Back in the late 1970s I embarked on my quest to build the ultimate camp touring bicycle, and sent out inquiries with my specifications to numerous frame builders who specialized in this genre, including building custom pannier racks and special fittings for generators, fenders, kickstands etc. Some of my requests were eccentric, such as the steel kickstand from a Schwinn Continental being grafted onto the frame to provide the ultimate in strength and reliability. Many of the builders did not even bother to answer, while others refused such an uncouth request. However, one framebuilder named Dennis Sparrow who lived in Missoula, Montana agreed to it all, and $900 and nearly a year later shipped me the frame that you see in the attached photos. It is truly a beautifully crafted frame and the Dupont Imron paint job is impecable. I built it up with 48-hole Phil Wood hubs and 650B rims, a Stronglight 99 triple crankset and half-step gearing, Mafac cantilever brakes with Weinmann levers, Campy Nuovo Record pedals and of course a Brooks Pro saddle. The front and rear panniers are from kirtland tour pak, which have been removed to permit photographing of the custom tubular steel racks. Note that the "handlebar" bag mounts completely to the top of the front rack, independent of the handlebar. Also, the racks contain the cable stops for the front and rear brakes and the fork has mounting tabs for the tire drive lighting generator and the IKU tire drive mechanical speedometer.

I recently attemped to locate Dennis Sparrow, but can find no trace or record of him. Perhaps someone reading this forum thread can shed some light on his whereabouts, as he truly deserves attention in the pantheon of fine framebuilders. I am also fortunate to own fine framesets from Ron Cooper and Mark Nobilette, and know that fortunately they are both alive, well and still working their craft.

That is a very nice bike. I don't know anything about the builder---just wanted to express my admiration.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/116226-geoffrey-butler.html

Look at post #4

Some googling i did, for fun:
Mentioned as an employee of New Era Cycles in Montana, you could try to call the shop.
https://search.bikelist.org/beta/Tree...=324606#324606
https://mtbike.mountainzone.com/bikes...asp?bid=393045
Google Streetview (shockingly went to Missoula MT) doesn't give much promise that it still exists though. looks like a different business is there now.

Thank you for the compliment.

BTW, back in the late 1960s I had a Peugeot UO8, which was my first serious adult bike. I later sold it when I upgraded to a Fuji Finest.

Looks like the shop closed in '98, now "Hunting and Gathering" is there.
https://www.missouladowntownbid.org/P...0/Default.aspx

Yes, I had already found it, and when I dialed the number it came up as "disconnected or no longer in service."

But, thanks for trying.

Just how long are those chainstays!?!!

That's a great build. As you probably know, 650B's are making a comeback. So you were either ahead of your time, or behind the times - or a traditionalist in the know - depending on how you look at it.

What's the story on the headlamp? Looks like an automobile headlamp with the visors popular on VW bugs.

You may want to contact Robb https://501main.com/page.cfm?pageID=32

The chainstays are 18" and the wheelbase is 41-1/4". At the time I had this built, 650B was quite popular for European touring bikes with fat tires. For a while I had a problem finding replacement tires in this country, but now with the resurgence of 650B popularity it is quite easy and prices are again reasonable. I recently bought a Japanese Panaracer Col de la Vie Randonnee 650B (26 x 1 1/2) as a rear replacement.

The headlight is a GE 4" sealed beam for a farm tractor.

Beautiful! And unique! Thanks for sharing!

It looks as if the Schwinn kickstand was somewhat modified. Was that done to accommodate the difference between the 27" tires on the Continental to the smaller 650B diameter?

Finally, what big adventures and long distance journeys did your Sparrow take you on? Any pictures of it in action along the Grand Canyon, or near Old Faithful? Fill us in on the stories about its travels!

Thanks for your kind words. You are quite correct that the kickstand was modified in that it was bent to effectively shorten it. Even so, the Sparrow does not lean over nearly as much as a Schwinn Continental does when the kickstand is deployed.

My last trip taken on the Sparrow was over 20 years ago before the era of digital photography, so alas I do not have any photos to show. I used it about a dozen times on multi-day camping trips, including several years on DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinnac), several trips in Michigan with my good buddy Red Reiter who recently passed on at the age of 83, and a ten day trip through the Smoky Mountains (North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky). I never took it out west as you suggest, and am just now restoring it with the intent of returning to camp touring again now that I have retired and have more available time.

Unfortunately, I know nothing of the builder, but I do like your taste in bicycles. I'm nearing completion of fitting my Finest as a rando bike, and if that Sparrow were my size...

Good luck in finding him. Recently, a pretty big name builder just reappeared out of the blue. If he's still around, possibly he'll be next.

Well, if you head towards the NH mountains and want a nice bed, hot shower, and warm meal, instead of a tent, consider your spot reserved! It would be a thrill to see your bike in person.

I'm still 14 or so years from retirement and would like to do what you're planning, but for now, with limited vacation and no interest from Mrs. PB, I guess I'm stuck with Hiltons and Embassy Suites!

I think that is the earliest built Amercian bike in the "French" style that I have ever seen. NICE!

What was your reference for all those details when you commissioned it?

You should really contact Jan Heine with these pics I think that he would be really interested in your story.

vjp

Thanks for the info. I spoke this morning with Robb at Sioux River Bicycles in Brookings, South Dakota, and he told me that Dennis Sparrow had also built a frame for him and that he was to the best of his knowledge still alive and living in Missoula, Montana. Dennis Sparrow has long since stopped building bicycle frames and is now a gunsmith, however, his exact whereabouts and contact info are unknown. Robb told me that he had spoken last year to a friend of his named Len, who works at the Open Road Bicycle shop in Missoula, Montana and who had spoken recently with Dennis Sparrow. However, when I called Open Road and asked for Len, I was told that he had passed away last October and that no current employees at the shop knew anything regarding Dennis Sparrow. Apparently, Dennis Sparrow built very few frames, which is a shame considering how good and detailed a job he did on the few he built. He did take a long time to do it, but it was well worth the wait. Perhaps he just could not make a living doing it, because he wanted to be so patient and meticulous and did not produce sufficient numbers to get by.

That's a very very nice bike, glad I caught this thread. My favorite part is the braze-on for the speedometer.

To add to the chorus: great story and beautiful bike! I've saved every picture to my computer for inspiration if I ever buy a touring bike.

Thanks for your compliment. As I recall, I simply told Dennis Sparrow that I wanted to use specific components such as the IKU speedo, Miller (UK) generator, Schwinn kickstand, Suntour Power shifters and headlight and I either sent them to him or he found them himself and integrated them into the design. I also sent him the kirtland handlebar bag and panniers so that he could properly design the racks. The basic frame geometry and layout was his doing with the idea of making the bike comfortable and stable as well as providing ample clearances for fenders and toe to fender clearance. The choice of 650b wheels was dictated by the desire to lower the bike as much as possible, both to lower the center of gravity as well as to best accommodate my short stature. The smaller diameter wheels also help with clearances. The 650b wheels also allowed the use of wider tires. It's been such a long time that I do not remember if the style was French or otherwise, however, other builders referred to it as a randonneur, so I guess it must be French. However, unlike some of the modern rando bikes that I have recently seen, this bike is massively heavy, weighing just under 40 lbs with all its accessories. Still, once it is rolling, it is a very smooth and easy ride, and I have no trouble maintaining 15 mph on flat ground with an added 60 lbs of camping gear.

You mentioned Jan Heine. How do I contact him? email?

It is very well made like yours. I would be happy to post photos if you are interested.

Yes, please do!

Go to yb.com and search for Dennis Sparrow in Montana. It lists an address and phone number in Missoula for him.

Cannot say about Dennis Sparrow. But there's an island, just south of the straits, where I trade spice for …delicious long pork. Cannot say about Dennis. But you'll find a ship there. A ship with black sails...

Hello There,
I also have a sparrow. It was built for my grandfather in the 70's....
I can only give you some round about info.
I brought my sparrow into the bangtail bike shop in Bozeman mt and the mechanic there named Al recognized it. He seemed to know a bit about the builder and had some contact info. I did not write it down at the time though. If you call the shop you can ask for him. He is quite nice.

I have been riding the sparrow for about ten years and it rides very nice. I have attached some images (not very good, i will have to take some bike specific ones..). I toured with it on vancouver island, san juan islands, and several trips in montana.
Have a good one.

Erik

Tejano - You have excellent tastes in bicycles.

I will be studying every inch of this bicycle as it is quite amazing and I aspire to build machines such as this... if you have or can take more detailed pictures I would appreciate that very much.