Hello, Instead of not having a serial #, how about stamping its date of manufacture April 20 2004 #1 Chris Ioakimedes Fairfax California
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Suzy.Jackson@csiro.au Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 3:24 PM To: BobHoveyGa@aol.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR]Re: Malvern Star
Bob Hovey wrote:
>> Would it be a reasonable approach to make a duplicate of the
>> frame, and to paint the duplicate as the original ...
>> [clipped] Or would this be seen as a heinous sin?<
> Only if you try to pass it off as an original...
> I think constructing a replica is a great idea and I admire you
> for considering it, in light of the considerable time, trouble
> and expense a plan like this would entail.
> Creating bicycle replicas is by no means sinful (ask Brian) and
> it seems to me that it would be doubly satisfying to own BOTH a
> replica and the original. What a great way to preserve history
> and have something to ride at the same time...
I can't imagine it being very expensive. As the original is fillet brazed, I wouldn't even have to find lugs. Really the only cost to me is a Reynolds 531 tube set and an enormous amount of time. I built my first frame (a lugged steel track bike with Columbus tubing) and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Doing a fillet brazed bike seems to me to be a natural progression (after the lugged Columbus steel audax bike that I've already ordered the tubing for, at any rate!).
The neat thing about doing a replica is that I can knock an inch of the seat tube and top tube, and then it'll fit me properly. I can duplicate the original bikes paint on the replica, and that will help me decide whether I want to refinish the original (as well as giving me a reference to work from should I decide to do so). I figure it's okay as long as I make it obvious that it's a replica (for example by not putting a serial number on it, not to mention by discussing it here beforehand).
But the nicest thing about this is that the main cost is simply my time. I'm happy to do all the framebuilding, painting, decal making etc myself. Indeed, the process is the bit that I get my kicks from.
Regards,
Suzy Jackson
Sydney Australia