Thanks, Ray, you've identified well the challenges of extracting information so others can share in the knowledge. I've read some pretty lame interviews in our cycling publications. I suppose you've now exposed the weakness in my plan to rope tie each framebuilder into a wooden chair below a slow water drip with bamboo shoots under their fingernails and try to ask a few polite questions.
I was inspired by information passed on to me by a Mr. Ron Sant of Middlewich, Dheshire, England. He had researched and written up some history of framebuilders in the Manchester area. He had contacted me because he knew I had gotten some of Johnny Berry's framebuilding equipment and wanted to know if I had any stories to tell. Unfortunately he died a short time ago. From what he had written, I had a better picture of not only the individual builders but the bicycle building scene in that area as well. This knowledge makes my Berry frame more interesting and complete.
So, more than knowing what toothpaste a framebuilder uses, I'm interested in the context and motivations that surround him and can give clues to why he builds what he does. For example in England 20 or 30 years ago, the guys that rode custom frames expected to spend a lot less than what was acceptable here. That price point difference is going to effect how a frame is built. Another example would be my framebuilding friend Rich Gangle who was/is a first caliber racer (and framebuilder too). This background has him predominately making a different style of bicycle than me who trains with the boys but can also like to smell the flowers. Our interests lead us in certain ways that attract different customers and therefore requirements for the bicycles we make.
Another example is when I was teaching conversational English in Japan in 1970 and visited some framebuiders. I could not not for the life of me figure out why they were brazing on attachments so a Cyclo 3 or 4 rear speed derailleur could be used. It didn't make any sense to me that when Japan was the innovator in derailleur design, their framebuiders were using obsolete stuff.
So some kind of questions needs to be asked that can illuminate the person and the surrounding forces that make him what he is. I'm hoping someone will help me figure out what methods could be used give more light on what we collect and when they get passed on.
Doug Fattic, Niles, Michigan
Ray Homiski wrote:
"Doug, had the pleasure of meeting you at Cirque last year. I pondered your question for a moment and the thought came to me. Why bombard any builder with questions in the attempt to gain knowledge and facts. To me that is to Barbara Walter-ish."
"I had the luck and pleasure of visiting two builders over the summer. Richard Sachs and Peter Weigle and I learned a lot when they were just allowed to be themselves and speak about their craft. The history of their beginnings and voyage through their careers seemed a bit more realistic then responses to a scripted format. I was captivated to hear Mr. Sachs describe how he got the bug to be a bike mechanic and how that transformed into a builder by fate and circumstanc. Mr. Weigle also captured my attention with his telling of the story of his illusive Ferrari bicycle. I would much rather hear the stories unforced and natural then a response to what their favorite color is or what TV program they enjoy. I read one such bicycle builders interview recently and no matter how they tried it came off sounding like the responses from the Miss America contest.
I know this is not exactly an answer to your question but if a way could be found to capture the interview from the builders perspective allowing them to self interview if you will, I think it would make for a much better read for future generations. Present company included of course."
Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ