12/7/15 - What? I have a reader?! Crazy. I  haven't updated this site in over 6 months.

Unfortunately, I have to say that my efforts to get a new frame have failed.  Paul Taylor stopped communicating shortly after my last post. We had a phone conversation and he claimed the frame was finished and only needed painting. I gave him my specs and he said no problem. I think we had one more phone call about something else which I couldn't help him with and that was it.

He hasn't returned an email, text or answered his phone since that time.

I purposely tried not to say anything in an effort to give him time to get it together. But now that I actually have a reader, I feel it is necessary to say forgetaboutit!

I still think he's one of the best builders out there. Very talented and can do it all including painting.  But his business sense is terrible. I was planning on giving him money like several hundred dollars as a "tip" or a way for him to at least cover his cost since I was asking for more than the frame he stole from me.

But alas, we are done.

I guess if he ever got back into the business of actually building bikes. And if you really want one, my recommendation is COD - cash on delivery!  Make him put up all the upfront costs like buying tubing and then have him do all the work and build the damn thing. Once he delivers the frame and you have it in your hand - only then do you give him money!!!!

If he actually ships you a frame - open the box and examine it. There are no returns and expect no warranty. NEVER ship anything back to him for repair. Find someone local to do it. That is what I should have done. Otherwise, expect it to be gone too.

I'll never understand why he contacted me after all that time, make a promise that he's going to make things good, and then disappear?!  I'm a reasonable guy. If he was honest and said "Hey man, I have some paying customers that I need to get done first." No problem! I would have understood. But to make a promise of making things good and then disappearing again?! I'll never understand it.

So whoever you are. Thanks for reading! Unfortunately, unless he contacts me, this will be my last entry. I'm planning to leave this up for now as a warning to others.

4/8/15 - Called and left a vm for Paul asking whether he could provide me with a timeframe for building my frame.  Looks like he's flaking again and I'm probably out. Still, I've waited this long, so what a few more months?!  Plan is to start saving for a 2016 cross bike. Maybe a rock lobster. So sad....

3/11/15 - Well, its been a while and still no word from PT, nothing. zilch. nada!

At this point, the question is how long do I wait before asking, again, what's the status. His website shows a nice tandem that he's been working on.

I guess its like what Lawrence said, "hopefully, he's working on some frames that are paying."  Now, that I can understand. "Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!"  I just wish he would have communicated that....

2/19/15 - Today is Weilyn's birthday. She would have been 53. Sigh....

OK, just a quick update. I've actually been talking with PT the last couple of days. Apparently, he's finished with my frame! He says it has a coat of primer and wants to talk with me about colors. He thinks its going to look great.

I've asked for a pic of the frame in its current state, but haven't seen anything yet.  Further, we had two very brief conversations yesterday, but he wasn't back at his shop and was suppose to call me back. Still waiting....

2/16/15 - On Saturday, 2/14/15, I talked to PT and he said that the frame was almost done. He told me to call back on Tuesday, 2/17/15 in the evening to discuss paint! Hmm, no pictures yet, but it sounds promising, but we shall see....

1/28/15 - It's been almost two weeks and no word from PT. Starting to think this may not happen....reason is when we last talked, he asked me a legal question. Paul is an Aussie and his visa is expiring. He wanted to know if he could do it himself or did he need to get an attorney. Knowing that I'm a lawyer, he probably figured I could help him out.

However, Immigration law is a specialty and I know nothing about it! I told him so and that he should contact the local INS office to see what forms are needed and whether he should get an attorney.

Now I'm speculating that if I don't hear back soon, my frame has probably been tabled and who knows if I'll ever get it....

1/16/15 - Ha, I forgot to post that Paul put up pictures on my lugs on his blog!

Go here for two pics:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFocy3oMPebG4PBTsHQY-8MeICMmLms837cprKyXdGDGcnN9S1su3FGEyzZGmLKSDf-OgpkZsZhD1jcqFQUUFl1hmuU_MoE-g6Xg57cy3l51jj7oQ_U7Konr_jhvSIz1xHnywZqdAvFfJp/s1600/WP_20150106_002.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj182I5R5dEwoqCigH4xDhwRToPsQ1hK9VPzPG4p8UBFLWYKafEppJyy4Lc9PCydwEn2bBwStlNV2cCZ_tvs7rgrTA3IhNmmcdZ6HlmdVLh2IUG1IhJXob3n3a5adbqAkqUlnr_WBgEDQ/s1600/WP_20150106_001.jpg

Hahaha!

1/14/15 - On Saturday, 1/10/15, I received a phone call from PT! He asked how I wanted the seat stays attached to the seat lug?! I hadn't thought about that. I asked him what are the options? 

1. traditional style  is to attach seat stays to the side of the seat lug.
2. "fastback" style is to attach the seat stays to the back of the seat lug.

He said that there is no difference in the amount of work.

After talking with Paul, we decided that the fastback style is the way to go. It has a more modern look.

Now just waiting for some pics of the frame! :)

1/8/15 - Quick update, on 1/5/15 I received a text from PT with 3 pictures of the lugs! Whoo hoo! I've uploaded the pics to my "google drive" but now need to figure out how to access it?! Duh, I know, pretty lame...

On 1/6/15, I shot an email to PT asking if he could drill a couple of more holes on the lugs of the seat lug and his response was:

"Hi Brewster, No problem at all, already done, tubes mitered, going in the jig tomorrow.
Thanks, Paul"

This is starting to feel really really close! 

1/2/15 - Happy New Years! It's been over two weeks and no word from PT!  Interestingly, the "sale" at Ribble supposedly ended on 12/30/14. Yet, the prices are either the same or only a few dollars more.  I did miss out on a used set of black Paul minimoto v-brakes, but the price $135 versus $178 for new, wasn't that big.

Last weekend, 12/26/14 to 12/29/14, the girls and I went up to Tahoe with Terry's family. I emailed Paul informing him of that so if he was still coming to SF, I wouldn't be around. Never heard back.

So, at this point, the ball is in his court. We shall see....