) and unique lug patterns
>that are often cut from Columbus IC lugs. His thinning and detailing
>show a very keen eye for nice curves and consistant sculpturing of lugs.
>There are many ways and styles to finish lugs and I like the even
>thickness lug edge with filing that relieves the crotches of the lug
>intersections with a gentle curve. Richard does this well.
>
>The lugs are really magnificent. The time spent and passion invested
>ooze from this frame. But much of the design and detailing on this frame
>is concentrated in the fork crown and the fastback stay treatment. I
>mentioned how a bike and lugset should have a "theme". I think Richard
>learned this from me, but if not, he still understands this concept.
>There is a design that appears at the fastback junction of the stays at
>the binder that is also repeated in the chainstay sockets of the BB
>shell. One MUST appreciate his concept, probably worked out in
>conjunction with the customer, and displayed as pure genius on this
>frame. The lugs are petite, nothing was added to the lugs; the design
>was cut entirely from the original lug. Very nice.
>
>My favorite part of this frame is the fork crown. It began life as a
>standard Vaugner(?) crown. They are nice except underneith, where
>Richard did a stellar job of covering it. He did a nicely concaved
>bottom that is even more work than I normally do on these. Too bad I
>covered the thing with paint, it was really cool to see how he went
>about it. Major Mojo in my book. But it doesn't stop there! The top of
>this crown was flat where many of these crowns have a "chevron" flycut
>in the top from the factory. Richard did his own chevron that looks
>almost like the original, but not quite. A keen eye will see the
>difference. But most impressive are the three holes of different
>diameters MILLED into the chevron with a center cutting end mill bits.
>Hily smoke, Richard! That theme is carried out on the inside of the fork
>tangs and under the bottoms of each lug. This is how one handmakes a
>frame. In this case beginning with IC lugs does not detract from the
>outcome. He has successfully Mojoed the hell out of these parts. The
>lucky owner of this frame is listmember Tom Rawson. I know a certain
>amount of what involvement Tom had in creating this magnificent frame.
>It is light, and supremely beautiful, and I'm sure Tom will enjoy this
>frame for the rest of his life. Congratulations, Tom!