CAUTION BIKE PORN; naked pics inside...

[rody]

Hey folks,

A discussion in a previous thread between Elev12K and myself

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=943

prompted me to post up this thread. The question of quality of fabrication, what is hiding under your paint, is a story unique to each builder. The naked frame bluntly reveals the truth in quality and care the builder puts into a frame as well as his beliefs in fabrication techniques.

I've always found it fascinating to see the work of some of the most ballyhooed builders when all the fanciness of paint and decals are removed. Honestly, you would be surprised by some. In addition, as you would expect, most of the old school masters indeed are.

Here are a few pics of one of my frames, naked, blasted, and ready for paint. This frame is all 4130 aircraft chromoly with water jet cut drops, Tig welded at all structural joints, and hand brazed for the dropouts and fiddly bits. A frame like this takes about 40 hours to construct and passes only one set of hands.

Have resto pics of your favorite frame naked? Would love to see some Fats, Bontys, Goats, Kleins naked and strutting their stuff. Always nice to see craftmanship that sets these bikes apart from manufactured/production line frames.

keep it groovy,

rody

 

[cchris2lou]

very nice ,
you should launch your own brand ,

I have just finished stripping my yeti , i will put a picture later on .

It is going to be powdercoated this week .

 

[Elev12k]

Okay... okay.... drool

Very sturdy non tapered stays. Sturdy front triangle too... Slooping tt, but also long with additional tube reinforced seattube - very smart construction.

Great piece of craftmanship. Perfection = very good I really like perfection.

Why isn't is everyone riding such a bike???? At least it would do exactly everything what I expect from a bike.

Unfortunatley I do not have naked frames to show, as a) I do not built and b) all frames that were worn I threw away or were replaced under warranty.

I once stumbled upon this topic. It is on naked frames, it goes even further; it is on what is inside, what isn't visible.... a cool topic.

 

[Anonymous]

Damn.....I'm impressed :shock:
Do you build frame's like that on request?
It's really the kind of hardcore style I love.
Always loved the grove hardcore, but didn't (and still don't) like the geometry of it ..... you're frame seems to be the best of both worlds.
My compliments

ps will be stripping an old SCAPIN frame soon. I'll let you know

 

[yo-eddy]

Ok elev12k, I'm no longer a guest, just signed in
above "guest" reply was mine.

 

[rutteger]

Rody,

awesome. There can be no finer advertisement for your work

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

That is so cool Rody. I want you to teachme how to do it.

 

[gump]

geez rody, that welding is well tidy!!

Do you still build many frames?

 

[rody]

Thanks for the kind words guys, looking more to stimulate an interest in what it takes to build a handmade bike vs. the mass produced frames of the 90's.

yo-eddy...yeah, I build those on request

Jez...if you want to ante up for the airfare you can spend some time in the shop with me Always enjoy sharing the craft with those sincere about learning.

Gump...building about 6 or so a year. Kids are involved in more stuff, work demands more time, and I gotta save time for me and my interests (rock/ice climbing, riding, whitewater kayaking) so I am not as "busy" as I use to be.

I believe everyone should check out the process at least once. You'll have a new respect for the work that goes into producing your smiles

cheers,

rody

 

[Simon]

Jez - sounds like a holiday opportunity, I'll join you!