Re: [CR]Welded Ti frames Keeper of the Flame?

(Example: Framebuilders:Masi)

Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 08:36:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Welded Ti frames Keeper of the Flame?
To: OROBOYZ@aol.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <110.57631864.30c1c914@aol.com>


Well, I guess my Teledyne, Graftek, ALAN's and Vituses are only On Topic by virtue of having been made before 1983, and would not qualify under the KOF rule had they been built later. I presume that electric-arc welded (not sure it was TIG back then) steel frames like Schwinn Varsity and even Huffy and Murray "ten-speeds" would be On Topic as well if built before 1983, although there might be some debate as to whether they qualified as "lightweights". Is anyone aware of any high-quality electric-arc welded steel frames from before 1983 with weights comparable to top quality lugged frames?

Regards,

Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX

OROBOYZ@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 12/2/2005 10:12:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, hetchinspete1@yahoo.com writes:

<< I guess it depends for now on your interpretation of what Dales describes as welded. If my interests still took me away from bikes of the U.K. I would certainly love to have a few of the original Titaniums in my grouping like Speedwell & Teledyne. Since Dale lists both frames on the CR pages, I would guess that sets a precedent for the list, and a shop like Merlin could be considered KOF. >>

Actually inclusion of the Speedwells and Teledynes is just luck, due to their date of manufacture, as their makeup does not fit what I envision as a handcrafted product where aesthetics and identifiable differentiation is a strong part of their persona. They really were the harbinger of a modern era where bikes with character were to almost disappear. Certainly filet brazed frames also stretch this definition, but in this, the entirety of the bike often is of the "Constructeur" approach where those individualistic end goals are met.

Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC USA