Hetchens?
03-28-07, 08:17 AM
#1
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Hetchens?
I am new but I did do a search. Doesn't anyone have a Hetchens?
I got one from an old guy who bought it from a guy in UK. After research he found out the frame was made(one of two) for a show back in the early 60's. It was then given by the Hetchens Co. to a friend and the friend ended up selling it.
It has a nice purple paint job but the paint seems to be brittle. In fact, I hesitate to ride it(after building it up) because of this fact. Any thoughts on protecting the paint?
I got one from an old guy who bought it from a guy in UK. After research he found out the frame was made(one of two) for a show back in the early 60's. It was then given by the Hetchens Co. to a friend and the friend ended up selling it.
It has a nice purple paint job but the paint seems to be brittle. In fact, I hesitate to ride it(after building it up) because of this fact. Any thoughts on protecting the paint?
03-28-07, 08:24 AM
#2
feros ferio
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Nkce bike, and not that common in the U.S., although I know a British ex-pat and former HetchIns employee with 24 of them.
Are you familiar with this website? https://www.hetchins.org/100.htm
Are you familiar with this website? https://www.hetchins.org/100.htm
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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
03-28-07, 08:33 AM
#3
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I know that Hetchins is known for their own patented chainstays - I think they're called "curly" stays. There is an older gentleman that rides daily in my area who has a very clean late model Bob Jackson that is built with the "Hetchins" stays. Definitely unique.
03-28-07, 08:43 AM
#4
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Well it looks like I have a Magnum Opus. Which one, I will have to see when I get home. Now, to protect the paint or just sit it aside on the wall
03-28-07, 09:47 AM
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I have friends who have two of these built in the 80's. One is predominately green with red and the other the mostly red with green. Fully equipped with Canpag Record these are beautiful bikes but have been rarely ridden. Such a shame really and I can't understand them at all.
03-28-07, 12:14 PM
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Those lugs!
03-28-07, 01:15 PM
#7
FalconLvr
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As for your questions regarding the PAINT, probably nothing you can do about it but make sure it is waxed properly. That will tend to protect the paint, but if it is already brittle, not sure much can be done. You may want to pm Dr.Deltron at this site for tips, he is a painter of bikes.
03-28-07, 01:17 PM
#8
The Legitimiser
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I think you'll be the only one on our forum who has a Hetchins, and we'll be glad to have you! I have an HR Bates, which might have been their nearest competitor in their heyday. To call the paintwork on my Bates "fragile" would be to overlook the fact that it was apparently done with a Dulux roller. It'll be sweet when it's finished though.....
03-28-07, 01:34 PM
#9
Lanky Lass
Okay, I'll do it for us all.
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? Stop teasing us with words, we need photos. Uh, work safe ones, please.
Thanks!
East Hill
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? Stop teasing us with words, we need photos. Uh, work safe ones, please.
Thanks!
East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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03-28-07, 01:47 PM
#10
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Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
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Originally Posted by East Hill
Okay, I'll do it for us all.
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? Stop teasing us with words, we need photos. Uh, work safe ones, please.
Thanks!
East Hill
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? Stop teasing us with words, we need photos. Uh, work safe ones, please.
Thanks!
East Hill
Some day for the photos.
03-28-07, 01:49 PM
#11
Lanky Lass
Oh all right. We would love to see the Hetchins though. Where did you say you live? We can send over a photographer...
East Hill
East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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03-29-07, 05:06 AM
#12
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If you can get a number off of one of the rear drops (or possibly under the bottom bracket shell), you can date your Hetchins. They are fabulous, and very desirable, British lightweights.
Hetchins named most of their models after the design of the lugs, which all had Latin names.
I have a friend who lives about a block from me that is a Hetchins collector (he also hand-builds stems for the Hetchins bikes made today). I'm sure he'd be happy to help out in dating your bike. Get us some pics and numbers. Pics are more important
If your paint is brittle, it's most likely not going to get any better. Probably older, fragile lacquer. If it still looks OK, I would hesitate to do anything to it, as it could possibly make things worse, and the value could go down (an original-finish Hetchins is hard to find). Remember, they're only original once. On the other hand, restored Hetchins frames don't seem to lose too much value. As long as they are done well, with correct decals, colors, and componentry.
Hetchins named most of their models after the design of the lugs, which all had Latin names.
I have a friend who lives about a block from me that is a Hetchins collector (he also hand-builds stems for the Hetchins bikes made today). I'm sure he'd be happy to help out in dating your bike. Get us some pics and numbers. Pics are more important
If your paint is brittle, it's most likely not going to get any better. Probably older, fragile lacquer. If it still looks OK, I would hesitate to do anything to it, as it could possibly make things worse, and the value could go down (an original-finish Hetchins is hard to find). Remember, they're only original once. On the other hand, restored Hetchins frames don't seem to lose too much value. As long as they are done well, with correct decals, colors, and componentry.
03-29-07, 08:31 AM
#13
feros ferio
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I recall my first encouter with a Hetchins frame. As a UCLA undergrad, I was visiting Charlie Harding's shop on Westwood Bl. Charlie had a bright red Magnum Opus on the top rack, nearest to the big picture window at the front of his store. The ornate lugwork, gorgeous lustrous paint, and curvy stays blew me away.
__________________
"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
03-29-07, 10:12 AM
#14
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I don't know a lot about Hetchins, but I bought a 60th Anniversary frameset back in the late 80s I think. Built it up with good used Nuovo Record including a triple crankset from a Paramount and an adjustable stem to complete the Gucci effect. It has the fastback seatlug and the curley stays, plus the full chrome treatment. I ordered a soft blue/purple with a white headtube for the classic British look. Pic from a Polaroid during the build, only one I have handy.
I think its David Miller who builds them now, and owns the rights to the name and evolved from the original Hetchins company. Bob Jackson build some, but they are not authentic Hetchins bikes. Supposedly, Reynolds doesn't sell the curved stays to anyone but Hetchins. There are other counterfeits about. An older Hetchins build by the brothers is quite valuable and desirable in almost any condition.
I think its David Miller who builds them now, and owns the rights to the name and evolved from the original Hetchins company. Bob Jackson build some, but they are not authentic Hetchins bikes. Supposedly, Reynolds doesn't sell the curved stays to anyone but Hetchins. There are other counterfeits about. An older Hetchins build by the brothers is quite valuable and desirable in almost any condition.
Last edited by dbakl; 03-29-07 at 11:23 AM.
