Kirk Frameworks

[David Kirk]

The deep custom JK Special just went out the door to Hong Kong. It's got a brushed stainless rear end, disc brakes, painted to match fenders, shifter bosses....etc. And of course it has JB's awesome paint.

dave

[gbcoupe]

Beautiful! Someone is going to be very pleased with their purchase.

[herb5998]

Wow, amazing Dave, as always


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[JasonF]

Dave,

That's outstanding. Is the entire frame stainless or just the rear triangle? And do you ever use stainless dropouts on a regular frame?

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Dave,

That's outstanding. Is the entire frame stainless or just the rear triangle? And do you ever use stainless dropouts on a regular frame?

Most of the frame is stainless but not all. The idea from the beginning was to leave the rear end exposed so that was the focus of the stainless.

Yes...I do use stainless drops in steel frames on request. I can also apply a stainless face to a painted steel drop and do this quite often.

dave

[David Kirk]

When I introduced the all stainless Onesto years ago it wasn’t because I didn’t like having my bikes painted - it was in response to all those clients that wanted the metal work to show. Ironically many see photos of the Onesto and assume that it’s painted gray or clear coated. It’s not. The frame shown here has white paint on the head tube but otherwise it’s all raw unpainted stainless. The metal work shows. It’s honest. Onesto.

This one leaves today for the United Kingdom and should be on the roads there soon.

dave

[madsciencenow]

Holy s@#* that's a thing of beauty! Love it!

[t-v]

Subbed

[David Kirk]

I get asked occasionally what the model name “JK Special” stands for. It’s an homage to my father John Kirk who was a race car builder and mechanic. He would build race cars using the chassis of an Allard and the engine from a Cadillac with suspension of his own design and they were very quick and super reliable. They were mutts in a way.

When I started building the prototypes of what would become the JK Special it reminded me of my father’s work. Tubes from a few different makers, lugs from one place and BB and crown from another...all chosen because they were the best part for the task.

Over time the supply chain was simplified some by having my own designs for tubes all made by the talented people at Reynolds and my own dropouts cut for me by Paragon Machine. But in its own way the JKS is still a bit of a mutt...a no expense spared mutt but a mutt nonetheless. These are all named in John’s honor.

I like to think that John would approve.

dave

[soulspinner]

awesome stuff Dave

[David Kirk]

This liquid silver JK Special has been in England for a week or two now. I'll bet it shine great even on a gray day.

dave

[AngryScientist]

that's great dave. that headbadge with the windows filled same color as the stem faceplace is an A+ touch.

[David Kirk]

I had a professor at Skidmore College where I studied metalsmithing and jewelry making named Peterson and that guy was awesome. One of most common questions students had for him was “How do I know if I’m done polishing this?” To which Prof David Peterson would reply “If you have to ask then you’re not done”. Words of wisdom that went right over the heads of most of the students but the few that understood redoubled their polishing efforts.

Brushed finish stainless...and yes I’m done with it.

dave

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by David Kirk

Brushed finish stainless...and yes I’m done with it.

dave

Dave, looks incredible! Is this a new finish offering and can we see a "full body" shot?

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Dave, looks incredible! Is this a new finish offering and can we see a "full body" shot?

The brushed finish is a base coat of sorts to give the final glass bead finish real depth and luster.

This bike is not the same bike as in the previous photo but the final finish is the same.

dave