TOP EYES
Hetchins frames had different designs of seat stay ends or top eyes. This refers to the manner in which the top part of the seat stay is brazed to the seat lug. Few frame builders make their own top eyes; industry standard ones are used by nearly all frame builders, including Hetchins. It is usually a heavy, solid piece of metal with a plug which fits into the top of the seat stay. |
 |
Early frames used simple scooped or flat top eyes until sometime in the 1940s. |
 |
After the War until the mid 1950s, Hetchin apparently experimented with various top eye designs. The three below are all on Experto Crede frames. |
|
|
|
By 1953 or so, Hetchin had settled on wrapovers with 2 flutes or scallops and these became the standard for many years; these are known as gold fluted top eyes. |
 |
 |
The plain flat wrapover eventually replaced the gold fluted one as the standard. |
The ones for pencil stays are narrower. |
 |
 |
Flat wrapovers with Hetchins script. Two variations are known. |
This type is called the engraved flat wrapover. The script is cut into the blank using a pantograph. The earliest known frame which has them is an MO from the late 1970s. Two variations are known (note the straight or curved underscore). |
 |
Chromed flat wrapover with script. |
The italianate design integrates the seat stay with the binder bolt, giving a very neat appearance. Tangs were sometimes added. |
 |
Plain italianate. |
|
Italianate with short tang. |
|
Italianate with medium tang. |
|
Modern topeye, 2020. |
|
|
| Restoration | Frame Identification (Serial Numbers) | The Various Models | Rare Models | |
|
| Catalogs | Production History | Racing Heritage | Harry, Jack,& Alf | Special Features | |
|
| Frame Components | Transfers | Lug Designs | Gallery | |
|
| For Sale Used | New Production | Other Marques | Copycats | |
|
| Contacts & Links | What's New | toc | |
