An article written by the magazine, The BC Cycling Journal, 2 Wheeel Freedom (August 1997), captures Willi Fahning's bicycle building art and gives some history to Fahnini Bicycles. Propel Yourself on a Fahnini Cycle by Yvonne Moragne Willi Fahning propels you to an extreme on his aerodynamic Fahnini Road Bike. A cycle of this caliber will get you thinking, "it's time to let my mountain bike recuperate for a while." Since 1986, Willi has customized and designed cycle frames out of his Sidney Propeller Shop. There you will discover a counterclockwise clock and labour rates that increase for talking, watching, and more for arguing. Willi has a great sense of humor as well as a passion for road racing. He experienced his first road race on September 1, 1955, The Day of Peace in East Germany. He placed third." I won a bouquet of roses and a kilogram of sausages. My mother scolded me because she didn't know where I was and didn't believe I won the sausages - until she read the results in the paper," says Willi with a smile. In 1960, he was the East German Provincial Champion, Willi is an avid racer and presently races with the Sidney Velo Cycling Club Association. He established this organization, which caters to riders over 35 years old. Furthermore, he sponsors a team in Chile. In his office, he proudly displays snapshots of the successes of the team on the Fahnini Cycle. Yearly he returns to Chile. Fahnini frames consist of chromoli, which is supplied by Marinoni Cycles. This lightweight metal tubing is silver sautered to the locks and joints (where the tubing fits). He braises the fork ends and adds chrome if you choose. During the design process your cycle will experience the MOD-U-131ASTER.This funky machine will sandblast and clean your bike parts. Later, your cycle frame will be brought into technicolour. Willi's services also include custom painting your present bike frame.The cost is minimal: $160 for one colour and $ 10 for each additional colour - it's a masterpiece. Furthermore, he will perform mountain bike operations. "Usually the rear drop breaks on a mountain bike," states Willi, holding up the part. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to the science of welding and customizing cycles. He enthusiastically explains the arduous task of welding titanium in an air tight chamber, then continues to discuss tig welding. It is obvious he takes tremendous pride in his design work and truly enjoys it. With special tenderness he delineates with his hand the structured curves of a massive propeller that he recently repaired. It would take a few Herculean men to gravitate that prop! The Fahnini Cycle is designed with the same precise perfection, at a cost of only $1,200 with chrome and $1,000 without. Willi spends about 40 hours customizing one cycle frame. Your Fahnini Cycle will propel you to new elevations at an intense velocity. ZOOM!! You can visit Willi in Sidney, BC, Canada at: 2320 Harbour Road, Sidney, BC. There is delightful marina view and a new coffee shop next door. For more information call (250) 656-3421 or email Willi at: mailto:sidprop@shaw.ca