Well, I made the plunge and went for the Masi Prestige recently posted on ebay, snagging it for what was just about my max budget. I won't have it for several days, but I thought I'd tap our great resource pool and see if I can start to identify/date the frame and components. Posted below is a link to the original seller's page of pictures. He has asked (and I am asking) that no one copy the pictures, so please abide. I'll be taking lots more pictures when I get it.
What I know (or think I know) so far:
I should be the third owner. The frame is supposedly somewhere around a '77 model and was purchased in Denver in the late 70's. Italian built. No tubing sticker.
Can anyone comment on, speculate, determine the vintage, origin or tubing? I've heard it might be Reynolds 531 or 753.
The rear derailleur appears to be a first generation SR. Yes? Would the '77 time frame correspond to it being first gen SR? What are the variations prior to the more common black/silver face plate SR? ( I know some of this was discussed a little while ago, but I still didn't get it all).
The front derailleur appears to be NR. Yes? Or would first gen SR group have that FD?
The seatpost appears to be a fluted NR. I know the first SR was twin-bolt fluted, but weren't the flutes shorter and tapered? Is this one an after-market job?
Saddle has obviously been replaced. What would likely have been on it originally?
Appears to have LF front and HF rear hubs. Did people actually do that intentionally, or is this just a mismatched set?
Anyone want to comment on anything related? Check it out at:
http://www.mac-paper.com/
I'll know more when I actually have the frame, and hopefully, I can bring it to the Cirque for further critique.
Thanks in advance -
Wayne Bingham