Mystery SF Bay Area Frame Builder - "apple" cut-out on lug, vintage steel

Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

I recall it being made of Columbus or Reynolds double-butted tubing.
It has a smooth sloping fork crown with gently curving forks, three
braze-on cable-housing guides on the top tube, braze-on rear derailleur
bolt hole and cable stop, real wheel adjusting screws, Tange headset,
and is rootbeer brown.

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

If this rings a bell with anyone, I'd greatly appreciate a reply.
Thanks, Chris

p.s. I've had two frames built by Dale Saso, the legendary builder and
humanitarian. One got stolen early on but I've been riding the other
for 25 years, and it feels good as new, despite having been abused on
such rides as the Mount Hamilton Challenge, Davis Double Century,
Seagull Century, Reston Century, and shipped back and forth to Europe a
few times after jaunts in the Alps and along Dutch canals.

Does anyone know what Dale is up to now or how to get in touch? I
first met Dale when I was riding in the bike club at Hoover Junior
High. He was one of the nicest human beings I've ever met. He always
had time for us kids to hang around his shop and chat, and only charged
a few bucks for repairs and parts knowing we were digging deep into our
paper-route money to ride. He was always modest and humble, taking joy
in our joy riding. I remember bumping across the railroad tracks to
his shop on Taylor Street, where he was usually buried under piles of
bicycle treasures, hands lathered in grease.

I've long since moved away from CA and ride a bit slower now, but
looking back on those adults who made a difference in my young life,
I'd have to put Dale up there at the top. A great role model who kept
us riding--and out of trouble--mile after mile....

wrote in message
oups.com...
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

I recall it being made of Columbus or Reynolds double-butted tubing.
It has a smooth sloping fork crown with gently curving forks, three
braze-on cable-housing guides on the top tube, braze-on rear derailleur
bolt hole and cable stop, real wheel adjusting screws, Tange headset,
and is rootbeer brown.

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

If this rings a bell with anyone, I'd greatly appreciate a reply.
Thanks, Chris

p.s. I've had two frames built by Dale Saso, the legendary builder and
humanitarian. One got stolen early on but I've been riding the other
for 25 years, and it feels good as new, despite having been abused on
such rides as the Mount Hamilton Challenge, Davis Double Century,
Seagull Century, Reston Century, and shipped back and forth to Europe a
few times after jaunts in the Alps and along Dutch canals.

Does anyone know what Dale is up to now or how to get in touch? I
first met Dale when I was riding in the bike club at Hoover Junior
High. He was one of the nicest human beings I've ever met. He always
had time for us kids to hang around his shop and chat, and only charged
a few bucks for repairs and parts knowing we were digging deep into our
paper-route money to ride. He was always modest and humble, taking joy
in our joy riding. I remember bumping across the railroad tracks to
his shop on Taylor Street, where he was usually buried under piles of
bicycle treasures, hands lathered in grease.

I've long since moved away from CA and ride a bit slower now, but
looking back on those adults who made a difference in my young life,
I'd have to put Dale up there at the top. A great role model who kept
us riding--and out of trouble--mile after mile....


Don't know about Bay Area but there was a guy in Madison, Wisconsin, in the
mid-80s named Mike Appel who used an apple logo for his frames. Don't
recall if he ever had lugs with the logo or not. . . the only results I can
find with Mike in them have to do with his early days at Trek in Waterloo. .
..

Yep. Mike Appel is still in Madison, WI, as far as I know. If you want
to find out whether he made your frame, contact Cronometro (
www.cronometro.com ) and ask for Colin, the owner. He knows Mike Appel
personally. There are a number of Appel frames floating around,
especially near Madison, and many of them are quite beautiful. Mike's a
stand-up guy.

Jason


Wheels by BFWG wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

I recall it being made of Columbus or Reynolds double-butted tubing.
It has a smooth sloping fork crown with gently curving forks, three
braze-on cable-housing guides on the top tube, braze-on rear derailleur
bolt hole and cable stop, real wheel adjusting screws, Tange headset,
and is rootbeer brown.

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

If this rings a bell with anyone, I'd greatly appreciate a reply.
Thanks, Chris

p.s. I've had two frames built by Dale Saso, the legendary builder and
humanitarian. One got stolen early on but I've been riding the other
for 25 years, and it feels good as new, despite having been abused on
such rides as the Mount Hamilton Challenge, Davis Double Century,
Seagull Century, Reston Century, and shipped back and forth to Europe a
few times after jaunts in the Alps and along Dutch canals.

Does anyone know what Dale is up to now or how to get in touch? I
first met Dale when I was riding in the bike club at Hoover Junior
High. He was one of the nicest human beings I've ever met. He always
had time for us kids to hang around his shop and chat, and only charged
a few bucks for repairs and parts knowing we were digging deep into our
paper-route money to ride. He was always modest and humble, taking joy
in our joy riding. I remember bumping across the railroad tracks to
his shop on Taylor Street, where he was usually buried under piles of
bicycle treasures, hands lathered in grease.

I've long since moved away from CA and ride a bit slower now, but
looking back on those adults who made a difference in my young life,
I'd have to put Dale up there at the top. A great role model who kept
us riding--and out of trouble--mile after mile....


Don't know about Bay Area but there was a guy in Madison, Wisconsin, in the
mid-80s named Mike Appel who used an apple logo for his frames. Don't
recall if he ever had lugs with the logo or not. . . the only results I can
find with Mike in them have to do with his early days at Trek in Waterloo. .
.

According to :
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

[snip]

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

Was it custom-built for you? Otherwise, based on your proximity, I'd
guess that your frame might have been built for one of the early Apple
employees or investors. Apple's IPO was in 1980.

---
Lars Lehtonen
http://bikeboom.com

In article ,
Lars Lehtonen wrote:

According to :
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

[snip]

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

Was it custom-built for you? Otherwise, based on your proximity, I'd
guess that your frame might have been built for one of the early Apple
employees or investors. Apple's IPO was in 1980.

Lars does not mention a scallop section nor leaves in the
apple silhouette, which are distinctive elements of the
Apple Computer Inc. trademarked symbol.

--
Michael Press

thanks for the reply. it was custom built shortly before I purchased
it, but I don't know who the original customer was.

Michael Press wrote:
In article ,
Lars Lehtonen wrote:

According to :
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

[snip]

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

Was it custom-built for you? Otherwise, based on your proximity, I'd
guess that your frame might have been built for one of the early Apple
employees or investors. Apple's IPO was in 1980.

Lars does not mention a scallop section nor leaves in the
apple silhouette, which are distinctive elements of the
Apple Computer Inc. trademarked symbol.

--
Michael Press

Thanks for the reply. I'll follow the lead and see where it goes.

Wheels by BFWG wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

I recall it being made of Columbus or Reynolds double-butted tubing.
It has a smooth sloping fork crown with gently curving forks, three
braze-on cable-housing guides on the top tube, braze-on rear derailleur
bolt hole and cable stop, real wheel adjusting screws, Tange headset,
and is rootbeer brown.

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

If this rings a bell with anyone, I'd greatly appreciate a reply.
Thanks, Chris

p.s. I've had two frames built by Dale Saso, the legendary builder and
humanitarian. One got stolen early on but I've been riding the other
for 25 years, and it feels good as new, despite having been abused on
such rides as the Mount Hamilton Challenge, Davis Double Century,
Seagull Century, Reston Century, and shipped back and forth to Europe a
few times after jaunts in the Alps and along Dutch canals.

Does anyone know what Dale is up to now or how to get in touch? I
first met Dale when I was riding in the bike club at Hoover Junior
High. He was one of the nicest human beings I've ever met. He always
had time for us kids to hang around his shop and chat, and only charged
a few bucks for repairs and parts knowing we were digging deep into our
paper-route money to ride. He was always modest and humble, taking joy
in our joy riding. I remember bumping across the railroad tracks to
his shop on Taylor Street, where he was usually buried under piles of
bicycle treasures, hands lathered in grease.

I've long since moved away from CA and ride a bit slower now, but
looking back on those adults who made a difference in my young life,
I'd have to put Dale up there at the top. A great role model who kept
us riding--and out of trouble--mile after mile....


Don't know about Bay Area but there was a guy in Madison, Wisconsin, in the
mid-80s named Mike Appel who used an apple logo for his frames. Don't
recall if he ever had lugs with the logo or not. . . the only results I can
find with Mike in them have to do with his early days at Trek in Waterloo. .
.

Thanks for the information. I'll contact Colin and see where it goes
from there.

wrote:
Yep. Mike Appel is still in Madison, WI, as far as I know. If you want
to find out whether he made your frame, contact Cronometro (
www.cronometro.com ) and ask for Colin, the owner. He knows Mike Appel
personally. There are a number of Appel frames floating around,
especially near Madison, and many of them are quite beautiful. Mike's a
stand-up guy.

Jason


Wheels by BFWG wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...
Does anyone know who might have built this custom frame?

A vintage steel frame that I purchased almost new around 1980 in San
Jose California emerged from the attic, but I can't remember who built
it. It has a distinctive "apple" cut-out on the top of the lug that
connects the top tube to the head tube.

I recall it being made of Columbus or Reynolds double-butted tubing.
It has a smooth sloping fork crown with gently curving forks, three
braze-on cable-housing guides on the top tube, braze-on rear derailleur
bolt hole and cable stop, real wheel adjusting screws, Tange headset,
and is rootbeer brown.

I suspect some young frame builder was starting an "apple" line, but
was discouraged by you-know-who computer whiz kid who already had
rights to the "apple" trademark and didn't want consumer to confuse
apples with, well, bike frames.

If this rings a bell with anyone, I'd greatly appreciate a reply.
Thanks, Chris

p.s. I've had two frames built by Dale Saso, the legendary builder and
humanitarian. One got stolen early on but I've been riding the other
for 25 years, and it feels good as new, despite having been abused on
such rides as the Mount Hamilton Challenge, Davis Double Century,
Seagull Century, Reston Century, and shipped back and forth to Europe a
few times after jaunts in the Alps and along Dutch canals.

Does anyone know what Dale is up to now or how to get in touch? I
first met Dale when I was riding in the bike club at Hoover Junior
High. He was one of the nicest human beings I've ever met. He always
had time for us kids to hang around his shop and chat, and only charged
a few bucks for repairs and parts knowing we were digging deep into our
paper-route money to ride. He was always modest and humble, taking joy
in our joy riding. I remember bumping across the railroad tracks to
his shop on Taylor Street, where he was usually buried under piles of
bicycle treasures, hands lathered in grease.

I've long since moved away from CA and ride a bit slower now, but
looking back on those adults who made a difference in my young life,
I'd have to put Dale up there at the top. A great role model who kept
us riding--and out of trouble--mile after mile....


Don't know about Bay Area but there was a guy in Madison, Wisconsin, in the
mid-80s named Mike Appel who used an apple logo for his frames. Don't
recall if he ever had lugs with the logo or not. . . the only results I can
find with Mike in them have to do with his early days at Trek in Waterloo. .
.