[CR]So you want to learn to build a frame?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

From: <themaaslands@comcast.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org (Classic Rendezvous)
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 01:51:31 +0000
Subject: [CR]So you want to learn to build a frame?

Since the demise of the Albert Eisentraut framebuilding courses and with fewer and fewer people building frames with steel in general, what is one to do if you want to learn how to build a frame?

While looking through this Japanese Keirin framebuilder's website, I was surprised to see the caption:

"On any Saturday, let's make bicycles together and you can hang out with your friends."

It would appear that the framebuilder, Akio Tanabe, welcomes people into his shop to learn. So the next time you pop over to Tokyo for the weekend, it may be fun to arrange a meeting with him.

Check out his website at: http://homepage3.nifty.com/kalavinka/

The CR-list's resident Japanese culture expert commented:

"It's a pretty novel approach alright. You probably could never do that in the US, with all the liability concerns. With the bad economy here, some craftsmen have had to resort to opening their shops to piblic participation, teaching craft activities etc. That or throw in the towel. Many Japanese have had little if any experience making things with their hands. From the early years, just on a educational one way experience to hell...I mean salaryman employment. It can be rewarding for them to find the pleasure of making things."

--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ