[CR]1951 Hetchins mystery

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2006 11:50:08 -0400
From: "Edward Albert" <Edward.H.Albert@hofstra.edu>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]1951 Hetchins mystery

HELP! I very much am in need of advice from the list. Recently I purchased a 1951 Hetchins Magnum Opus phase One from the original owner. At the time he got the bike he lived and raced in New York and special ordered it with double downtube cable stop braze on fittings for Cyclo bar end shifters. He also had a front derailleur braze on put on the seat tube. As can be seen in the pics the Cyclo shifters have been replaced by early Campy Gran Sports, the rear derailleur with a nuovo record, and the front derailleur with a "home made" adaption of an early Campy gran sport to fit the fitting. Here is the rub. the gran sport no longer functions and he has no recollection of what the original front derailleur was. Search as I may I cannot find anything that might work on this braze on, which, I must add, IS original to the 1951 build. I have spoken with Frank Berto about it (he has not seen the pics) and he thought that perhaps the original was a a Simplex Juy 53. Seems the Juy 53 actually came out in 52 and the bike was probably not delivered until 52. Anyway, I have looked at that derailleur and am unsure if it could work....even if it could it is an unobtainable I think. Again, Anyone have any thoughts about what might work here. Otherwise I think the spot will remain empty. I don't think I could take that Pics of the bike can be seen on wool jersey at the following address: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=159061

Again, Any and all thoughts greatly apppreciated.
Edward Albert
Chappaqua, NY