A Consolation Hetchins
 

Hello all,

As some of you who have kept up with some of my recent postings may recall, I excitedly ordered a custom Hetchins frame earlier this year as a gift to myself for my upcoming completion of graduate school. More recently, I had to cancel the order (hopefully temporarily) upon learning the wonderful news that my wife is pregnant with our first child! However, the lack of an inspiring project along those lines led me back to a frame that I've watched sitting on the shelves of two English vendors for several years without leaving the market, and I finally bit at it... So, for a fraction of the price of a new frame, I present this 1957 Hetchins Experto Crede, which I shall spend some time next year restoring to its former glory.

This frame does not have curly stays, but the Experto Crede lugs are in fact my favorite of all of the wonderful and ornate sets ever offered by Hetchins... Cheers!

-Gregory

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...96e4504e99.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0ceb486a71.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1276048323.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...18ce616b59.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3330537357.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...824e561ed8.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ab4a7251ad.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...52ec14b71a.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...245b3dab17.jpg

Congratulations. That looks like it is going to be a fun project.

Looks decent.
the seat lug could use a bit of Evercoat Featherfill… Sands easy, sticks great.

round fork blades, very nice, good crown too.

unsolicited comment- Flamboyant Blue with black head tube and seat tube panel(s)

.
...there are a number of automotive paint solutions that will work well to fill the rust pitting on that frame.
If it were me, I think I'd strip off the primer that's on there now, and start fresh. Which is probably what you are planning.

The fork threads look ....interesting. Don't know how much tooling you have for stuff like this. I'm in Sacramento, which is a pretty long drive, but let me know if I can help with the threading or fork alignment.

It'll get blasted and re-primed and outstanding issues will be left undealt with, don't worry about that! I should be able to handle the fork threading issues, 3alarmer, but if not, I will not forget your generosity!

Well, that's in the spirit of what I'm going for, but we'll have to see...

-Gregory

Very cool, can't wait to see what you do with it!

Congratulations! Hurry, because once bub comes out you won't have time to work on the bike, ride the bike, look at the bike or think about the bike. :P

Please open a new savings account and make regular deposits towards your child's future education.

Ah, yes, Bikeforums... The place where I come for unsolicited financial advice from strangers!

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from my limited experience of the marque the Experto Crede would seem to be a rather seldom encountered model

there was a thread on one dated by owner as a '53 over at thecabe a couple year back

​​​​​​https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/ci...-crede.198069/


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That's one I haven't actually seen, thanks for sharing! I have photos saved of 22 (23 now) different Experto Crede frames that have survived, and I think there are at least a dozen I've seen online that I haven't saved photos of because I didn't much care for the finishes...

-Gregory

Cool frame! Fun lugs, of course, and the fork crown is distinctive too.

Were you going to take a shot at painting it yourself? The thought of masking the lugs or painting a stripe along the lug edge is intimidating.
I've looked at the lugs on my Magnum Opus and had feelings of respect for the painter and dread at the thought of the cost of a new paint job.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f700be_c_d.jpg

Steve in Peoria

Yes, I have access to a professional automotive paint booth and have done lots of painting in my time, including some pretty intricate stuff. Masking and lining honestly isn't intimidating in my book! Below is a recent painting of mine that measures 12x16 inches.

-Gregory

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f514d062da.jpg

Congratulations!
I wondered who finally bought that one. I daydreamed about buying it myself, went to look for it on ebay UK a couple days ago and tried to feel relieved that someone had removed the temptation.
Brent

I literally had an offer in with Hilary Stone two or three years ago but it was cutting it too close on my budget, so I didn't make a move at that time. I think I first started eyeing the frame in 2018?

-Gregory

Very nice. I formerly owned a 1954 Magnum Opus with vibrant stays. I felt too self-conscious about how over-the-top it looked to be able to enjoy riding it. I believe you have chosen wisely with this one. Eager to see how it turns out.