Fifty Plus (50+) - Sheldon Brown Headbadge

I am currently restoring an old French tandem and had corresponded with Sheldon Brown a few times on some of the issues of the rebuild. Now that he is gone I am considering dedicating it to him by adding a commerative headbadge of the famous eagle-topped CaptBike picture that you've all seen. But I thought I'd run that idea by this group first. I don't want it to seem silly or disrepectful. I captured the picture and did a quick ppt graphic just to get some early ideas. Anybody think this is stupid?

I think it is a fine idea. If it were me, I would use a very simple design.

I like it.

As long as you put a Real Man saddle on the captain's post, it will be appropriate. :D

I think its a nice idea. I would probably remove the "In Memory Of" caption. The pic and CaptBike is sufficient to get that message across. IMHO.

It's a great idea! Second on the removal of "In Memory of"

I think its a nice idea. I would probably remove the "In Memory Of" caption. The pic and CaptBike is sufficient to get that message across. IMHO.


I'm across the water and Sheldon is well enough known to me to need no caption "in memory of". One of the greats that will never be forgotten.

I really like the idea. You may want to run this by the estate so you don't run into any legal problems, image rights, etc. Great idea and if you do a production run I would be interested in obtaining one. Never knew Sheldon but I think he would be honored.

I'm sure this has been posted in at least one of the various Sheldon threads, but hadn't seen it until today so I'm passing it along. A nice story on him that was published by the Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/02/08/homespun_wisdom/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed3

I think it is a very good and honorable idea. I agree with those above. I would leave off the "in memory of". For anyone who sees it they will know what it means if they new of him. I never corresponded with him at all, but I went to his site often to learn about things bicycle. When I would be over in the mechanics forum it seemed that when he popped in, everybody listened.

I agree with other posters. No need for "in memory of".

I like your idea very much. I'm also in favor of leaving off "in memory of".

"In memory of" is fitting, as he is in our memories. To me these words are a meaningful tribute to a person who is missed dearly. I bet Sheldon would be proud to be memorialized on our bikes.

Nice thought
But like gcottay (http://bikeforums.net/member.php?u=92026), I think it will be nicer if you make it more simple. And it will likely last longer and not fade. Sheldon is an icon. Think graphic icon.
But whatever you do, it's a sweet tribute.

I ran across this shop while trying to decide which headbadge to put on my custom SS I'm building up. They might be able to fabricate your design...

http://www.headbadges.com/

I had included "in memory of" because I didn't want to imply that Sheldon was somehow a sponsor or investor in this bike, nor was it part of a larger line under his name. Just a simple tribute.

I'd like to modify the picture to be a simple line drawing (like the Ravielli and/or hedcut samples below) but I don't have that artistic capabilities and haven't found a good "effect" from any drawing apps I've used. I'll play around a bit, but am open to further suggestions.

Hedcut (like WSJ uses)

Hedcut (like WSJ uses)

That would look great if you could get it engraved on a piece of curved metal and
have a 'real' old fashioned headbadge.

I had included "in memory of"...

You could shorten it to "IMO CaptBike" if that would make it easier to manufacturer.

Hedcut (like WSJ uses)
dbg, you are really onto something here. How about contacting his family and getting permission to create a Hedcut for a few different things that could be used for charity? Jerseys might also be a cool thing and Harris can raffle them off at Interbike for charity goals.

Have you run this by anyone at Harris Cycles?
It's a great idea and possibly the folks at Harris would like to know of your intentions. Maybe this or some form of a Sheldon commemorative could be a vehicle to support his web site and keep that wealth of knowledge as a vibrant legacy to Capt. Bike.

Not only is it not stupid, I'd be among the first in line to buy one. It'd make a great headbadge, especially in cast brass or sterling.

Scott P
Bend, OR

I'm no Photoshop whiz, but here's my amateurish attempt...

So I'd plan to play this very carefully. I don't want appear as a slick stranger looking to make a buck off his name. I only want to honor a helpful and generous man who has helped me (and thousands more) with his knowledge and experience. It would be great to have his likeness as the figurehead leading me on all my bike adventures.

I'm still leaning mildly toward including the "in memory of" phrase. I might investigate various options for artwork and maybe even commision a real headbadge if I can find something I like. All rights and ownership (for any tooling or design work done by anybody I deal with) would be given to the family.

I'm still interested in what you'all think.

I like the idea dbg. Agree that you'd need to work with the family and/or Harris.

I'm repainting my MTB in the spring, I would like to use the image for a head badge. I was going to use a flaming skull, but I like this way better.

Thanks for the idea.

I just had a brainstorm. I bought some decal paper last summer. I built up a bike for my wife and painted it black. I thought it would be cool to put my own decals on it. She didn't agree. So I have this paper just sitting around.

The described technique is that you print your image on the paper with your inkjet printer, apply it to your bike with water like a normal decal, then spray it with some sort of cleaer finish to protect it.

I'm thinking I can put an image of CaptBike somewhere on my bike as a tribute. His passing has really touched me personally. I feel like doing something.

If I ever do a tribute ride, I will suggest that everyone wear some sort of figurine on their helmet, like his eagle. (See my avatar: that's a Goofy figurine, I think from McDonald's, on my helmet. It's a tribute to Sheldon.)

Love the idea. Sheldon was a legend of biking and this would be a fitting tribute.

I think a headbadge image has limitations, however, not the least of which is the reluctance or inconvenience of many to remove their current badge.

I think a press-on decal like the type that goes on auto windows has greater possibilities. Two advantages are:

1. . . You could keep the original, widely recognized "eagle helmet" image because all manner of color and detail are possible with these decals.

2. . . You could put it on other parts of the bike instead of just on the head tube. I'd prefer to put mine on my fork.

Just my 0.02

Might want to check this out
http://www.bikenames.com/

Might want to check this out
http://www.bikenames.com/

I used them for a bike project I'm working on. The decal came out looking great.

Something that could be affixed to a bike (decal) or a jersey (patch) would be totally appropriate in my opinion.

well, instead of "in memory of", you could go with cap'n bike on the top, and the years he was here "19xx-2008" underneath....