Lenny was a great soul; he is fondly remembered. He would offer to buy my Masi Special, every few months, beginning in the 1970s. Lenny was an enthusiastic great supporter of the NYC racing scene. On several occasions, I was in his shop after hours when he gave a complete bike to racers whom he believed had great potential. He was also the first NYC shop I know that gave bike-fitting sessions to potential customers and aspiring racers.
Michael Allison New York, NY
On Aug 20, 2009, at 12:46 PM, James Swan wrote:
> I was friends with Lenny during those times. He sold me the 531
> tube set that I used to build my first frame in 1981. Here are some
> pictures that I took of Nelson Vails, Lenny and some of the other
> Toga guys:
>
> http://jamieswan.net/
>
> Jamie Swan
> Northport, NY, USA
> http://www.jamieswan.net
>
>
> On Aug 20, 2009, at 12:33 PM, oroboyz@aol.com wrote:
>
>>
>> << Dale can you give more on Toga?? >>
>> The original Toga (not associated with current ownership) was IIRC
>> on Ave B.?
>>
>>
>> It was chocked with exotica.. In the mid 70s I remember many frames
>> incl Masi, Colnago, Speedwell Ti, ?R. Sachs*, etc,. hanging from
>> the crowded ceiling. Small space packed with people bikes and
>> parts. They had their counters built up maybe 3-4 feet so the staff
>> looked down at customers; there was rumored to be an illegal
>> shotgun for protection stashed behind the counter. While they had
>> high end customers, they also had the?hoi polloi and even some
>> rough characters so vigilance was the guiding principle.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> The bike set up procedure was super strict; they tighten stuff
>> twice and hard. The story was that a drug dealer bought a bike,
>> something slipped loose and he came back and sprayed the shop with
>> bullets. They didn't want that to happen again.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> * Toga was the USA exclusive agent for our amigo Richard Sachs in
>> his early days. I still have a price sheet somewhere from those
>> days where the frames were $245 if I recall... Team Toga raced his
>> frames, all painted Toga green & yellow!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> The green and yellow theme worked it's way through much... Manager
>> maybe part owner (?) Lennie Preheim was one of the most eccentric
>> and outrageous race promoter character. At events he wore green
>> everything. Boots, clothes etc. Disparagers said even his teeth
>> were green. But he promoted the shop & team to a high level, at
>> regional races Trexlertown etc. Nelson Vails was an early protege
>> plus rumored Pro Polish riders (sand baggers to others) cleaned up
>> at crit races... Lennie was at that time married to my ex-partner's
>> twin sister. Yes, Lennie was gay, sadly died of aids some years ago.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> But Toga was quite a shop "in the day."
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Dale
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Dale Brown
>>
>> Greensboro, NC
>>
>> (Proprietor of cycles de ORO, once named "Toga #2" although no
>> financial connection...)