As a semi serious collector of sprockets, I would like to beg you to not do "exact reproduction" of sprockets. Im already having to be really carefull to not buy reproductions of certain sprockets and I see buyers being swindled by sellers claiming repops are the real thing. I know just a lazer cut sprocket does have telltail giveaways and if the buyer knows what they are looking at, can be spotted. Lucky for me, most of the high dollar sprockets that have been repopped, I already have, but my concern is for others.
Case in point; a couple years ago somebody lazered the Harley Davidson HD bicycle sprocket circa 1918-1923. They were sold on a bicycle forum for $80 each as a repop. Somebody bought a few and lathe turned them to closely resemble the original steps and tapers (watch out for these, they are close). Earlyer this year, I saw one of the repops that had not been turned listed on ebay for $420 and the seller said in his discription that it 'coulddips be a repop, but was pretty sure it was authentic". I messaged the seller that it was a repop and pointed out reasons why I thought so, and even after he sold it then had to relist it never updated the description. Somebody ended up buying a repop more or less sold as authentic.
I am a believer in making a minor change to allow people in the future to tell it is a reproduction. The values of schwinn krates dropped consiterably because schwinn repopped (albeit their own) the krate so well collectors couldnt tell the difference.
With all that being said. I think having somebody that is willing and able to make custom sprockets is great and I will be asking for a quote to have something lazered for me.
Case in point; a couple years ago somebody lazered the Harley Davidson HD bicycle sprocket circa 1918-1923. They were sold on a bicycle forum for $80 each as a repop. Somebody bought a few and lathe turned them to closely resemble the original steps and tapers (watch out for these, they are close). Earlyer this year, I saw one of the repops that had not been turned listed on ebay for $420 and the seller said in his discription that it 'coulddips be a repop, but was pretty sure it was authentic". I messaged the seller that it was a repop and pointed out reasons why I thought so, and even after he sold it then had to relist it never updated the description. Somebody ended up buying a repop more or less sold as authentic.
I am a believer in making a minor change to allow people in the future to tell it is a reproduction. The values of schwinn krates dropped consiterably because schwinn repopped (albeit their own) the krate so well collectors couldnt tell the difference.
With all that being said. I think having somebody that is willing and able to make custom sprockets is great and I will be asking for a quote to have something lazered for me.
