Originally Posted by
Doug Fattic
It was common practice for guys like Kieth and myself to do an alignment and add/subtract braze-ons before doing the repaint. Frames just after the bike boom starting around 1970 didn't have many braze-ons or were very well aligned. I'm sure between the 2 of us we did hundreds. I helped Kieth get started building and sold him some equipment including my original sandblaster. Later he focused more on paint jobs than building - especially after he moved out west.
Since I have your attention do you remember a bicycle repair guy that worked out of a step van somewhere in the Indy and B-town area? I think he set up at the Hilly Hundred sometimes. I think the name of his business was Dr something. I don't remember either his name or the name of his business. I sold him one of my earliest fixtures and wondered whatever happened to him.
Doug,
That would be Steve Dodds. He lives here in Bloomington. I saw him at Hilly this fall but it was poorly attended (wet riding) only about 50 riders picked up their badges. I went out to his shop he next week to get some Vittorias and spent about a half day with him. He should be cycling in Mexico right now on his vacation. Steve eeked out a living specializing in wheel chair repairs, but he is still in business and has picked up a junior partner. His shop on Gardner Road is listed as the "Bicycle Doctor" and has an internet presence. I don't remember his building many frames, but my mind is pretty feeble sometimes Ha!
Bob Holohan at that time was doing a few frames in the Bicycle Garage in Bloomiington where I was wrenching from 1978-80. The jigs we used there were rudimentary blocks bolted down to a large heavy plywood plate and we had to place a heat shield under the brazing flame to keep things from catching fire. I was transferred to BG Indy at the end of 1980 when Bob and Craig picked up two partners and moved into the Castleton mall. I wound up back in Bloomington in 1983. And stopped wrenching in the shops around 1985. I've been working as a golf professional the last 25 years and am just doing a bit of bike work again. Thanks for reminding me of the old times! Smiles MH