One of my Doug Fattic bikes was found in a storage unit
#1
framebuilder
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One of my Doug Fattic bikes was found in a storage unit
One of my curiosities is what happens to frames/bikes I made years ago. I got this email recently from a guy cleaning out a storage unit. He recognized without training that this frame was made to a high standard. It has obviously been altered from it original configuration. Besides the upright handlebars, I spot kickstand. If taken off there will probably be indents where the top and bottom were pressed together. It looks like the original Campy brakes are still there. I’m curious about the drive train. I don’t recognize it. Every frame I made was custom designed with no 2 being exactly the same. He hasn’t responded yet to my return email where I hoped to get a little more information so I could identify who I made it for. I’m guessing I made this frame 35 to 40 years ago. I liked to do tone on tone colors and blue was a favorite. If only the bike could talk! It would tell an interesting story. One thing I know for sure is that I did not design this bike for upright handlebars!
Here is what he wrote me:
“Hello! I was wondering if you had any information about a bicycle that I found while cleaning out a storage unit. At first glance I thought it was just another old bicycle, then the frame caught my eye. The joints and cuts were perfect, The rounded cut on the seat tube, just the little details. As someone who appreciates craftsmanship I noticed these things. Someone made this bike, there was pride in the work quality. I am an avid automotive guy but bicycles are not my thing. I grew up in the era of BMX so the styling couldn’t be different. But was curious of the story behind this bike.”
Here is what he wrote me:
“Hello! I was wondering if you had any information about a bicycle that I found while cleaning out a storage unit. At first glance I thought it was just another old bicycle, then the frame caught my eye. The joints and cuts were perfect, The rounded cut on the seat tube, just the little details. As someone who appreciates craftsmanship I noticed these things. Someone made this bike, there was pride in the work quality. I am an avid automotive guy but bicycles are not my thing. I grew up in the era of BMX so the styling couldn’t be different. But was curious of the story behind this bike.”
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Looks my size...
🤪
🤪
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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It can't be much good, it has stem shifters. 😋😁😉 Too bad the guy didn't send more & better pics. 🙂
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#6
framebuilder
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I'm wondering if there is a Brooks B-17 hiding under the seat cover. I've always been a fan of Brooks even when they were seen as old fashioned. Customers always chose whatever saddle worked for them but often I'd have them try out a Brooks if they hadn't had the opportunity yet.
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#7
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Crank looks like it could be Shimano Deore; incongruously low-end for such a nice frame. I can't see the rest of the drivetrain clearly enough to make any guesses.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
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I haven't seen a chain in a tube like that in ages.
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Shimano Dyna Drive Pedals. So epically awesome
https://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.com...ng-gruppo.html
https://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.com...ng-gruppo.html
Last edited by Reynolds 531; 12-12-22 at 12:29 PM.
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Curious as to what part of the country it ended up in.
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Like that sweep on the fork... Must have a nice ride...
OK... Find that oil can and get this baby some new shoes then
OK... Find that oil can and get this baby some new shoes then
Fire-Er Up!
She deserves it...
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#12
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Oh, not the chain on the top tube and the seatpost flutes in the frame! Looks like it went into utility service.
#13
framebuilder
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I'm really curious too! I hope he replies to my return email. My typical marketing area was mostly in the Midwest, Michigan of course but only the western half as Matt Assenmacher was a painter builder near Flint on the other side of the state. I got lots of orders for both frames and paint in Ohio and Indiana and Illinois. I sent a few frames to Colorado and Texas and some overseas too. However in most cases I would like to fit a customer personally so that limited my reach to those that could drive to my shop.
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Crank looks like it could be Shimano Deore; incongruously low-end for such a nice frame. I can't see the rest of the drivetrain clearly enough to make any guesses.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
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#16
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I seem to recall that the arms were cast, rather than forged. Perhaps I'm wrong about that.
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Says "forged outer sprocket with smooth lines". Doesnt mention the crankarms but I'm almost certain they are forged too.
Last edited by dgodave; 12-12-22 at 04:04 PM.
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#18
Senior Member
...incongruously low-end for such a nice frame.
Having said that, the Campy brakes never were cheap.
*****
I don't get the Deore chainset's purpose/place in a product lineup. I can see using a 50.4 BCD crank, but why not do a full Cyclotouriste copy? Why introduce yet another BCD for middle rings connected to a 5 pin 50.4 BCB crank, especially with a 3rd BCD for the inner ring?
Last edited by philbob57; 12-12-22 at 05:06 PM.
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That's gotta be cool to see your work pop up again like that. That fork crown looks really interesting! @Doug Fattic do you remember what crown that was?
#20
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That is a cool fork crown, Tricky, I agree.
Love the color scheme. Tasteful and classic.
Components would put it 1983-1985, maybe?. If that’s what it was originally equipped with.
Love the color scheme. Tasteful and classic.
Components would put it 1983-1985, maybe?. If that’s what it was originally equipped with.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#21
framebuilder
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The fork crown is a Henry James. The lugs probably are too but I can't tell from the pictures he sent. Hank Folson started making frame materials in the late 70's until he retired a few years ago. One of his casting houses was near me in Indiana on Lake Michigan.
Back 40 years ago (+ -) I would make a custom frame for someone with a modest income (like a teacher for example) and put more affordable parts on it with the understanding they could be upgraded when funds were available. It is possible I put these parts on it (or I just sold them the frame) but that doesn't seem likely. This bicycle has been obviously modified some. It looks like it has a band shifter cable stop above the braze-on lever bosses. This is for when they put on upright handlebars. If the original owner wanted to put on a rear rack, I would have put on braze-ons to hold it.
I would love to see a side picture so I can tell what kind of design I used on this frame. We'll see if he ever writes me back.
Back 40 years ago (+ -) I would make a custom frame for someone with a modest income (like a teacher for example) and put more affordable parts on it with the understanding they could be upgraded when funds were available. It is possible I put these parts on it (or I just sold them the frame) but that doesn't seem likely. This bicycle has been obviously modified some. It looks like it has a band shifter cable stop above the braze-on lever bosses. This is for when they put on upright handlebars. If the original owner wanted to put on a rear rack, I would have put on braze-ons to hold it.
I would love to see a side picture so I can tell what kind of design I used on this frame. We'll see if he ever writes me back.
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#22
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The fork crown is a Henry James. The lugs probably are too but I can't tell from the pictures he sent. Hank Folson started making frame materials in the late 70's until he retired a few years ago. One of his casting houses was near me in Indiana on Lake Michigan.
Back 40 years ago (+ -) I would make a custom frame for someone with a modest income (like a teacher for example) and put more affordable parts on it with the understanding they could be upgraded when funds were available. It is possible I put these parts on it (or I just sold them the frame) but that doesn't seem likely. This bicycle has been obviously modified some. It looks like it has a band shifter cable stop above the braze-on lever bosses. This is for when they put on upright handlebars. If the original owner wanted to put on a rear rack, I would have put on braze-ons to hold it.
I would love to see a side picture so I can tell what kind of design I used on this frame. We'll see if he ever writes me back.
Back 40 years ago (+ -) I would make a custom frame for someone with a modest income (like a teacher for example) and put more affordable parts on it with the understanding they could be upgraded when funds were available. It is possible I put these parts on it (or I just sold them the frame) but that doesn't seem likely. This bicycle has been obviously modified some. It looks like it has a band shifter cable stop above the braze-on lever bosses. This is for when they put on upright handlebars. If the original owner wanted to put on a rear rack, I would have put on braze-ons to hold it.
I would love to see a side picture so I can tell what kind of design I used on this frame. We'll see if he ever writes me back.
I wonder what the fate of the bike will be. Do you have a desire to see it back out on the road? Or is it more whatever happens, happens?
#23
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Crank looks like it could be Shimano Deore; incongruously low-end for such a nice frame. I can't see the rest of the drivetrain clearly enough to make any guesses.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=115&AbsPos=30
I also have a "Deer Head" Deore group salvaged from a crashed early 80s touring frame awaiting its next adventure.
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https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#24
framebuilder
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I've noticed a kind of shift from collecting European frames to American made frames. The irony is that the best made frames were made in much smaller volume so are not as well known so don't get as much recognition with the result that they are not as desirable. So it would be nice to see this frame modified again so the parts fit the purpose for which it was designed.
With we started our charity Ukraine Bicycle Project in 2000, I went into a deep study of how to make a transportation/utility bicycle with upright handlebars. But that wasn't what we were doing 40 years ago. Customers wanted a bike that would make them ride faster/easier. My guess that one aging option for this bike was that as the owner got older he needed a different more upright position.