Tete Update - It Does Exist
11-20-05, 07:05 PM
#1
Former Hoarder
Thread Starter
Tete Update - It Does Exist
I figured it'd been long enough and even I was having a time with the doubters.
Yesterday on our Portland ride, we found ourselves in the neighborhood of the paint shop. So we dropped in. The result - 6 BF members actually eyeballed it - about 1/3 done.
And of course - there had been no recent progress. But I did get the satisfaction of sharing it.
I'm now resigned to the fact that it won't be done this year.
Ironhorse, here I come.
55/Rad
Yesterday on our Portland ride, we found ourselves in the neighborhood of the paint shop. So we dropped in. The result - 6 BF members actually eyeballed it - about 1/3 done.
And of course - there had been no recent progress. But I did get the satisfaction of sharing it.
Originally Posted by Jakey
I can now confirm that 55/Rad does in fact have a Tete frame.
Originally Posted by DinoShepherd
...re: 55's bike. It has crossed the line from bike to piece of art a long time ago. Absolutely amazing.
Ironhorse, here I come.
55/Rad
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11-20-05, 07:09 PM
#2
59'er
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Heck I belived you all the time Rad. Still waiting to see the results...
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11-20-05, 07:10 PM
#3
if x=byh then x+1=byn
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It took Michelangelo four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Is your painter going for the record?
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11-20-05, 07:14 PM
#4
Baby it's cold outside...
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That is just too cruel... You have the patience of a Glacier I tell you, I would have found another painter by now, nobody is that irreplaceable. It's almost insulting 
Doubt that you had a Tete? Never
I did question your depth of patience however... I suppose you waited this long, another 1/2 year is only ~20% more time 
Doubt that you had a Tete? Never
I did question your depth of patience however... I suppose you waited this long, another 1/2 year is only ~20% more time
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11-20-05, 07:24 PM
#5
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So it has been in there for about 2 years? At the current rate you will have it in 2010....
get somebody else to finish it before it becomes an antique
get somebody else to finish it before it becomes an antique
11-20-05, 07:25 PM
#6
Unique Vintage Steel
1/3 done? Wasn't it like nearly completed several weeks ago (or was that over a month now?) I know you sent it back for a few changes, but is that requiring a complete fresh start on the paint. Wow, just wow. I hope the off season brings a bit more time for your painter to work on completing it for you. I, as many of us, await the completion. But none of us as much as you I'm sure.
11-20-05, 07:27 PM
#7
Feed me your soul!
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I'm betting the group of us showing up...may light a bit of a fire under the painter. I hope. Though so far it looks worth the wait (almost )
)
11-20-05, 07:28 PM
#8
Up on the Down Side
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I still can't believe you had 9 people on a BF organized ride and nobody had a camera!!
I mean, what happens if you roll up on a Knave?
I mean, what happens if you roll up on a Knave?
11-20-05, 07:34 PM
#9
Faith-Vigilance-Service
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He'll pass the wait onto his children someday. Almost like a family legacy now.
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President, OCP
--"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
President, OCP --"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
11-20-05, 07:46 PM
#10
You Know!? For Kids!
So what are you going to name this bike? Names that come to my mind are Santa Claus, The Honest Salesman, The Intelligent Blonde, Chupacabra, Loch Ness Monster. All being things that may well exist, and that some even claim to have seen, but that have never been validated scientifically.
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11-20-05, 07:48 PM
#11
You Know!? For Kids!
Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Yesterday on our Portland ride, we found ourselves in the neighborhood of the paint shop. So we dropped in. The result - 6 BF members actually eyeballed it - about 1/3 done.55/Rad
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11-20-05, 07:55 PM
#12
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Are they using Ferrari racing red on this thing? I think it takes about two years for Ferrari to say no to anyone asking to use that particular mixture. Maybe it's like Monet', you have to rock back sip on some tea until it engulfs you in its magnificence.
I forgot who said "Art has only one aim ..... her perfection", So it's not just a bike anymore, its classified as "Art".
I forgot who said "Art has only one aim ..... her perfection", So it's not just a bike anymore, its classified as "Art".
11-20-05, 07:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Can you post pics of the parts you'll be putting on it, with bikeforums.net on the computer screen in the background**********??
11-20-05, 08:23 PM
#14
Enthusiasm on Wheels
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Dang, its too bad you didn't snap a picture or two while you were in there!
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Wheeeee!
Wheeeee!
11-20-05, 08:30 PM
#15
Descends Like Avalanche
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Rad, by the time you receive it, the standards for rear drop out spacing, bottom bracket threading, fork steerer tube diameter, and seat post diameter will all have changed! I hope you've already stock piled your parts!
If I'd know there would be a Tete preview, I might have bought a plane ticket out to the West Coast for the ride!
If I'd know there would be a Tete preview, I might have bought a plane ticket out to the West Coast for the ride!
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11-20-05, 09:00 PM
#16
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Rad, I know you've got conviction about this guy, and it's admirable. But if it were Donald Trump getting his bike painted, you know what he'd say...
I'm still rooting for you though.
I'm still rooting for you though.
11-20-05, 09:12 PM
#17
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As somebody who would never in a million years wait more than a month for a paint job or ride a bike that was so nice it would upset me when I throw it down the road, let me explain this thing.
As for Michelangelo, this painter makes him look like amateur hour. Our course if Michelangelo had access to modern lacquers, airbrushes and pot like 55's painter does, it might be closer.
This painter is good enough to do the highest end work on custom motorcycles and cars, but he confines himself to bike paint and restoration. He does metal fabrication and restoration on old ballooners too. The guy is an old school craftsman. I looked at this backlog, including several frames from high-end builders and told him he need to raise his prices, maybe even double them. 55 hit me and then told me he was grandfathered to 2003 pricing....right?
This isn't just a single color or two colors of rare paint. This thing has like 10 different sections masked off with four airbrushed colors on each section. It is insane. Its like OCP on acid, but with taste.
Remember boys and girls: Its not the kill. Its the thrill of the chase...
-Z
As for Michelangelo, this painter makes him look like amateur hour. Our course if Michelangelo had access to modern lacquers, airbrushes and pot like 55's painter does, it might be closer.
This painter is good enough to do the highest end work on custom motorcycles and cars, but he confines himself to bike paint and restoration. He does metal fabrication and restoration on old ballooners too. The guy is an old school craftsman. I looked at this backlog, including several frames from high-end builders and told him he need to raise his prices, maybe even double them. 55 hit me and then told me he was grandfathered to 2003 pricing....right?
This isn't just a single color or two colors of rare paint. This thing has like 10 different sections masked off with four airbrushed colors on each section. It is insane. Its like OCP on acid, but with taste.
Remember boys and girls: Its not the kill. Its the thrill of the chase...
-Z
11-20-05, 09:15 PM
#18
Former Hoarder
Thread Starter
FWIW - I've had the parts for a year. I robbed the brakes, wheels, seatpost and saddle to build the Santana. When I rebuilt the Santana, I put those parts away again (sans wheels) for the Tete.
A year ago, I thought I'd put together the perfect combination. With all this time, I've been second guessing some of the choices.
K-Force MegaExo or Record (alu) crank? Zero G or Record brakes? That kind of stuff.
55/Rad
A year ago, I thought I'd put together the perfect combination. With all this time, I've been second guessing some of the choices.
K-Force MegaExo or Record (alu) crank? Zero G or Record brakes? That kind of stuff.
55/Rad
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11-20-05, 09:21 PM
#19
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I can see it now:
7/23/2007
Sherwood, OR (AP)
According to eyewitnesses a Sherwood, OR a man, known only as RAD/55 rode up to a custom paint shop on his bicycle, walked inside and opened fire on the proprietor and several patrons with a water gun filled with Tabasco. He yelled "Christ Almighty!!! You're still not done!?!?!?!?! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!". and then proceeded to have a heart attack. He was pronounced dead on scene by county paramedics.
Anyone with information that can help identify this man, please call the Sherwood Police Department.
7/23/2007
Sherwood, OR (AP)
According to eyewitnesses a Sherwood, OR a man, known only as RAD/55 rode up to a custom paint shop on his bicycle, walked inside and opened fire on the proprietor and several patrons with a water gun filled with Tabasco. He yelled "Christ Almighty!!! You're still not done!?!?!?!?! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!". and then proceeded to have a heart attack. He was pronounced dead on scene by county paramedics.
Anyone with information that can help identify this man, please call the Sherwood Police Department.
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"Minor bun engine, made Benny Lava!!!"
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11-20-05, 09:28 PM
#21
Former Hoarder
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by The_Convert
why record alum instead of the carbons?
Since then, I've thought about going more traditional.
And, after a year of riding bikes with carbon cranks, I can honestly say that carbon is great but it really doesn't make much of a difference. The Record carbon crank is insanely expensive and the alu version is bling enough.
55/Rad
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Last edited by 55/Rad; 11-20-05 at 10:43 PM.
11-20-05, 10:53 PM
#22
Just ride :-D
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Well Rad, when you finally do get your Tete, not only will you have a work of art, you'll surely have the record for the longest running epic story in the history of BF ! You're patience is commendable!
Cheers! - RJ
! You're patience is commendable!Cheers! - RJ
11-20-05, 11:11 PM
#23
Feed me your soul!
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Its a lemond tete de course... titanium / carbon. Of course its going to have 7lbs of paint on it when its done...
11-20-05, 11:19 PM
#24
Go Titans!!
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Originally Posted by MERTON
material of frame? pic? why no pic? are you on crack? did someone whack you with the silly stick? it must have been a rather large silly stick.
and how do i pronounce tete? i can imagine it coming out my pie hole kinda funny.
this is a bizarre frame i have never heard of.
MORE INFO!!!
and how do i pronounce tete? i can imagine it coming out my pie hole kinda funny.
this is a bizarre frame i have never heard of.
MORE INFO!!!
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11-20-05, 11:26 PM
#25
Former Hoarder
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jakey
Its a lemond tete de course... titanium / carbon. Of course its going to have 7lbs of paint on it when its done...
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