Badging up an unknown frame, etiquette

[Jiveman60]

Got my shonkey calipers on it.
28.8 seat and down tube
25.6 top tube
27.2 seat post

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Give your own shop a name, and use that on any bike that needs decals and you want to show off.

Here in Holland it was common practice for bike shops to want their own house brand. They'd buy frames elsewhere and put their own decals on them.

One of the most famous shops, Bontekoe in The Hague, did that with all sorts of frames for decades. I own a few:

Late forties / early fifties Locomotief - Bontekoe:

Sixties Gazelle - Bontekoe:

Seventies Viner - Bontekoe:

Seventies Alan - Bontekoe:

Early eighties Miki - Bontekoe:

Late eighties / early nineties Stronglight Altec - Bontekoe:

Nice bikes, I feel nearly normal

 

[novocaine]

so many of my bikes have been labelled as Kustom that when I'm on a real makers bike friends get confused.

be unique, it beats copying others.

 

[KermitGKona88]

JIVEMAN CYCLES
JIVEMAN CYCLES

 

[Nabeaquam]

Beer sticker or I’ve used beer can cutouts for a head badge. I once used a vintage beer can cutout for a beer that went out of business. I found the can inside an abandoned 1930s car. One side was rusted through but the side with the cartoon of a fifer was intact.

 

[non-fixie]

Nice bikes, I feel nearly normal

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better too.

As I posted these I realised that I may just have a few bikes too many. Especially since the Alan is the only one that actually fits somewhat decently.

 

[Old Ned]

Or a very rare A.P. Enis.

Ivor B. Gunne. Frame builder to the stars

 

[dirttorpedo]

I have a very nice unknown frame that I'll never identify. 531 professional, 531 butted chrome forks added later with the frame number etched by hand. Long spearpoint heart cut out Prugnat lugs. Seat collar is threaded. Campagnolo drop outs f&r.
Mid 80s.
I'd like it decaled up.
I guess a shop that never actually built frames is okay?

I don't think its ok to attribute it to any brand if you aren't 100% certain. My friend refurbished bikes and created his own branding and got custom decals for his finished product. I think that's a great way to go.

 

[TreaderSteve]

You could call it something - like 'Whirlwind' - yes, I know, don't laugh - but something.

I've an unknown 50's ladies fillet brazed frame lovely and light, no idea who made it - the plan is to get H Lloyd to do some downtube decals in a 50's script saying 'Pipistrelle', with a 'P' as a headbadge. All fancy with shadows.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I think it's ok to call it something it isn't. Not ok to pass it off as genuine though. Use your surname like a frame builder? Edit Apologies already said the first part on the previous page