Dick Rhee

Rad, there are a ton of art schools in Portland. If you go for a BFA, not only would you be able to speed up the process by learning how to do it yourself sometime before 2011, but I'm sure the art degree would come in handy at some point in your life.

ollo_ollo

Well Rad, when it is finished, be sure to post pictures in "Classic & Vintage". Just kidding!

666

I went to a motorcycle show some years back and there was this incredible show bike done in a Japanese theme. It had oil coolers and NOS bottles that looked like real Bamboo stalks. The paint job was unbelievable with authentic Japanese Samurai-style script (not sure what the term is) and artwork. The builder had sent the parts to a legendary Japanese artist (in Japan). The guy was in his 80's, didn't speak English, no phone, no Internet connection. The builder had to hire an intermediary in another village to deliver the parts, tell the artist what he builder wanted, negotiate a deal, etc. Long story short, the artist being a real artist, always with far more demand than he could meet, worked when he felt like it and, because of his health and age, that wasn't a lot. After years of waiting the builder basically wrote the project off. Nearly 10 years after he sent the parts he got a call saying they were done. The whole build took more than 12 years.

55/Rad

I love it. Some things are worth waiting for though there certainly were times when I had emotionally moved away from the project. The problem was, I couldn't move myself to a similar modern project. Hence, in the 3 years this has been going on, I've built nothing "new" - just rebuilt/restored a ton of older frames. Which I thoroughly enjoy but lately I've wanted to balance that with something a bit more high tech.

Still not there yet however and I'm hoping it won't be too much longer.

55/Rad

superdex

progress! Can't wait to see it--

ggg300

wow



and not wow

vantassell

I don't think some guys understand this project. Can we start telling them to use the search function and look at all the posts on the forum over the past 3 years? jk, but look at Rad's other bikes and then you'll see why he probably wouldn't want to take his bike over to the art school to get painted up. Also, after you're so invested in something like this, you can cut your losses, that'd be admitting mistake, he's just building up suspense.

shabbasuraj

this bike = T10,000 High Modulus UnObtanium Carbon Monocoque = VAPOURWARE...

...allegedly

BillK

Thanks for the update Rad....your patience can only be measured against saints.

Nachoman

Are you SURE this frame actually exists?

cuda2k

Glad to hear that there has been some progress, and the painter is willing to continue forward progress on the frame. Even if it continues at a pace that would make a snail yawn. I can't wait to see the finished product. I'm sure it will be everything it has been made out to be and more.

SpongeDad

Always seems that after I get kicked in the 'nads, something works out really well.

You sir, are due for something to work out really, REALLY well.

Sad that LeMond ditched the Ti spline - but that makes your Tete that much more unique.

sverrefehn

Fingers crossed for you Rad. I look forward to seeing this one some day. All your projects are worth ogling.

Steve

free2move

Rad, your frame is going to be erm... radical?

oopfoo

I think this frame is painted with the blood of virgins or something, maybe at Cthulhu's Bikes.

On Your Right

I heard it was recalled because of lead content in the paint.

Psimet2001 

Wouldn't be an issue if there weren't so many BFers ready to lick the frame....

cydewaze

Holy crap... I'd completely forgotten about your Tete.

Hocam

I can't imagine what Rads reaction will be to the first paint chip.

55/Rad

You don't think I'm actually ever going to build or ride it after all this?

Screw that, I'm getting one of these for the purpose of actually riding.

cuda2k

^ ^ ^ Nice choice. But please tell me you're going to build the Tete and at least make it a weekend rider!

chzman

its going into a glass case at the Louvre

55/Rad

I'm going to stare at it until I get sick of it....then beat the living crap riding it. But not before I take some real nice photos.

FranckCisco

effing hilarious wow. 04 record is so old now. Rad, I'll trade you 07 DA for your 04 record. Deal?

Hocam

Rad, if you buy that Orca you'll have to buy a Ti frame to complete the full carbon - half carbon half Ti - full Ti trifecta.