Re: [CR] Is it really a Jack Taylor?

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Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:27:10 -0800
From: "bruce thomson" <masi3v4me@yahoo.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Mark Stonich <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
In-Reply-To: <E1NcSM4-0004xG-2u@elasmtp-spurfowl.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Is it really a Jack Taylor?


I have looked at this bike for all three seperate times re-listed.  I am not certain of the model either, however there is one thing that keeps me back.  Well, more than one thing, actually.    If it is a JT, and I assume that it is I would be highly inclined to have it re-finished with the proper paint scheme and decals.  Dont forget the box-lining and the lug highliting.  Now I do have a good stash of parts on hand at home so the replacement of many of the parts would be in order.  Now combine all of that with the shipping price and I would have an expensive project.  If the seller could strip it down to the frame and auction it alone I would be interested again.     If it goes as is then the delivery cost will be near $600.00 , refinished by a COMPETENT painter is about $450 (perhaps including the decals) , box lining and lug highlighting unknown.  So for a mere $1300 you are back in the saddle, so to speak.  Perhaps this is the relevant price for a Jack Taylor after all.  What do you think??     Bruce

Bruce Thomson Spokane WA 99204 (509) 747 4314 Masi3v4me@yahoo.com      rapidfire10ring@hotmail.com


--- On Tue, 2/2/10, Mark Stonich wrote:


From: Mark Stonich <mark@bikesmithdesign.com> Subject: Re: [CR] Is it really a Jack Taylor? To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 3:42 PM

At  2/2/2010 10:02 PM +0000, Norris Lockley wrote:
>Jack Taylor frames were very often very very attractive, beautifully
>enamelled and epitomising a certain "je ne sais quoi" French something or
>other. On the other hand they could be very idiosyncratic..looking as they
>were ABC frames - All Bits Combined, by which I mean that not all the lugs
>came from the same box or even the same series...the front drop-outs did not
>match the rear ones, the treatment of the ends of the chainstays, seat-stays
>and fork blades tips were not always matching as if one person had made the
>frame and someone else had made the fork..without the two ever conferring as
>to style and finish.

My Taylor Tourist has Campag 1060 vertical dropouts at the rear and Suntour fronts.  The rear canti posts are positioned for a 27" wheel, the fronts for a 700c.  Serial numbers match.

The 1060 dropouts have eyelets, which I've only seen on Taylors.
>Having said all that...I have no doubt whatsoever that when that frame was
>factory fresh..in its British Racing Green enamel , with its gold and red
>double-box lining and the Old-English style transfers..it would be a sight
>for sore eyes..a rare beauty for all its idiosyncracies.

Still isn't a bad looking bike, just "different". And losing the original finish won't keep it from being a great bike to ride.  If it were smaller and I didn't already have one, I'd be bidding.

Mark Stonich;
     BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
       5349 Elliot Ave S. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417 USA
            Ph. (612) 824-2372  http://bikesmithdesign.com
                        http://mnhpva.org