Franklin
08-17-12 | 07:50 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
Franklin
Made in Newark, Ohio
For the hills of SE Ohio:
For the hills of SE Ohio:
Last edited by Mercian Rider; 08-18-12 at 11:36 AM.
08-17-12 | 08:22 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 80
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: Are several.
Well, that is just pretty all over.
Head tube decal, combining the 'star' motif with a flame-like font, just screams something (I think it might be 'fast'?).
Nice lugs (!), and gotta love the small, quality local/regional builders. I'm guessing this 'Franklin' wasn't the same who once wrote:
"Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse; E’er fancy you consult, consult your purse."
I think I like this Franklin better.
That one might've approved of the very practical cassette range, though. How big is that rear cog, anyways?
Head tube decal, combining the 'star' motif with a flame-like font, just screams something (I think it might be 'fast'?).
Nice lugs (!), and gotta love the small, quality local/regional builders. I'm guessing this 'Franklin' wasn't the same who once wrote:
"Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse; E’er fancy you consult, consult your purse."
I think I like this Franklin better.
That one might've approved of the very practical cassette range, though. How big is that rear cog, anyways?
08-17-12 | 08:49 PM
#5
Hopelessly addicted...
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,955
Likes: 13
From: Central Maryland
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Indeed a nice bicycle. I've only ever seen one other in the flesh, but it was quite nice. Jack Franklin is the did the paintwork on my 1949 Hercules Kestrel earlier this year. Do you know what year this bike is?
08-17-12 | 08:50 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
That's about right for my 53 year old legs to go up and down the hollers of Hocking County.
08-17-12 | 09:41 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 80
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: Are several.
08-17-12 | 09:54 PM
#8
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
That's an awesome bike, really like the frame and parts. Ride it well!
08-17-12 | 10:49 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 15
From: Chattanooga
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III
Franklin Frames, Inc is named after Franklin County, Ohio, the home of his shop.
Jack's last name escapes me at the moment but it isn't Franklin. He told me the story in one of several telephone conversations I had with him in the process of repainting/restoring a Tim
Issacs frame. He said that it's such a common and frequent mistake that he doesn't even bother correcting people anymore.
His work as a frame maker and as a painter are indeed first class. Jack's work is so consistently good that he does contract work on the quiet for some of the better known painters when they have overflow schedules.
The Issacs frame was a particular challenge because it had some formidable rust issues, plus 11 separate and different decals which had to be replicated. Every reproduction was spot on. And his delivery promise was met as agreed. Impressive.
Cheers,
J
Jack's last name escapes me at the moment but it isn't Franklin. He told me the story in one of several telephone conversations I had with him in the process of repainting/restoring a Tim
Issacs frame. He said that it's such a common and frequent mistake that he doesn't even bother correcting people anymore.
His work as a frame maker and as a painter are indeed first class. Jack's work is so consistently good that he does contract work on the quiet for some of the better known painters when they have overflow schedules.
The Issacs frame was a particular challenge because it had some formidable rust issues, plus 11 separate and different decals which had to be replicated. Every reproduction was spot on. And his delivery promise was met as agreed. Impressive.
Cheers,
J
Last edited by afilado; 08-18-12 at 04:15 PM. Reason: to correct info
08-18-12 | 12:01 AM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Canton Ohio
Bikes: 1989 Trek 800/1976 Raleigh Sports/1984 Schwinn varsity
That's one sweet ride! 
How long was the wait? I heard it's lengthy,but worth it.
In fact I just talked to him him today about dropping off my old Trek for a repaint.
How long was the wait? I heard it's lengthy,but worth it.
In fact I just talked to him him today about dropping off my old Trek for a repaint.
08-18-12 | 11:04 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
Last edited by Mercian Rider; 08-18-12 at 11:11 AM.
08-18-12 | 11:34 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
08-18-12 | 12:10 PM
#15
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,888
Likes: 4,132
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Great looking uncommon ride.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-18-12 | 12:24 PM
#16
Get off my lawn!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,035
Likes: 118
From: The Garden State
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Wow, love the cable/toptube treatment. Jack is refinishing a fork for me...now I'm really stoked to get it back!!
08-18-12 | 02:25 PM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 80
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: Are several.
Franklin Frames, Inc is named after Franklin County, Ohio, the home of his shop.
Jack's last name escapes me at the moment but it isn't Franklin. He told me the story in one of several telephone conversations I had with him in the process of repainting/restoring a Tim
Issacs frame. He said that it's such a common and frequent mistake that he doesn't even bother correcting people anymore.
His work as a frame maker and as a painter are indeed first class. Jack's work is so consistently good that he does contract work on the quiet for some of the "superstar" painters when they have overflow schedules.
The Issacs frame was a particular challenge because it had some formidable rust issues, plus 11 separate and different decals which had to be replicated. Every reproduction was spot on. And his delivery promise was met as agreed. Impressive.
Cheers,
J
Jack's last name escapes me at the moment but it isn't Franklin. He told me the story in one of several telephone conversations I had with him in the process of repainting/restoring a Tim
Issacs frame. He said that it's such a common and frequent mistake that he doesn't even bother correcting people anymore.
His work as a frame maker and as a painter are indeed first class. Jack's work is so consistently good that he does contract work on the quiet for some of the "superstar" painters when they have overflow schedules.
The Issacs frame was a particular challenge because it had some formidable rust issues, plus 11 separate and different decals which had to be replicated. Every reproduction was spot on. And his delivery promise was met as agreed. Impressive.
Cheers,
J
Sounds (and looks) like he is very much on top of his game.
08-18-12 | 06:58 PM
#18
Get off my lawn!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,035
Likes: 118
From: The Garden State
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Love the bike but the stem kinda looks outa place 
08-18-12 | 07:09 PM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,940
Likes: 363
+1 for the stem, other than the stem's "different" appearance the bike is beautiful. As said the lugs are very striking and well executed. I'm with you on the cassette you have on her. Should be a great ride, I am sure you treasure it.
Bill
Bill
08-18-12 | 07:32 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
Rest assured the stem is history. Not so much because of the way it looks, but it's too long. I'll replace it with a Nitto. I have a 100mm Pearl I might use for it.
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