RE: [CR]Re: Fake Hoods & Decals & What Else

(Example: Bike Shops)

From: "Roman Stankus" <rstankus@mindspring.com>
To: "'Nick Zatezalo'" <nickzz@mindspring.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: RE: [CR]Re: Fake Hoods & Decals & What Else
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 08:17:11 -0500
In-Reply-To: <31301591.1131504052185.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Thread-Index: AcXk1kYX8OUYXL1gQIaVtfkqB/KufQAVWgLg


To me, this topic comes down to the collector/user issue.

To those for whom collecting is paramount - original is the ultimate way to get real satisfaction.

As soon as you say, this bike is a regular rider, the pains involved in maintaining the consumables on such a bike(the older - the more difficult) make it more reasonable to accept modern reproductions or equivalents to the original parts. For those that find the experience of the ride of an old machine as exciting as the object itself, many are more than willing to accept the "compromise" of modern equivalents that allow one to enjoy the experience - although, the closer to the original the better! We all have to find our own lever of comfort with these issues.

To me bikes have been both vehicles of experience and objects to be admired on their own terms as design statements. My own temperament and life situation allow me to be happy with many compromises in the accuracy of my machines - but I don't consider myself a collector - more an admirer of beautiful things. That's a big difference! Perfect old bikes are like the national parks - it's just nice to know they're there even if you can't be there very often yourself. Being part of this group is like that - I get to enjoy the obsessions of so many others without suffering all the work myself. I do sometimes fantasize about owning a proper bike or two and may work on that over the next few years.

Roman Stankus Atlanta, Ga.

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Nick Zatezalo Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 9:41 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Fake Hoods & Decals & What Else

For me; the only thrill comes from original.

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but it ain't the real deal !!!

Once again...WHY bother???

Nick Zatezalo Atlanta,Ga

-----Original Message----- From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net> Sent: Nov 8, 2005 9:25 PM To: Nick Zatezalo <nickzz@mindspring.com>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Fake Hoods & Decals & What Else

"Why any one wants to buy a non-original part is totally beyond my comprehension; unless they are also looking to deceive for profit or gratification.

Reproductions are nothing more or less than substitutes for the real thing. Why bother?????"

Wow, Nick... I thought I was a purist!

What about Nick's (Lloyds Cycles) decals? They are reproductions of the originals. Would these be worth bothering with? Are you going to hold out for originals. Or indeed what about repainting a cycle with non original paint? Or what about my reproduction (albeit clearly offered as such) Raleigh roadster grips c. 1950s? I guess this project must have been "gratifying"; it sure as heck hasn't been profitable!

How long has it been since Campagnolo made these globe badged brake hoods? A

quarter of a century?? Methinks it's not going to be that much longer before

the last of the "real thing" is dragged, kicking and screaming, from the fridge (or wherever these are best mummified) and put on eBay for a Buy it Now at $178.00? Sooner or later, reproductions of some of the essential perishables are going to be required. And welcome. Even if the recreator does it for gratification and profit.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA