R.I.P. Brian Baylis
02-22-16, 09:58 AM
#26
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RIP -- a true craftsman.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
02-22-16, 10:12 AM
#27
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There will never be enough men in this world with this attitude, to suit me....
"When the finished product makes the client happy,
and if some appreciate my skill and effort, then I feel
complete. Builders who refuse to put in the effort, much
of which involves lots of time, without financial considerations,
are simply not driven as craftsmen, in the purest sense.
These people are in the "business" of framebuilding."
Brian Baylis
"When the finished product makes the client happy,
and if some appreciate my skill and effort, then I feel
complete. Builders who refuse to put in the effort, much
of which involves lots of time, without financial considerations,
are simply not driven as craftsmen, in the purest sense.
These people are in the "business" of framebuilding."
Brian Baylis
02-22-16, 10:17 AM
#28
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I think there has to be a happy medium where one can express beauty and art for craft, but also make a living.
02-22-16, 12:46 PM
#29
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02-22-16, 01:32 PM
#30
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While I tend to agree, that's not a fair representation of his work. Googling Brian Baylis and Wizard is worthwhile for some good bike art.
Here's one page with a few pictures. And another.
Here's one page with a few pictures. And another.
02-22-16, 04:48 PM
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Never got to meet Brian but got to see and handle a very cool and an extremely rare frame(1 of 1) he had a hand in this build among a very select group of OG builders. Not sure how many people have every seen this. Sorry for the few crusty photos.
-Brian Baylis
-Roland Della Santa
-Doug Fattic
-Bruce Gordon
-Tom Kellogg
-Mark Nobilette
-Richard Sachs
-Peter Weigle
Each had a select part to do for the frame/fork/paint. Even if Brian was still with us Doug was telling me this would most likely never come together again because of issues between a few of these builders today. It currently resides with Doug at his shop in Michigan.
-Brian Baylis
-Roland Della Santa
-Doug Fattic
-Bruce Gordon
-Tom Kellogg
-Mark Nobilette
-Richard Sachs
-Peter Weigle
Each had a select part to do for the frame/fork/paint. Even if Brian was still with us Doug was telling me this would most likely never come together again because of issues between a few of these builders today. It currently resides with Doug at his shop in Michigan.
It just needs a little asterisk by Bruce's name, and a footnote that says "and Bruce was rude to me".
Perhaps it's time to give thanks to all of the frame builders who have contributed to our hobby and provided inspiration. So many amazing creations!
Steve in Peoria
02-22-16, 05:23 PM
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His signature is on the top of one of the chain stays. He was very nice and helpful when I emailed him about a decade ago asking for information on Wizard cycles.
1975 Wizard by Peter Sims, on Flickr
1975 Wizard by Peter Sims, on Flickr
Last edited by bane; 02-22-16 at 05:41 PM.
02-22-16, 05:35 PM
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Sad news indeed. RIP.
02-22-16, 07:09 PM
#34
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While I tend to agree, that's not a fair representation of his work. Googling Brian Baylis and Wizard is worthwhile for some good bike art.
Here's one page with a few pictures. And another.
Here's one page with a few pictures. And another.
02-22-16, 07:09 PM
#35
Full Member
That is incredible. Piece by piece by the masters of the time. What a work of art. So sad to hear about BB. Never had a chance to see his work in person, only drooled over them in the magazines. What an artisan. He will be missed.
Never got to meet Brian but got to see and handle a very cool and an extremely rare frame(1 of 1) he had a hand in this build among a very select group of OG builders. Not sure how many people have every seen this. Sorry for the few crusty photos.
-Brian Baylis
-Roland Della Santa
-Doug Fattic
-Bruce Gordon
-Tom Kellogg
-Mark Nobilette
-Richard Sachs
-Peter Weigle
Each had a select part to do for the frame/fork/paint. Even if Brian was still with us Doug was telling me this would most likely never come together again because of issues between a few of these builders today. It currently resides with Doug at his shop in Michigan.
-Brian Baylis
-Roland Della Santa
-Doug Fattic
-Bruce Gordon
-Tom Kellogg
-Mark Nobilette
-Richard Sachs
-Peter Weigle
Each had a select part to do for the frame/fork/paint. Even if Brian was still with us Doug was telling me this would most likely never come together again because of issues between a few of these builders today. It currently resides with Doug at his shop in Michigan.
02-22-16, 10:17 PM
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His death made me sad today. A true craftsman that was very good at many things. His metal work on his lugs was in a class of its own. His paint was better than almost everyone. Plus I was a fan of his work at Masi. I wish I had bought one of his knives. I hope his brother knows he will be missed by a lot of his fans.
02-22-16, 10:26 PM
#37
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I actually had the privilege of riding with him on a local group ride. He was riding one of his own frames (of course), and everyone was drooling over it.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
02-23-16, 07:56 AM
#39
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How about a "Show your Bayliss" thread? Open to frames he built or frames he painted...
I'd start the thread, but I think it should be created by someone who actually owns one (and has pics!).
I'd start the thread, but I think it should be created by someone who actually owns one (and has pics!).
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02-23-16, 08:27 AM
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I'm all for that, but I suspect it's going to be a short thread. How many of us here actually own a Baylis?
I was going to copy and paste pics of his bikes from the net but ... decided against it.
BTW, many of his multi-colored paint jobs, with gilt lugs and such, don't do much for me. I prefer more subtle approaches to frame painting.
But when you get up close and see the workmanship below the paint, as well as the quality of the painting itself, it is mind blowing.
I was going to copy and paste pics of his bikes from the net but ... decided against it.
BTW, many of his multi-colored paint jobs, with gilt lugs and such, don't do much for me. I prefer more subtle approaches to frame painting.
But when you get up close and see the workmanship below the paint, as well as the quality of the painting itself, it is mind blowing.
02-23-16, 08:54 AM
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I'm all for that, but I suspect it's going to be a short thread. How many of us here actually own a Baylis?
I was going to copy and paste pics of his bikes from the net but ... decided against it.
BTW, many of his multi-colored paint jobs, with gilt lugs and such, don't do much for me. I prefer more subtle approaches to frame painting.d
But when you get up close and see the workmanship below the paint, as well as the quality of the painting itself, it is mind blowing.
I was going to copy and paste pics of his bikes from the net but ... decided against it.
BTW, many of his multi-colored paint jobs, with gilt lugs and such, don't do much for me. I prefer more subtle approaches to frame painting.d
But when you get up close and see the workmanship below the paint, as well as the quality of the painting itself, it is mind blowing.
That said, while nice, it's no nicer than Franklin and I like fresh frames more. The nicest paint I've ever seen is the stuff on my mooney.
02-23-16, 03:46 PM
#42
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This - his stuff would be pretty much my last choice of the big name custom guys. I found out yesterday that two of my bikes have his paint...it is quite nice, but I'm glad he didn't pick the aesthetic.
That said, while nice, it's no nicer than Franklin and I like fresh frames more. The nicest paint I've ever seen is the stuff on my mooney.
That said, while nice, it's no nicer than Franklin and I like fresh frames more. The nicest paint I've ever seen is the stuff on my mooney.
Very much like artwork.
He was a trailblazer. That creativity is rare.
By self report, he did not build to a price, the quantity of effort often outstripped the revenue.
I chalked it up to the love of craft. Not many like that.
02-23-16, 04:39 PM
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"By self report, he did not build to a price, the quantity of effort often outstripped the revenue.
I chalked it up to the love of craft. Not many like that."
That sums it up pretty well. Those wild paint jobs are unique. And the work of an artist.
Who cared more about art than whether or not it would be accepted.
The best kind of artist, in my view.
I chalked it up to the love of craft. Not many like that."
That sums it up pretty well. Those wild paint jobs are unique. And the work of an artist.
Who cared more about art than whether or not it would be accepted.
The best kind of artist, in my view.
02-24-16, 09:05 AM
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Dave Moulton had a nice description of him as working and working on the lugs until he couldn't bear not painting the frame any longer and just had to paint it. Sounds like a real craftsman.
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02-24-16, 10:53 AM
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I first met Brian at the first NAHBS (2005? the photo Chuck posted on page one), after that he and I used to trade emails and he was my
go to guy for information about Mario Confente for a while, he had quite a few good stories about him.
I will miss Brian, miss his humor and his passion for bikes, and yeah he was truly a unique character in this small world of classic bikes.
This has been a tough year for me so far, and Brian's passing only makes it worse.
Marty
Here's a few photo's of Brian and his work from 2005 NAHBS
go to guy for information about Mario Confente for a while, he had quite a few good stories about him.
I will miss Brian, miss his humor and his passion for bikes, and yeah he was truly a unique character in this small world of classic bikes.
This has been a tough year for me so far, and Brian's passing only makes it worse.
Marty
Here's a few photo's of Brian and his work from 2005 NAHBS
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02-25-16, 06:48 AM
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I don't know much about the man, but he seems like a true artist and craftsman. It's sad when the world loses such a person, but their work lives on. I'd like to see some of it in person someday -- interesting to think that perhaps I already have but just didn't know it.
02-25-16, 12:05 PM
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But also had met him earlier at one of the NAHHBS shows in Calif. and chatted with him in person over his fantastic craftsmanship: he struck me as a totally approachable, down-to-earth, regular guy...who just happened to also be a God amongst frame-builders/painters.
A tragic loss.
02-26-16, 09:28 PM
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I would have loved to have a bike like this in my size.
From: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/ne...hoto/566026889
From: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/ne...hoto/566026889
Last edited by Sir_Name; 02-26-16 at 09:55 PM.
02-27-16, 10:32 AM
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I'll have to dig around and try to find the old emails, but good chance they are lost forever in some old hard-drive crash. But IIRC he was into classic "Ringo" Ludwigs (and already had "been there, done that") and most Ludwig stuff I had wasn't impressive, or vintage Slingerland, especially Radio Kings (well what millionaire ISN'T into Radio Kings?) and I have/had nothing in that category. (NOT implying BB was rich, he certainly was not)
I favor Gretsch (some Rogers) and have mainly collected excessive snare drums of many brands over the years but have whittled that collection down...gradually.
How about you? (and we could take this to PM, but then again there may be more drummers in the C&V community who want to chime in. Those GUITAR guys certainly did
)I should add (back to BB and the topic) that IIRC he played drums at one or 2 bicycle events with other bike-industry types who formed a band to play some classic rock covers. It may have been at one of the Classic Rendezvous "Cirque" event(s) but can't remember where or when. It would be a great addition if somebody could find/post a video of that: word had it that Brian was a pretty (damn) good drummer!
Last edited by unworthy1; 02-27-16 at 10:41 AM.