Updated: June 4/2020

Bought this 1973 Eisentraut from Matt Gorski (Milano Cycling Club, Belmont Shore, CA) in 2016. This one-of-a-kind bike was built for John Collins Dawson IV (June 16, 1945 – July 21, 2009), nicknamed "Marmaduke", the leader and co-founder of the country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage (NRPS) - named after Zane Grey's novel the Riders of the Purple Sage.) The bike has a unique, psychedelic custom paint scheme supposedly inspired by the album cover of NRPS' 1971 release by the same name. The lug work is also very different than anything produced by Albert Eisentraut., and the non-drive chain stay has John's autograph under protective covering. Bradley J Woehl, proprietor of American Cyclery (San Francisco, CA), who described this bike as a "spectacular piece" once had it in his shop. Brad mentioned to me that Eisentraut was building bikes for the band, and it took him a little longer than usual to build them due to him being distracted by visits from the band members. E-Mail from Brad to the Classic Rendezvous list: I sold that bike for Marmaduke (Jon Dawson) of New Riders of the Purple Sage. Marmaduke had some health issues that kept him from riding it so I found it a good home with the Reverend Slim Buick. The Eisentraut was spectacular and painted to match the album cover of the bands hit record. I got Marmaduke to sign my album that matched the bike. He then sat on the front steps of American Cyclery and played the banjo with Jacquie Phelan for an hour or so. It was a fantastic afternoon at the bike shop. Later when I asked Albert about the distinctive bike he told me that Marmaduke and band paid for their bikes in ways that kept him from holding his torch steady for weeks. Brad Woehl May 30,2016 From the book "Fat Tire Flyer" by Charlie Kelly " Marmaduke had the nicest bike, a brand-new, full-Campy, Swiss Mondia with a rainbow paint job, but it was clear immediately that he was not in the same league with Gary and me." "Marmaduke had decided that his Mondia was not cool enough, so he put in an order for a custom bike with Albert Eisentraut, a Berkeley resident who at the time was the dean of American frame building. I was becoming all too aware of the shortcomings of my own bike; it was far too big for me and cheaply equipped in comparison to the Campagnolo-equipped bikes Gary and Marmaduke rode. Gary and Marmaduke constantly pointed out that I needed to upgrade to a bike worthy of my ability." THE BIKE Frame: Eisentraut A-frame with Reynolds 531 tubing throughout. Unique hand cut lugs, reworked fork crown, drilled-through chain stay bridge, and one-of-a-kind paint matching NRPS' 1971 album cover. No touch ups to the paint. Seat tube and top tube dimensions are 48.5 and 52 cm (c-to-c), respectively. Frame number E020773, signifying the 2nd frame built in July of 1973. Brakeset: 2nd generation Record calipers and levers. Handlebars: 3 ttt Stem: 3 ttt Record Headset: Campagnolo Record Shifters: Campagnolo Record Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record Crankset: Campagnolo Record No date code, 144BCD Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Record Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record Strada with Christophe Special toe clips and REG straps. Only non original component. Came with Campagnolo Super Record track pedals. Wheelset: Campagnolo Record hubs laced to Fiamme Red Label rims. Chain : Regina SC Freewheel: Regina Oro 5 speed Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 27.2 Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor