Classic & Vintage - Hetchens rebuild

Boy I don't know if I should be keeping this bike around for a re-build. The frame is in good order but needs a complete re-chrome of the stays and then it will need a two color painting and pin striping. A large cost i am sure :(.

I know about guys like Ed Litten in CA but haven ot used him. I have read about a few others on this web. My mind is however wondering just where to start and pick one of these guys because I have never required such a complete redo(inc chrome and all).

Comments?

I asked this same question of a respected CR lister about a year ago when I was thinking of having my late 60's Masi touched up (which I ultimately decided against). The recommendation, which I would assume applies equally well to your Hetchins: Brian Baylis (though not sure of his status nowadays), Ed Litton, Peter Weigle and Mike Barry. But you'll of course want to solicit other opinions.

Mike Barry is now retired, though he would have been a fine choice.
Another possiblity not yet mentioned might be to contact Bob Freeman at Elliott Bay Bicycles in Seattle, as he seems to have a real affinity for British bikes.

Boy I don't know if I should be keeping this bike around for a re-build ... needs a complete re-chrome of the stays and then it will need a two color painting and pin striping. A large cost I am sure :(.

No, get rid of it! It will cost a fortune to repaint it.

If it's 55-60 cm's with those odd bent stays, I'd be glad to remunerate you appropriately! :D
More so if it's around 58cm. ;)
I'll take it as-is, but pay as if its been rechromed & painted. :p


Please say YES! :)

Good start on the guys to contact. In fact I contacted Bob Freeman at Elliott Bay Bicycles in Seattle and was advised because of the cost of chroming,about 400.00, I could expect about a total cost of 1000.00 for the complete job.

Can I get contact info for ED Liten and the others? Looked up Ed and did not find a site???

Wonder if oil prices are driving the cost of chroming up.
You can try Ed Litton via this contact info, unless it's out of date:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Ed_Litton.htm
First thing that came up when I googled, by the way.
The cheapest restoration/repaint is not always your best bet if you're concerned about longterm value, by the way. A miss is as good as a mile when it comes to a really desirable bike. My .02.

In Canada Mike Barry's painter is still active although Mr. Barry retired. For the chrome I wouldn't know for sure but Marinoni (also in Canada) certainly does it.

In Canada Mike Barry's painter is still active although Mr. Barry retired. For the chrome I wouldn't know for sure but Marinoni (also in Canada) certainly does it.

But does he have the restoration expertise? I'm not saying he doesn't - I have no idea one way or the other. But I'd want to find out before sending him my Hetchins. An aweful lot of vintage bike knowledge certainly resides with Mike.