Baylis Handmade Cycles

Restoration of Very Early Masi with Nervex Lugs

2012-02-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Frankfurt connection?

2012-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

Say "Milano"....

2012-01-27T18:28:00.000-08:00

Correct Nutted Caliper and Clamp Shifter

2012-01-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

Baylis Painted Cinelli

2012-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

Wimpey Cinelli View 1

2012-01-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

2011-10-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XftlRYaYvbk

Brian explaining his method......

Tested and it's GOOD!

2011-10-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

2011-09-23T17:27:00.001-07:00

Front triangle

2011-09-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Track TANDEM !

2011-09-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Cinelli B Restoration

2011-09-09T16:55:00.001-07:00

Photo by Chris Wimpey

Brian

2011-08-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Filing

2011-08-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Chris Michels

2011-08-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

New track bike!!

2011-08-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

More details of Brian's bike

2011-08-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

Brian's personal fixed wheel road bike

2011-08-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

Summer 2011 Update Part 2

2011-07-30T17:32:00.001-07:00

Summer 2011 Update Part 1

2011-07-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

New Wizard Photos

2010-09-30T19:03:00.001-07:00

A couple of recent photos of new Wizards during construction.

Fall Update Pt. 2

2010-09-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

Fall Updates

2010-09-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Group Ride

2010-08-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

What's New In FrameBuilding | Summer 2010

2010-06-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Fellow Framebuilders:

In addition to what Dave has mentioned, there are

a lot of other things that have been added or are being

worked on for the IBFE.

The new hotel location will be a more intimate place,

one that we can mingle and meet one another for before

and after show activities, like meals and such. The room rates

will be significantly lower than the previous location; and it's

right in the coastal downtown area where all the "action" is!

The Gaslamp Quarter is a few blocks away, as is the Little Italy

section of San Diego Old Town is also nearby. Trolley lines

run all over the place, including to the Mexican border.

Riding from that area is easy and Mission Bay and the beaches

(not to mention the airport) are all right there. The location

is unusually excellent for an event such as this. The hall itself

(Golden Hall) has hosted most of the famous rock acts of

the 60's and 70's including Frank Zappa several times,

the Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan,

The Yardbyrds, The Doors, Them, Pink Floyd,

Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield, etc. The list goes on

forever! Most of these were in the first few years; the concerts

continued up until 1997, ending up with Yes as the final

concert. We are working on the return of the expanded

version of the MotherFluxers to play Golden Hall during the

show ( probably at a party on Friday night ) on the main stage.

We will have an expanded hands on seminar schedule in 2011.

We have a place on the show premises where we can do

hands on brazing demos along with the technical info on same,

plus the standard clinics on fitting, filing and lugwork, and jig

and fixture making. We are adding the "Bicycle Framebuilding Parts"

swap meet in 2011. There will be vintage lugs and bits for sale or

trade from the stashes of a considerable number of framebuilders.

Newbies will find a gold mine of cool old school and modern

framebuilding parts to make nice frames from in the future.

We're working on a "special theme" for the 2011 show.

We're going to feature Cyclocross racing and cyclocross

framebuilders as the focus on builders in 2011. There is likely to

be a local cyclocross race held nearby in Balboa Park, where the

finish is probably going to take place Paris-Roubaix style on the

San Diego Velodrome! Not at all unlike the following day, as

we party down on the last day of the show ( Sunday ) while

watching the coverage of the REAL Paris-Roubaix in France.

In addition to all of our activities, the 3rd annual San Diego

Colnago Gran Fondo is happening just down the street in Little Italy

that same Sunday. Last year there were 3000 registered riders there.

I expect there will be even more in 2011. They will have at least 2

full days to come to the Framebuilders Exposition while they are in

town for the ride. This weekend in San Diego will be absolutely full

of cyclists and bike related activities.

The Saturday Taco and Beer Party will be held at my new

workshop on my property out in La Mesa, just about in the same

area that the party in years past was at Joe Bell's shop. I'm a little

closer to the show location. We'll have a blast at my place for $10

per person which includes all the Carne Asada and Chicken Tacos

(and rice and beans) you can eat and beer and other drinks.

Party on 3 sky decks with views of Mexico, coastal islands, and

local mountains and landmarks.

The critical part of the show this year is that, on account of the

new venue, we will need more operating capital up front this year.

What we need most, that which will insure that we can do the best

job of organizing and promoting the show, which benefits YOU

the most; is for the exhibitors ( both framebuilders and non-builders )

to commit to coming to the show EARLY this time. We can't wait

until close to the show. It would do all of us the most good if we

collect the money for the booths right now, or very soon.

Our prices are still oriented towards making the event HIGHLY

profitable for you to attend and as inexpensive as we can make it.

PLEASE help us do a good job for you by making your decision to

display, network, and socialize with us as soon as possible.

Do it now so it won't be a problem during the late in the year

Holiday Season, when there is no money. We're still offering an

additional discount of $100 off the booth price for

FRAMEBUILDERS who are east of the Mississippi River.

I spoke to a bunch of these guys while at the Cirque recently.

There will be a LOT of builders coming from the East, Southeast,

and Midwest areas. The Europeans are trying to work out their

schedules ( we may have some major surprises in store ) and

the Asian builders are looking into the dates. Would like to see

some builders from Australia make it to the show.

The invitations will be going out to everyone soon.

Thanks for taking time to read this. We hope everyone will

join us in this great show of International Brotherhood

amongst the framebuilding community. Please plan to add to the

quality of our event with your presence and a display of the work

that you do. Do it soon, so we can plan the best event possible.

Thanks you, all.

Brian Baylis

La Mesa, CA

International Framebuilders Exposition

2010-04-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

The first announcement is that the SD Show will

be the "International Framebuilders, Exposition"

next year. Same time and same location (but in a

larger building). There will be more hands on

demonstrations related to framebuilding skills and

techniques and frame fitting. We are working on

signing on a publicity agent who will handle the

job of spreading the news of the show. We are also

working on getting some of the best Asian custom

builders to join us here. We're pretty sure some

big Italian names will appear next year, a deal

that has been brewing for a while. Also some of

the smaller European custom builders are working

on coming to America to see in person what the

renaissance of lugged steel framebuilding looks

like up close.

The party that has been at Joe Bells' workshop for

the last two years is going to be at my new workshop

and (by then) newly renovated house. We are also

reforming the MotherFluxers, a framebuilder composite

band, that is planning a return performance sometime

during the show weekend. The members are Paul Sadhoff

from Rock Lobster on guitar, Stephen Bilenky on

electric bass, Jon Norstand of Thursday Bicycles on

lead vocals and saxophone, Ross Schafer (founder of,

and formerly Salsa Cycles) on guitar and vocals

(unconfirmed but likely at this time), and myself on

drums. If we do this, it's going to be a good show.

The final announcement is that an organization

whose purpose is to promote framebuilding and

framebuilders in every possible way, and to as much

of the general public as possible AND to insure that

the highest level of skills and traditions of the craft

are passed on to the next generation of framebuilders.

This group is the Independent Framebuilders Guild.

Information on how to support this effort is at

Framebuildersguild.org. This is a traditional

type guild and entry is open to pretty much everyone,

in various degrees. One of the first projects slated

for the organization is to begin the documentation of

the History of Framebuilding in America. That's a HUGE

project at it will require the contributions of many

people; I'm certain many of whom are on this list.

So that's about it.

Brian Baylis

La Mesa, CA

International Framebuilders Exposition in San Diego, 2011

2010 San Diego Custom Bicycle Show.

2010-04-05T11:38:00.001-07:00

This coming weekend, come on by!

2nd Annual San Diego Custom Bicycle Show

2010-03-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Framebuilders and all,

The second annual San Diego Custom Bicycle Show

is now all set to go. The Booth spaces are nearly gone,

I think there are only two left. Our show takes shape

in slightly different ways that some other shows.

Each year we learn how to put on a better show and how

to make the process easier. We focus our attention towards

having a good show for both the exhibitors AND the

spectators. We want all framebuilders and those interested

in framebuilding, to have a great time here, and especially

come away with more knowledge about our craft.

We have just finished working out a deal with the Fit Kit

organization whereby any framebuilder attending the

show can become a certified fitting technician for free,

by attending the 5 hour seminar to be presented during

the early part of Thursday, the day we will set up the booths.

The seminar will run until 4pm Thursday. We will also

be presenting our live hands on framebuilding technique

demonstrations featuring myself, Dave Bohm on lugcutting

and jewelers saw work, and hopefully again Rob Roberson

and some fixturing demonstrations along with some stand

up comedy. Last year he presented a super informative

seminar and was quite humorous while doing it

We have a great crowd of builders coming to the show,

both old timers and newer and younger builders.

As always there will be a sizable group from Oregon

(primarily Portland) coming down and having their own

Community area, so to speak. Mark DiNucci is scheduled

to show also. Oregon will be well represented in San Diego.

The Northern CA builders are coming down, along with

several from CO, AZ, and TX. Wayne Bingham is

bringing a display from Mel Pinto Imports in VA also.

Our primary aim is to make every framebuilder feel

welcome and equal. We believe that we all need to

work together towards some common goals that will

bring our craft to the public as often as possible and always

in a positive light. We also feel there is a lot of tradition

in framebuilding that should be respected; and we hope

to preserve the traditions of high craftsmanship and design

in framebuilding. We feel the best way to accomplish this

is to support and encourage those who are the small

craftsman buiders, regardless of one's situation; and to

help a new generation of framebuilders carry on the true

craft of making handmade bicycle frames.

Please check the website at SD Custom Bicycle Show

and make plans to attend our event. We have spent more

time with advertising this year and less time soliciting

vendors, since finding exhibitors to come to San Diego

and have a good time is not difficult. We're looking

forward to all of the great bikes; but honestly the best

part of these shows is the social part.

Hope you can join us. We see the future of custom

framebuilding as a bright one, as long as we keep the

traditions alive as we move into the future!

Brian Baylis.

The Philosophy at Baylis Cycles

2010-02-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

There are numerous aspects of framebuilding, related to making

hand built bicycles in small numbers. Most importantly, there are

the considerations and concepts of designing the frame. This will

include "fitting" the frame, which includes looking at the client's

body dimensions, riding style, intended use, and rider's age. The

other part involves selecting the materials, actual construction,

and finish.

There are countless theories and formulas, and even computer

generated models, which are supposed to help us determine a

particular frame for a given rider. There are many factors that

must be taken into consideration. Many builders will simply

copy designs that have worked in the past. My method is to

study the machine (s) the rider has had experience with, up to

the point of ordering a new custom bicycle. I then ask a whole

lot of questions about their experiences with their bicycles.

Some of the questions are asked of every client, while some

questions will be specifically related to that individual. I probe

for the key bits of information, about how to best suit the rider.

I consider how to improve what may be lacking in their

previous bikes. Sometimes the client is just seeking a

frame with distinction and flair, beyond the readily available,

that performs as well as what they have. Note that great riding

bicycles can come from anywhere, including high production

companies. Each framebuilder has a personality and style

of their own, which is reflected in the frame. High volume

companies cannot do this. I believe my method is one of

the most sound, owing to my many years of riding, racing,

building for myself, and building for others......... this is one

of the reasons why people seek me out.

Once I know the needs of the user, it becomes a matter of

how much time and effort one is willing to put into making

the frame special and distinctive. Most people call this

"craftsmanship". This is where debate sometimes begin......

which frame is better? It really is a matter of personal taste.

Certainly, there are some methods of making a distinctive

machine that requires great skill and a good eye for aesthetics.

To a client that cannot detect these subtle differences, this may

mean nothing. The same goes for designs that are more than

what the client expects or likes.

I feel that my work falls in the middle of these extremes,

in that most can appreciate my style, even if they don't

really understand how much effort it takes. That being

said, I generally don't go to the extreme, trying to make

my lugs look like jewelry. I make a bike that pleases my

eye and satisfies my soul. Even though my extra effort is

not always rewarded monetarily, my "payment" for this

is self-satisfaction.

When the finished product makes the client happy,

and if some appreciate my skill and effort, then I feel

complete. Builders who refuse to put in the effort, much

of which involves lots of time, without financial considerations,

are simply not driven as craftsmen, in the purest sense.

These people are in the "business" of framebuilding.

Framebuilding was apparently my destiny and purpose

in life. Therefore, money only, is not a consideration in

my work, as compared to my need to fulfill that destiny.

I am satisfied that some consider me to be one of the best

framebuilders of all time; and that is what motivates me.

That may sound "corny" to some; but the truly sensitive

observers see that in my work.

Talk is cheap. The work must speak for itself. Simple as that.

Baylis Handmade Cycles.

BHC :: Construction

2010-02-17T01:18:00.000-08:00

More Details, TBA.

Lug Work pt.1

2010-02-17T01:07:00.000-08:00

More Details, TBA.

BHC :: Dale Brown's Frame

2010-02-17T01:02:00.000-08:00

More Details, TBA.

For Sale :: Track Frame

2010-02-14T22:46:00.001-08:00

Photos courtesy of Chris Wimpy!

Details on this Frame, TBA.. (one of a kind, to say the least).

The History of Baylis Cycles

2010-02-13T15:30:00.000-08:00

My framebuilding career started by accident. As a young

racer in Southern California during the "bike boom" of

the early 70's, I was at a bicycle race in Escondido, CA

in 1973. I was riding a Masi Gran Criterium, built in Italy.

I was aware of the legendary Faliero Masi. Like most bike

racers, I considered Masi to be the best of the best. On that

day I never dreamed that I would actually meet the man face

to face. As it turned out, the new Masi factory had been

established in nearby Carlsbad, CA and most of the principal

people involved had come to the race to watch. I had no idea

there was a factory nearby. When I was able to meet the plant

manager, Faliero Masi and Mario Confente I was stunned.

With my Masi in tow, I sheepishly approached Faliero to get

his autograph on my paper racing number. He signed it and

handed it back. He had a sparkle in his eye I'll never forget.

Even at 65 years old he was full of energy and charisma.

For some unknown reason, having never considered

building bike frames, I sought out the English speaking

manager, Roger Smith. I asked if they needed any people

to work at the new Masi factory. It was disappointing to hear,

"I don't think we need anybody right now". The following

day, I had to deliver a Rolls-Royce for the dealer I worked

for. The Masi factory was right off the freeway in Carlsbad,

so I whipped the Silver Shadow off the freeway and stopped.

Roger Smith was surprised to see me. There were no

applications, I just wrote my name and number on a piece

of paper. Asked if I had any previous experience, I told

them I built some wheels and painted a frame or two in my

garage with an airbrush. Apparently that was good enough;

the following week I was working at Masi. I was the fourth

American to be hired. Originally, they wanted Italian

workers, but lucky for me, due to visa issues,

that was not going to happen.

My first duties involved building several hundred wheels.

Once I built them, I was taught to properly glue and mount

the silk tires. After this I did sub-assemblies of bars, brake

levers, and stems into complete units. I did the same for toe

clips/straps to pedals, saddles to seat posts. When all of the

bins were full of parts they needed to assemble complete

bikes, I was moved to the beginning stages of framebuilding.

I think my first task was to file the front dropouts that had

been brazed to fork blades. We did hundreds of forks at a

time. It took no time at all to learn each basic task under these

conditions. Each time I successfully completed my assigned

task, I was moved to the next operation. I filed rear triangles

at the dropouts, then was taught to cut and ready caps for the

seat stays. After they were brazed, I filed them by the hundreds.

I was taught to shape the raw lugs and prep them before they

were used to join the tubing. I was then taught brazing,

and brazed some front dropouts to fork blades.

At this stage of my apprenticeship, I was finally moved to

the paint department, where I was the assistant to Ron Smith

(no relation to Roger). This is where I learned the paint sequence

and techniques I still use today. I also was able to learn the art

of applying varnish decals to the painted frames. I hand painted

yellow trim in the cutouts as well.

My time at Masi came to an end. One of my roommates

and fellow workers at Masi, Mike Howard, who was being

groomed as a brazer there and myself, decided to strike out

on our own. Jumping ship was something they tried to prevent.

But Mike had become frustrated with Mario, as they were

trying to build forks with "twin plate" fork crowns. Mario

was difficult to work with. The previous brazing trainee had

left, having a difficult time with Mario over similar issues.

Mike and I quit and we moved back to Orange County,

and began to build the notorious Wizard Bicycles. During

that two year period we both learned a lot about the craft

and a little, very little, about the business of framebuilding.

We built about 75 serial numbered frames. We built a few

for ourselves as well. There were probably about 80

frames or so total.

At Wizard, we put a lot of time into each frame, which made

them highly regarded. We weren't making much money though.

In mid-1976, we received a call Masi in Carlsbad. They had

fired all of the crew and only the shop manager, Gian Simonetti,

remained. They wanted Mike and I to come back to Masi as

foremen, and assemble a new crew. By then the newfangled

"investment cast" lugs were being used. I became the painting

foreman, head painter, and the person who trained the guys to

shape and file lugs, as I did the painting of the Wizards and did

all the lugwork. Mike was the brazing foreman, since he did the

fixturing and brazing of the Wizards.

That lasted until sometime in 1977 or so. Medici Bicycles was

formed in Los Angeles. Mike and Gian became the principal

builders of the Medici bikes. I was to be the painter, of both

Confente and Medici bicycles. However, instead, I opted to

stay in San Diego county and build frames under my own

name. I have been doing so ever since, under a number of

working conditions and in situations that exposed me to a lot

of other builders. From this one learns a lot. I still do this even

now, whether teaching beginning builders or spending time

or visiting with other experienced builders. Teaching is one

of the best ways to learn things.

Growing as an artist and craftsman never ends.

Challenging oneself is what makes you grow and expand.

Falling into a routine and doing the same thing over and

over again doesn't satisfy me. This may work for many

others, but results in being good at one thing. I prefer

working on a broader set of skills and perfecting them,

which keeps framebuilding fresh and exciting.

I get my inspiration from this.

Brian Baylis, February 8, 2010.

Road Bike With Custom Dropouts

2010-02-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Bicycles For Sale pt.1

2010-02-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

Time to thin down the herd again. I'm still short on room to

store some of my bike collection; and these bikes need to

be in the hands of people who have the time to enjoy them.

Each one of these bikes has something special about it.

One of them is a genuine one-of-a-kind.

1958 Flying Scot: Sold!

1972 Hetchins Scorpion Bonham Spyder: Sold!

Fully customized 1971 Peugeot PX-10 by Rob Roberson:

53.5cm c-t x 54cm c-c frame. There is certainly only one

bike like this one anywhere in the world. This bike belonged to

the wife of a doctor here in San Diego and was converted

(some time in the 80's I believe) to fit 650B wheels,

Shimano rear der., and racks front and rear.

Rob Roberson did all of the braze-ons and modifications and

then the entire frameset was polished and chrome plated.

Has the classic Nervex professional lugs we are so fond of

and Reynolds 531 tubing. Chrome is still excellent.

Fenders fit on this bike nicely. This bike has a nice

comfortable ride and was fitted with a rare Stronglight

triple crankset that was purchased in France while the

owner was touring there back in the day.

This is a unique bike that is ready to ride off into the sunset

on a tour or just around town.

$1600.

1986(ish) Tesch tandem:

54cm c-t x 54cm c-c front, 51cm c-t x 55cm c-c rear.

This is the ONE and ONLY tandem frame Dave Tesch

almost ever built! Dave started this frame for himself in about

1986 or so but never quite completed it. Dave started off with

Columbus tubing, Cinelli tandem lugs and fork crown combined

with the standard lugs he used on his road frames to build this

male front, female rear twin lateral stay frame.

He got as far as getting the frame and fork built but never got to

the job of putting on all of the bridges

and braze-ons. I inherited the project some time in the 90's.

I finished it off and assembled the bike to make sure everything

was in order. I then disassembled it for paint. I got about 95%

finished with the typical Baylis style 3 color paint job;

but haven't had time to finish it off. I can finish the job in about

2 or 3 days. Needs only a few bits of pinstripes and a final

clear coat. This bike is fully decaled and has never been ridden

other than the short test.

The new owner will be the first person to ride and own the

only completed Tesch tandem in existence. I can also

supply the bike with all of the parts I collected to make

this a complete bike. This is a real one of a kind collectors

item; a project that involved the late Dave Tesch and myself.

The only other Tesch/Baylis collaboration in existence

is an S-22 track bike Dave and I built, which isn't going

anywhere beyond my personal collection. Price for just the

frame and fork is $2000.

Complete bike, $3000.

I can provide photos of these bikes, but it may take a

day or two on some of them. Packing and shipping will

run around $100 or a little more depending on

where it's going and which bike it is. Please don't ask for

photos unless you are DEAD SERIOUS about buying the

bike in question. I'm still way behind in getting fully operational

in my new shop, I've got the San Diego Custom Bicycle

Show coming up, and still more construction and remodeling

under way; so time is at a premium right now. I'm sorry

I can't entertain the curious at this time (which seems to happen

whenever I offer part of my collection for sale).

Thanks for looking!

Brian Baylis

La Mesa, CA

619-228-3512

Introduction :: Baylis Handmade Cycles

2010-01-27T23:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome! For those who are not familiar with my basic nature;

just having this blog is a departure from my ordinary preferences

for doing business. There are a number of reasons for this; most

of which will become clear as you read through. Since I am not

a "typical" type person, one should expect my approach and

blog to follow suit. I fully intend for this to be the case.

Unlike blogs whose purpose is to promote and advertise,

my purpose shall be primarily, but not exclusively, to

educate. Additionally, I intend to help you understand

what is real and what is fantasy, as related to the process

of designing and building custom frames. From this,

I hope the consumer and enthusiast will learn to think

and reason for themselves, and see frames from a

more educated perspective.

Our craft has recently turned towards business techniques

of mass marketing. This is partly due to people using
the internet. There are always two sides to these things.
Some information is good. However, some things are aimed at taking advantage of the

trusting nature of people, in a negative way. If you are comfortable

with ignorance and are susceptible to believe whatever is

printed, no matter what the source, then there is no point

in reading any further.

However, if you prefer to expand your knowledge and

understanding of the handmade bicycle, please join me,

as I try to post some of the things that I have learned
in the last 35 years.

Brian Baylis, February 5, 2010.

Baylis Handmade Cycles :: New Blog for 2010

2010-01-27T14:22:00.000-08:00