Re: [CR]Re: Odd-weird-interesting-scary NOS 1972 Czech bike & saddle

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:11:43 -0500
From: Marcus Coles <marcoles@ody.ca>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Odd-weird-interesting-scary NOS 1972 Czech bike & saddle
References: <255642.10787.qm@web82212.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <45857F85.8090208@eastlink.ca>
In-Reply-To: <45857F85.8090208@eastlink.ca>


Elizabeth & Warren wrote:
> There were many Favorits imported into Canada in the bike boom years
> and the quality was approriately terrible. Heavy dead steel frames.
> All the components on the bikes were branded Favorit. As seen in the
> pictures, the brakes were Mafac Racer knockoffs. Shifters were ala
> Simplex. I've have many chances to own one of these but the quality
> was always worse than department store bikes.
>
> Chain quality was the exception to the rule. As John mentioned, the
> motorcycle industry was strong and there was likely some technology
> crossover. I have a few of NIB Favorit chains including the larger
> 3/16 X 1/2" for the oversized roadster cranks. Very decent. I had a Majestic branded Czechoslovakian 10 speed with Favorit components I think I was the third owner at the time (1972) nobody had kept it very long, I think I paid $40 for it. I think they were around $100 or so new. It had a Rae J. Watson Sports, London, Ontario, (Canada) sticker. I remember it as a fairly light bike, lighter than my Raleigh Grand Prix, but it had been kept outside and was in poor shape by the time I got it, every bolt was rusty and cables rusted. I can't recall all the details as I only had it briefly. I converted it to a fixed gear with the use of epoxy in the freewheel and stripped off the remaining, I thought, unnecessary parts. Sadly one day later it met a quick demise due to an operator brain fade error involving a stationary tour bus and a wooden guard rail in a local park. Being young, resilient and landing on flower beds I was a little stunned and bruised but basically unhurt and eventually built up the courage to return to fixed gear riding 30 years later.

Marcus Coles
London, Ontario, Canada.