The Editor received the following missive:
I ordered this Hetchins from Spence Wolf in 1971 and received the assembled bike in either late 1971 or early 1972 [the ledger date is 18 August 1972. --Ed.]. I rode this bike extensively in 1972-73. At the time I lived in the California Bay Area, first in Palo Alto, then Los Gatos. This bike has probably been ridden on every paved road in Santa Cruz County. I rode it over Mt. Diablo in the East Bay, Mt. Lassen in N. Calif. and from Monterey to Morro Bay on the coast.
I remember visiting Cupertino Bike Shop and Spence Wolf's careful demeanor. All I remember about ordering it is that I told him I wanted a 24-inch frame. We must have discussed details like color, blue flamboyant with gold lining. I don't remember what I paid for it. Obviously, Spence took care of the details as to what he thought I needed, including hubs from his friend Phil Wood. It has all the classic Hetchins features: twin plate crown, round fork blades, curly stays, etc. but no fancy lugs. Plain Prugnat lugs, nicely finished and gold lined. So far as I recall, I only dealt with Spence, I don't remember any direct correspondence with Hetchins, so Spence must have furnished my name and address (and payment) to Alf. I do remember being pleasantly surprised that my name was painted on the top tube in calligraphy. [Included above is] a photo of the bike on my Los Gatos patio in 1973. All Campagnolo, except TA triple (34/42/48) with 175mm cranks, Universal side pull brakes, Nisi sew-up rims and Phil hubs. Regina Oro chain and 5-speed (13-26) freewheel. Cinelli handlebars, stem and saddle.
In September, 1973 my wife and I went on a trip to England and I picked up a Harry Quinn frame that I had ordered in a 23-inch frame size. In the Spring of 1974 I built up the Harry Quinn as my [daily] rider and sold the Hetchins on consignment through Wheeler Dealers Bike Shop in Los Altos. They sold it to a guy who kept it in his Morgan Hill garage for 49 years and rarely, if ever, rode it. In the summer of 2023 that guy put it on eBay as a barn find (dusty, rotted tires, peeling bar tape) where I spotted it. I contacted the seller with the idea that I could provide the eventual buyer with some background info--not really planning to buy it myself.
However, it went through 2 auction cycles without a successful bid. I again contacted the seller and we worked out an agreeable price and [the bike] became mine again. [Photos from the eBay advert appear above: (ht lettering, ht, Phil hub, bar end shifter). --Ed.]
So now I have my Hetchins back. It is still an inch or two too tall for me but it is beautiful. Like they say, you never forget your first love. I disassembled it completely, cleaned every part and reassembled it with new bar tape, brake hoods and tires. I replaced one inner shift cable and the dropout adjusters (bent in shipping). Otherwise the bike is completely original as assembled by Spence Wolf in 1972, including still true wheels, last touched by Spence over 50 years ago. I got it back with all the original parts in place except a Shimano rear derailleur instead of a Campagnolo Nuovo Record. I vaguely remember borrowing the Campy rear derailleur for my Harry Quinn, which explains the Shimano replacement to sell the Hetchins. Well, sure enough, my Harry Quinn had a patent 72 NR rear derailleur in place, which is now back on the Hetchins! The Harry Quinn which I have ridden for 50 years now has a patent 74 derailleur in place.
I'm not sure what to call this model Hetchins. Alf's notation calls it a custom frame. Maybe an Italia but I think of those with straight (conventional) stays. I believe Spence Wolf ordered other Hetchins with plain lugs.
Bill Barnes
Editor's note: the bike won best of class at a vintage cycle show. Not surprising: paint, transfers, chrome, and kit are all as delivered in 1972.
Photographs courtesy of the owner.
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