Marc,
What a magnificent piece of work! Building "replica" parts for frames is someting we don't see much of these days. These projects are often quite challenging and done out of the love of the classic bikes and the craft itself. It is very satisfying to accomplish such things, Anthony has much to be proud of for that piece of work.
Handmade frame bits and such are rapidly comming into fashion. There is a movement starting towards custom designed and built lugged steel frames again. Lugged steel high craft/art frames are about to expereince a drastic rebirth of popularity. For certain one MAIN and PRIMARY reason for this is the recent creation of a national framebuilders show.
Anyone who has any intention of getting in on this trend MUST make plans to attend the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in San Jose, CA, March 2006. I promise you, you cannot afford miss this if you plan to order or buy a handmade bike in your lifetime. One might wait until 2007 and the East Coast swing of the show; but the Banana Boat will already have sailed by then and the best of the best will be booked solid for several years to come, if not longer. Each builder of extra exquisite and spectacular machines can only build a few really unique pieces each year. Higher volume producers will be available and new talent will be plentiful; but true art bikes by seasoned pros will be limited. I'd start ratholeing some money now and maybe even planning how to make "the big catch" in 2006. Just a word of advice.
Anyway, nice work Anthony, hope to see you in San Jose. Anyone who wants to see the future of handmade bicycles better make it also. I'm serious!
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Hi gang, I just wanted to share the work Anthony Mezzatesta did coming up with a replacement crown for my '57 Scot. The original cast double plate crown was split down the middle. I sent the fork to Anthony to have it disassembled. My plan was to have a machinist try to recreate the crown. Anthony asked to take a crack at it. I think he did a great job. The one on the left is the original which Anthony brazed back together for reference. I also included a few shots of my Mezzatesta track bike.
Marc Berman
Red Hook (Hudson Valley), NY