Hetchins' Hetchins
 

The frame built specially for Hyman Hetchins in 1948 has apparently shown up on eBay:

Hyman Hetchins,Founder of Hetchins Cycles,His Own Magnum Opus Frame 1948 | eBay

The holy grail of vintage British cycling: the lugwork makes the Magnus Opus look understated. Completely out of my league and probably best suited to a museum.

That fork crown is the mutt's pyjamas!

I saw the thread title and my first thought was "hyperbole". Little did I know...

Perhaps someday I'll have mine restored as nicely as this one has been.

I don't get it. The seller claims a particular vintage and then realizing that the frame does not completely correspond to this vintage then goes and says it has been worked on but does not say why or to what extent work was carried out on the frame. The work done to the rear dropouts is nigh impossible to return to original. Likewise the paint is not original and to find parts would also be very difficult to find but the price is still at a huge premium over a very nice period correct frame...

I think they're counting on the provenance to command the premium. I am skeptical that it will sell for the asking price, but have to admit that it's a looker and would make quite the conversation piece. Perhaps someone with the official title "Sir", and to whom money is no object is the market they are hoping to appeal to.

That couch though.

Too much for a modified frame.

Pics for Posterity

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMD...VTfnH/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMD...VTfnM/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFg3NT...VTfn0/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMD...VTfn-/$_57.JPG

Seller must be in Essex.

Yeah, whatever. I don't get it either. All that extra doodadry stuck to the frame tubes makes it look heavy, it's the busiest looking frame I've ever seen, and it's not even a period piece. Why would anyone want it? No doubt someone will want it, but not for any reason I can comprehend.

Agreed. This is a not a rider's frame: it's for hanging over the fire place.

As mentioned above, the drop-outs are 1970's; the brake cable guides are in the wrong position for the 1940's; and the paint-work leaves a lot to be desired. I'm still curious as to whether or not it will sell...

...plus the stays are bent too.

Why all the hate?

The British are well documented to refurb their bikes.

As for it being over the top. A Hetchins? Really?

This reminds me of my visit, years ago, to "Hetchins Heaven," the home of Jimmy Thompson, who used to work for Hetchins. He had two dozen bikes from a similar spread of model years, including one with a backward-threaded bottom bracket (RH on the right, LH on the left, which meant that the adjustable cup had to be mounted on the drive side). Gorgeous workmanship, if over the top, even by Capo standards. :)

I also recall seeing several ornate curvy-stayed Hetchins bikes at Charlie Harding's shop on Westwood Blvd., just south of UCLA and Westwood Village. He had converted an older, plainer one to 90 speeds with four shift levers, using a Sturmey IGH with a triple chainring and a 6-speed freewheel.

Now, that's where I don't agree. It may be gaudy and it may be OTT, but if I had one in my size I'd build it and ride it.

I don't hate it. I just don't understand it. If I owned it, I would sell it.

+1

Super Record 11 would look great on it.....Zipp high profile tubular rims......

I suppose this is the Earls Court frame, better pics here on the Hetchins site:

Hyman's Own Hetchins

Highly Rococo. For that kind of money, I'd get an old Herse.

For that kind of money, I'd get some hookers and blow.

Or maybe an old Volvo P1800

I like the comments on the site of the hand painted graphics as seen on this and commented about other bikes.
I would really like to see an image of the bike in its original configuration. I just suspect it was more than just the dropouts and the cable routing that were renovated.

It's all kinda sketchy apparently with little or no original documentation:

Claimed....However the head lugs....embellishments look to be original.


In all you can safely say it is a bit of the Hetchins story, be it 100% correct or a bit "embellished"

Wall hanger...eh.....If I had that kinda $, it would be my daily rider, I've always liked the looks of that frame.

Would modern Campy - or any Campy, for that matter - play nicely with a Charter Lea bottom bracket shell? I'm talking diameter and width, not threading, although that could be an issue, too.

This is meant as a serious question, not as snark.