decals for Eisentraut Limited
 

I picked up an Eisentraut Limited frame the other day. Decals are actually in pretty good shape but the rest of the frame finish is trashed and it is a truly hideous color so a repaint is probably going to be called for. Neither Cyclomondo nor Velocals seems to have Eisentraut decals as standard product. Any other decals sources or am I going to have to have these done custom?

Why not just ask him for a set?

Good idea although I have been told he just tells you to contact CyclArt. I don't believe they sell decals except as part of a complete job. But I will drop a line to Albert and see.

I would suggest Ed Litton in the Bay area. He has worked with Eisentraut, has the decals, and does an excellent job. Check out bikingshearer's A frame recently redone.

I believe CyclArt did the original design and has the decals, but yeah, they only sell decals with a paintjob.

When I contacted Eisentraut to refinish a Limited frame, his comment was "Some old frames should just be thrown away." I think Bruce Gordon actually built them.

Ouch. How about having a talented sign painter hand letter it for you.

Bruce Gordon didn't build all of the Limiteds; I think he quit after '76 or so. I don't remember just when, but a CR archive search may tell you. At any rate, Limiteds I've seen, all looked pretty good. I've got one in dark metallic gray, probably built post Gordon.

BlueDevil - what hideous color is yours?

Mine is a 75. It is a dull beige color that is completely lifeless. It is clearly original but I find it hard to believe that it was chosen as a standard color for any bike. Beyond that it is covered in scratches, scrapes, bad touchups and surface rust.

Albert suggesting that a tired frame's life should end someday is easily believed.
Ed Litton may have them, fortunately the Limited's paint was basic so a paint job should not be too bad cost wise. Timing? That may be another story. Shipping? I would pick it up if you can.

Bypass Cyclart. They will want to align the frame, chase the threads and exploit the estimate percentage "error" factor they note in their estimate.

One of the complaints at the shop long ago about the Limited was that the colors selected were all "dead". The best was the dark metallic or blue mica. Some of the "A" frames suffered the same color challenges.

The graphics appear kind of "Height-Ashbury" to me, I bet they were done by someone in Northern California. Whoever did the concept of the "A" frame graphics was a much better designer. Only error they made was that for a time, guys on Albert's bikes were winning all kinds of races and there was no headtube decoration to be captured on film and get free advertising in the fledgling cycling media. Paris-Sport was much more savvy, the capital F in the oval was a great easy to read graphic.

I bought mine about '74 from Missing Link in Berkeley. I think the frame was $250. with a headset. It was a beautiful copper metallic. Unfortunately, I never liked the bike: way to rigid and upright for my tastes. I got tired of getting beat to death everytime I rode it and sold it. Took it on a century once and I swear I would've given it to anyone who would have given me a ride back about 3/4 through. But I thought it beautifully made with yeah, "hippie" decals.

I've never ridden one so I can't comment on the ride yet but the frame appears really well built and the design elements (lug shape, lug cutouts, etc.) are attractive. I actually like the graphics style and I do find it very reminiscent of the old psychedelic rock posters.

Heres a Gettocal I was messing with last night - This link explains how to use it #55...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=gettocal

Here is a pic of the frame:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...0/DSC01524.jpg

That looks like my copper one, though I had a touring one with Nervex lugs and rack braze ons in that tan color. I think they're really nicely made, worth new paint and decals...

Try this file if you have Adobe Illustrator.

https://www.bikeforums.net/********************/dl/127470327/6eb713d/aeisen.ai.html

Man - Great illustration 888 - Had to rename the file to aeisen.pdf then I could open it without illustrator...

The credit belongs to you - it's your image run through Live Trace in Adobe Illustrator.

Mind you, the AI version can be upsized without detail loss; it might be the file type of choice for a decal manufacturer.

-Kurt

I have a 1975 Limited. Like others, I called Albert direct and actually spent a 1/2 hour bantering with him. He must have been in a good mood. He used the CyclArt reference and I just had tried to replicate the "Builder" artwork from an image. All I was interested in was the "Eisentraut Frames, Oakland" label but he had none of those either. I had my Limited repainted (the second repaint since buying it used in 1977) by Joe's Bicycle Paint in Watsonville and had the same root beer brown and cream color scheme as it was originally. Mine has custom downtube lettering - I just wanted the builders label. Albert was mostly interested in me not putting the "Albert Eisentraut" decal, like an "A" frame.

Maybe Eisentraut doesn't care for his "Limited" frame but I have used mine for everything from racing to loaded touring and can't imagine not having it as the foundation of my collection.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/...6b8ba96f_z.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...raut4-full.jpg

I also have a limited and inquired from Albert about replacement decals.
He told me that Cyclart were handling all replacement decals.
I contacted them and Susan told me I had to repaint to get the decals.
I contacted Albert again and he said 'Bullcrap' (paraphrasing here).
The agreement was they would sell the decals, no repaint required.
I still have the email from Albert somewhere.

Marty