Location: Northern Florida, USA
[quote='Criminal' pid='43169' dateline='1644657868']
This is an interesting progression of parts you are obtaining. I have noticed that the spoke of the Automoto chainwheel matches the spoke of the Mosca chainwheel where there is no letter, Did you notice that, and did you intentionally buy the Automoto chainwheel because of that feature? [quote]
That is good observation since I did not notice that the features matched; thanks for pointing that out to me! That might be a good indication that both chainwheels were manufactured by the same company and some were custom made for other brands. Automoto made a large majority of their parts and so it would stand to reason that they had adequate facilities to manufacture on a large enough scale to supply other brands.
[quote]Also, a bit off topic here, but I notice you provide a starting photo for many of your frames, yet we do not get to see many of the finished products. I know you have a bunch of finished bikes (was it 2 dozen or more?) since I have been privileged enough to view them, but I still do not see you posting them online. I know you are somewhat finicky about what you want to put on a bike, and try to take your time (years!) "getting it right" as exemplified in the ride I got from you. Just curious! I think the crowd here would love to see more of your collection if you feel inclined to show some more.[/quote]
There are multiple reasons why you may not see all of my inventory (about 30 complete cycles, 50 or more frames, and 1000s of parts) displayed online.
My photos of bikes, frames, and parts that I post online are for reference purposes for others to compare and help them identify what they have and also help me to gain knowledge from others that will aid in the identification of what I display and am still lacking knowledge of. Most photos (posted online or not) that I take are for my own reference as photographic documentation for initial condition, comparison, and research; as well as for insurance purposes. I do post more photos when selling a bike, frame, and/or parts. Also, I will post photos if a particularly obscure item that I believe has not been seen before, or one that is being misrepresented by the general populace, and can be clarified as to its proper identification to avoid further conflicting information being spread then I feel the need to show it so everyone can gain the knowledge (again, including myself; I make mistakes regularly!) and correct the record. You got to see many (not all) of my bikes due to your purchase and desire to trade. I am not running a museum, but more of a conservatory in order to preserve history in the cycling community in general in my own miniscule way. I presently have bikes/frames that even their own makers and/or shop brands do not have an example of (one is being donated to the European shop that originally sold it for shop display, and stipulated future donation to their local cycling museum should they eventually close. I like to find people such as yourself who enjoy not just the activity of cycling, but can also appreciate some of its nuances and history.
Another reason that you don't see photos of completed bikes is that once finished they are for riding and I don't carry around phones and cameras while riding; just tools, tubes/tires, and nourishment. My reason for cycling was, and still is, to get away from it all. A little bit of freedom is what I want; probably why I really don't enjoy commuting on a bike. If photos are shown of my bikes and myself it is generally because it is on a rare occasion that I was actually out cycling with a friend since I cycle solo 99.9% of the time which allows me the freedom to go when and where I want to go, stop when and if I want, and travel at my own desired pace; again, freedom!
Lastly, I have done professional photography and pretty much abhor using a phone camera, or cheap digital snapshot camera. While I still have all of my 35mm equipment, it is expensive to get film developed and printed so I don't use it very much. I have yet to purchase a proper digital camera where I can take proper photos be they snapshots or composed shots with the degree of quality I desire. I am sure many folks would want to see the multitude of bikes, frames, and parts I have; but I desire to provide quality photos regarding proper focus, depth of field, exposure, etc.
The reasons for showing this Automoto bike and parts are primarily due to its obscurity in today's cycling culture especially given its unique appearance and features; as well as its company's history should anyone care to research how it was established, its racing palmarès, etc. I would be happy to provide the aforementioned info, but it is readily available online in detail, whereas photos of the actual bikes themselves are not. Due to its rarity, I plan on providing as much information as possible that I learn, and also more photos during phases of obtaining parts and ongoing restoration to show what is was, and what it should be in the end. You have already provided some observational information due to my posting of the bike and parts so thus far things are working as intended.
I am ReapThaWimpWind and I view the world from a plexiglass window in my lower abdomen because my head is a sigmoidoscope always shoved up my....
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