Landshark - 1990 John Slawta Article
01-11-20, 06:54 PM
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Landshark - 1990 John Slawta Article
Not a ton of insight in here, but I thought it was cool...
Higgins, Bill; Frame Fame; The Los Angeles Times, July 19, 1990; Pgs E9A and E9C
Higgins, Bill; Frame Fame; The Los Angeles Times, July 19, 1990; Pgs E9A and E9C
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01-11-20, 07:24 PM
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Great story, always like how many of these these guys are basically straightforward and to the point. Many of us like to ooh, aah, drool and daydream about the whimsy of it all.
Nothing glamorous about it, blacksmithing meets jewelry making, the magic happens somewhere in between and you better be damn good at all of it.
Richard Schwinn put it well when I asked who might have made my 58 Paramount frame, said something to the effect of "not sure, but there is nothing romantic about frame building, it's a dirty, nasty job."
Nothing glamorous about it, blacksmithing meets jewelry making, the magic happens somewhere in between and you better be damn good at all of it.
Richard Schwinn put it well when I asked who might have made my 58 Paramount frame, said something to the effect of "not sure, but there is nothing romantic about frame building, it's a dirty, nasty job."
01-11-20, 07:40 PM
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I can't remember who, but one builder decscibed making frames as "light-weight plumbing with paint".
01-11-20, 08:02 PM
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Six frames a week? 300/year? Is that what I'm reading? Including paint? @$760/frame, that's a net of $228k. Even after expenses, the guy was making some coin as framebuilding goes.
Reading further, that bike he built for Dwight Clark (49er remembered for "The Catch") came into Garner's Pro Bikes when I was working in the Redwood City store many years ago. His wife's assistant called to make an appointment for her. She pulled up in front of the shop in a Land Rover with her kids, dropped off two Land Sharks (his and hers) that were boxed up. She said they were from a photo shoot that she and Dwight did, they got to keep the bikes. We assembled them for her, I think the owner hand delivered them.
Reading further, that bike he built for Dwight Clark (49er remembered for "The Catch") came into Garner's Pro Bikes when I was working in the Redwood City store many years ago. His wife's assistant called to make an appointment for her. She pulled up in front of the shop in a Land Rover with her kids, dropped off two Land Sharks (his and hers) that were boxed up. She said they were from a photo shoot that she and Dwight did, they got to keep the bikes. We assembled them for her, I think the owner hand delivered them.
Last edited by gugie; 01-11-20 at 08:07 PM.
01-11-20, 08:58 PM
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01-12-20, 05:01 AM
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He makes carbon frames now, right?
01-12-20, 08:45 AM
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Did he stay in SCal??
I was under the impression he was north of San Francisco.
But, i'm regularly misthunkin.
edit: Talent, Oregon between Ashland & Medford presently.
https://landsharkbicycles.com/
I was under the impression he was north of San Francisco.
But, i'm regularly misthunkin.
edit: Talent, Oregon between Ashland & Medford presently.
https://landsharkbicycles.com/
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01-12-20, 08:47 AM
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01-12-20, 10:06 AM
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When he was in SoCal the bikes appeared Criterium Geometry
basic effective metalwaork
attention getting paint.
I had no money as a college student so did not inquire. Had quite a following of cat 3, cat 2 racers wanting something different.
basic effective metalwaork
attention getting paint.
I had no money as a college student so did not inquire. Had quite a following of cat 3, cat 2 racers wanting something different.
01-12-20, 10:18 AM
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This thread needs some pics of Landsharks. Here's mine:
01-12-20, 10:49 AM
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01-12-20, 11:47 AM
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06-23-20, 09:09 PM
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I have never owned a LS but have worked on a few dozen here in the Northwest. I have never seen a more creative painter, only Dario Pegoretti ever came close!
06-24-20, 02:07 AM
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I always forget Land Shark..
6k for a complete bike with custom frame is a heck of deal
6k for a complete bike with custom frame is a heck of deal
