calamarichris

So I finally caved in and started taking velodrome classes with my girlfriend, and she really, really likes it. Her birthday was this weekend, so I bought her this 199? custom Waterford Paramount (in her exact size) made by Dennis Kilfoy as a thank you to some fellow who helped build his deck:









Anybody know anything about this guy? The seller claims he was the head builder at Waterford, but that now he lives in Florida. Thought it was neat that the serial number is "Don Baker."

himespau 

No idea, but it looks nice.

thinktubes 

It means Kilfoy was here.

plonz 

I thought PDG frames were all built in Japan.

One thing I did read about Kilfoy is he marked his frames with a small "k" on the bottom bracket.

calamarichris

There does appear to be a little K on the bottom bracket, but the paint is pretty thick and the underscored-9 appears larger and deeper.
The frame arrived and it's strikingly beautiful. Almost too pretty to ride, even on the track. Gf is over the moon and is shopping for components for it as I type this.

big chainring 

He was a bike racer turned frame builder from the Chicago area. From the golden age of cycling, the 1970's. Is he still building frames?, not sure on that.

Bikerider007 

Pretty bike and nice size. Wish we had a Velodrome in Az.

big chainring 

What are velodrome classes and which velodrome?

Fahrenheit531 

Not much in the way of fender clearance.

Seriously though. Gonna be one sweet bike!

degan

Nice bike, must be a tall lady.

calamarichris

Tall? She's got more inches than a dog has fleas, but that's okay; at 6'2" I've got a few more fleas than she has.

Fender? Is this a bicycle or a guitar forum? We live in Carlsbad, in North San Diego County. WTF is a Fender?

The classes are at the San Diego Velodrome! I've lived here for nearly 20 years and my unusually tall girlfriend finally nagged me into riding on the track with her. They have open hours on Saturday mornings, and they told us about the classes. We're enjoying the classes immensely and are joining the SD Velodrome Association, and will start racing Friday nights as soon as they'll let us. It's just the coolest thing since the invention of the derailleur. err... since the wheel.

big chainring 

The last time I rode on the track they had a mixed team(boy,girl) Madison style race. Basically pulled names out of a hat to see who would partner with who. Connie Carpenter was one of the women participating. A month later she would be winning the first womens Olympic road race gold. I didn't draw her, but got the Illinois state champ who I was quite smitten with. It was a fun twist to a race that can be overly competitive and dangerous.

So if they teach you Madison style racing perhaps you can partner with your girlfriend. It's definitely one of the most fun racing events.

cooperjm

Yes, I grew up with him. Nationally ranked junior track rider who opted out of competitive cycling when young.

I have a 1988 Paramount built by DK. He was in Waterford in the late 80's early 90's

calamarichris

Neat! Thanks for the background info.
Any pics of your Waterford?

Sweetpo

That's a sweet frame. As a fellow Carlsbadian and gigabikes member we need to ride together. PM me.

Wordwreckin

I have a 57cm triathlon frame (Too small for me and been hanging for a while, interest?) made by him in his garage in Chicago, I believe. So he at least made frames under his own name for a while. I believe he was pretty highly respected as a frame builder at Schwinns cage and apparently later at Waterford. I couldn't uncover much information about his self-titled frames.

calamarichris

If we weren't eye-deep in unfinished projects already... Any pics though?

I'm leaving work early tonight, so we can finally going down to Retrogression to pick up the spokes, nipples, and everything else to build up her Paramount and my GT Pulse.
On top of that, we've got a half-built pre-Trek Belato Bros Lemond still languishing in the living room AND a Colnago Pral we finally got back after a touch-up at Cyclart.

glkilfoy

I just found this. I am Dennis Kilfoy’s daughter. When our family moved to Florida in 2001, he stopped making bikes because there is no demand for a custom bike here. It’s so cool to see other people that have some of his creations.

merziac

Welcome aboard! Very glad to have you here, we love it when this happens. Can and will you tell us more, lots more plz?

Prowler 

+1 welcome and thank you for posting. We revere great frame builders, appreciate the skills and talent required. Please tell us about your Dad

qcpmsame 

Welcome aboard the C&V Forum, stick around some and mention us to your dad, if you would please. Having a noted frame builder here would be fantastic. I imagine his knowledge and experience will be most welcome, as you are too.

Bill

pistonthighs1

Realize this post is very old but a Waterford Facebook post brought me here. I think my Dad was college Friends with your Grandfather Ed Kilfoy (Dennis' dad) Usually run across pics from MSU with Ed Kilfoy Witten on the back . He often mentioned what a great athlete Ed was and talked highly of their friendship. Maybe just a coincidence or small world...