Not Hetchins. The above frame exhibits anomalies which betray its bogus pedigree. The seat lug and head lugs are misfits. Also the embellishments on seat tube and fork crown were never used in production. We believe this to be one of Harry Butler's replicas.
Correct MO ii seat lug.
Bogus MO seat lug: note too-long tang.
Above left: Correct MO ii head lugs. Right: Bogus head lugs: note too-long tangs.
Jim Cunningham of http://www.CyclArt.com sent the following information on the frame:
Subject: Web site correction; Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004; From: "Jim Cunningham" JimCyclArt.com To: editorhetchins.org
... We identified this frame as a fraud when it was first brought to us in 1996 and represented as a genuine 1960's frameset. We sold components for the frame, but refused to fit it with Hetchins transfers. The then-owner assured us that, being a motorcycle restoration expert, he would have one of his associates finish it. He assured me that since he was convinced of the frame's bastard history, he would not apply the Hetchins name. I pointed out that while the frame appeared sound and looked OK cosmetically and was in proper alignment, the fork was very badly made. We were commissioned to make extensive structural and cosmetic repairs to it. I was horrified, months later, when he brought the now completed bike to a bicycle swap meet at my shop. Hetchins decals had been applied. The paintwork was decent but the chrome was horrible, as if the barest effort at polishing had been made. His asking price was near to that of a new, genuine Hetchins. After the meet, I agreed to accept the bike from him as a consignment sale at his request, but immediately called David Miller to advise him that I had a forgery in hand and to provide him with any assistance he might require. I was prepared to send him the frame or destroy it if requested to do so. Although David confirmed the frame as a forgery by Harry Butler and was upset about it, he surprised me with his suggestion as to what to do with it. He asked that, if we were to refinish the frame with new chrome, paint and decals, it would be up to Hetchins standards in every way. As we had already checked the frame's alignment and corrected the fork problems, I could agree with David Miller's request. I added that I would apply the "Magnum Bogus" decal to call attention to the frame's ancestry. And so the "Magnum Bogus" was created and sold to a gentleman from New York City, where, to my knowledge, it still resides today.
This is just one example of many forged frames we have seen, including Cinelli, Confente, Masi, Colnago, Gios, Trek, Paris and others. Since we routinely make our own reproduction transfers in house and can supply virtually all marques' transfers, we have always had a policy of not supplying them except by application to the correct frame. We feel that this helps maintain the integrity of the hobby. We also respect the manufacturer's obligation to control the use of their trademarks and not to be exposed to liability from damaged frames being improperly repaired and resprayed.
We have had all known Hetchins decals reproduced for many years. Our reproductions are not printed on or cut from vinyl and are indistinguishable from originals. We know that our policy restrictions mean that we are rarely able to assist overseas owners due to transport costs, and we regret that. Otherwise, we are content to limit ourselves to those who want the finest quality refinishing and who will send or bring their frames here. We do offer extensive and expert touch-up services whereby we refinish only damaged areas, seamlessly blending them to the surrounding original finish. We frequently advise against refinishing bikes with "patina" appropriate to a well maintained vintage bike. We also encourage owners of fine vintage machines to keep them on the road, believing that not riding a fine bike is another way of neglecting it!
