Hi CR Folks - this is a real longshot....
As there are so few Confente frames out there, and with so many "insiders" and framebuilders on the list, I'm wondering if anyone can help.
We just aquired a 58cm Confente (really 57.5cm c-t) that has had some major repair work done and I'm wondering if anyone knows the history of this particular frame. After all, there are very few of these on the planet so maybe someone has crossed paths with this frame in the past.
The frame appears to have had a downtube replacement done and in the process the area with the serial number has been distorted and the number lost. When one looks into the bb shell it is evident by the way the tubes join that something has gone on inside unlike typical Confente treatment.
In the process, the underside of the downtube lug point has been rounded off a bit. Otherwise, the workmanship of the repair is absolutely gorgeous.
In perhaps another episode, the rear drive side drop out has been replaced with one that is not milled in the classic Confente fashion.
We have confirmed the history of this frame for the past 6 years (Important as there is a stolen 58cm running around out there taken from American cyclery). This one has belonged to Jasjit Grewal for at least the past 6 years and for a long time was in the workshop of Rich Gangel here in Colorado. Unfortunately, Gangel did a repaint to the frame and some other repairs, but not the ones in question. Jasjit is pretty fuzzy on what the frames past is - so perhaps a list member might have worked at a shop that took such a frame in at some time or perhaps knew of a repaired bike that made it to Grewall when he had his shop in Colorado.
Thanks so much - I know this is really pushing the envelope but one never knows. Mike Kone