More questions for the CR brain-trust.
I just ran across a track frame with Telavio decals, supposedly built by Pino Moroni. It's built with Columbus SL tubing and is suspected to be from the mid 80's. What's most curious about this frame is that it has several small holes in each of the three main tubes. The holes look something like bottle braze-ons, but smaller, maybe 2mm, non-threaded, with what appear to be a small reinforcing rings around each hole. The holes are on the sides on the down tube, bottom of the top tube, and front and back of the seat tube. Other than that, the frame appears fairly conventional with plain lugs, Campagnolo drop-outs and a very thin tube-shaped bridge on the seat stays . The fork is chrome with a semi-sloping crown, and the upper part of the fork legs are pressed into a diamond shape, similar to De Rosa's Diamante chainstays.
Is anyone familiar with Telavio frames? Their history and/or other details? Any ideas as to what the little holes are all about? Were these really built by Moroni? Given Moroni's history, could the holes be some sort of weight saving/stiffening device (although I can't imagine any significant weight savings from a few 2mm holes)?
Come to think of it, the holes may be sleeved-through the tubes (the frame was hanging up high and I didn't have a chance to actually fondle it). Anyone ever seen that detail?
Any clues? Inquiring minds, you know.
Wayne Bingham
Falls Church VA