Re: [CR]Another Masi question

Topics: Framebuilders:Masi
(Example: Events)

Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 14:05:17 -0800
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Another Masi question
References: <F252UVYKkpLTkUD5euw00001ebf@hotmail.com> <3A6C80C8.2FC3@earthlink.net> <00a501c084a8$e1b0b3c0$1c29b018@vncvr1.wa.home.com>


Dave,

I can shed some light on that subject. The American stars and stripes decals were made and on hand when the first American Masis were completed late in 1973. They were made for use on Carlsbad Masis. There was no dictate as to which seat tube decals were put on the frames. I decaled many frames myself using both styles early in 1974. I don't remember off hand if the first 25 Masi frames (of which I've spoken many times for various reasons) completed in about November 1973 had the American version decal, but I strongly suspect that they did. All of those frames were painted and decaled by Ron Smith (the first and original Carlsbad Masi painter) so I don't remember now that detail, since at the time it wasn't a (big) issue. As it turns out, both Ron and I prefered the world bands and used them as much as possible. BTW, I would like to dispell a "Masi Rumor" that is not a fact. For some reason many people think that the first 200 Carlsbad Masis had no serial number on them. That is absolutely FALSE! Every CA Masi had a ser. # from day one, again I mention the first 25 frames finished, numbered with a system that lasted exactly 25 frames and then changed into the system we are all famalier with for CA Masis of that period.

Now for the bad news. Having seen a photo of Davids recently acciquired Masi, Here's what I see. An early CA Masi GC that has had the front head lugs replaced with Henry James (or similar). Obviously a repair and (amature) repaint. It's not one of those "mystery" first 200 Masis with no ser. #; rather a Masi that has lost its number when the down tube was replaced during the repair. Could be the number is still there under bondo or something. Sorry Dave.

Brian Baylis
>
> Then, what American Masi production years featured the stars and stripes
> seat tube decal?
> David FEldman
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
> To: <stevens@veloworks.com>
> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 10:49 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Another Masi question
>
> > Steven L. Sheffield wrote:
> > >
> > > On the other hand, it is also tradition to put all the decals and labels
> so
> > > they can be viewed from the drive (or photo) side of the bike.
> >
> >
> > Well yes, but not _all_ decals.
> >
> > Beside the signature decal on the left of the top tube, Masi have the
> > world's championship seat bands on the seat tube with the small
> > rectangle with the years listed on the left side of the tube.
> >
> > Chuck Schmidt
> > South Pasadena, California