Steve Bilenky Fuso Tribute Frame
Fri, June 26, 2009 
I never know from one day to the next what surprise will show up in my email box. Like yesterday for example, Ron Lau a friend from the West Coast, sent me pictures of a Fuso “Tribute” frame that he had Steve Bilenky build for him. Ron already owns several frames I built.
When I started building the Fuso frames in my shop in San Marcos, California in 1984 I was simply trying to produce a reasonably priced hand built frame that would compete with all the Italian import frames that were around at that time.
I never could have imagined that some twenty-five years later another esteemed framebuilder like Steve Bilenky would replicate the frame as a tribute.
Steve did not copy a Fuso exactly; there would be little point in doing so as there are still plentiful supplies of used Fusos around.
Instead the frame is definitely a Steve Bilenky, but there is no mistaking where the inspiration for the paint scheme came from.
I am deeply touched.
Reader Comments (8)
that is one nice frame
Dave,
The geometry is like a Fuso, the only changes are...
1. Lighter Tubes than Columbus SL, but it uses Columbus.
2. The BB is fillet brazed instead of lug. It is because he cannot find one with a 74.5 STA.
3. Parts will be current.
The reason is I love how my Fuso handles but want a lighter frame, I found them easier to spin.
The color is easy, there is no other choice IMO.
Ron
very nice frame...very nice
Wow - super, super nice frame and fork.
Pretty sweet. Is this a one off or will he be building more upon request?
Just about every bike Bilenky builds is a one off. However, I am sure he can build another one, either an exact copy or else.
This one is based on my Fuso geometry, IMO, the front end of Fuso makes how the great handling so I asked them to copy it.
Just the old saying, "Good artist copy, great one steal"
Ron...thanks for the info. Great looking frame...but still, its not a Fuso!! :^)
Bilenky recently restored my Fuso and painted it almost the same; I chose a glossy black instead of the charcoal. The red fades into black on the seatstays. I'll soon be building it back up with Campagnolo components
http://gallery.mac.com/bbattle#100121