Wayne,
The frameset looks like like those that Ten Speed Drive imported.
If so, it is Italian and probably built by Billato. Picture of the serial number on the bottom bracket would be useful to confirm.
The "handmade" engraving on the brake bridge was something that Ten Speed Drive also had on their house brand "Tommoso" frames.
I think that it's been repainted as the frames I recall didn't have pinstriping of the strange blue/yellow bands on the the interface between the chrome and paint areas on the stays and fork blades.
Later, Jim
Bingham, Wayne wrote:
> I'm trying to gather some information on a LeMond frame I've just acquired.
> Suspected to be '89 or '90 vintage. (Maybe a little on the edge of the CR
> guidelines, but I beg indulgence. I've been a good boy for quite a while
> now.) Very deep purple (almost looks black), with half-chrome stays,
> drop-out faces and fork tips, yellow decals, lugs pin-striped in gold.
> Internal cable routing on top tube. No tubing decal, but it has Columbus
> drop-outs. "Greg LeMond" engraved seat stay caps and brake bridge, with
> "Hand Made" also engraved in the bridge. I was told by the previous owner
> that it was Italian made, but I forgot to check the threading last night
> (I'll do that tonight). Pics can be seen here:
>
> http://albums.photopoint.com/
>
> Any ideas on correct vintage and original origin of this frame? Didn't
> LeMond contract these when he first tried to start up his frame business?
> Who did he contract with? How long was the venture before it went belly-up?
> Anyone have any additional knowledge, insight, ideas about these things?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Wayne Bingham
> FC VA