Masites,
Someone asked about the "fluted" chainstays on a Masi track frame I mentioned during one of my rants. Alberto Masi has this "bright idea" sometime back in the late 60's or early 70's to cut some slots through the chainstays ans enclose the hole with a tube the shape of the slot. The purpose was to make the stays lighter and stiffer. The fork blades were done also (facing forward) on the road bike version of this concept. Rex Gephart has a photo of Alberto holding one of these "prototype" fork blades in the Vigorelli shop within the past year or so.
Anyway, the track bike in question (one of only TWO built apparently) came into the Masi Carlsbad shop for replacement of the broken chainstays on this bike. Mario fixed it and it was painted and sent back to someone in the Bay area. I believe it got painted Dark Blue Matallic, no flags on the down tube, only "MASI". The frame was originally pale yellow if I recall correctly. Anybody know this frame??
That's the deal on the fluted chainstays. I guess Alberto used to spend a certain amount of time there brainstorming. What a guy!
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA The funny thing is that this exact frame came up in a phone conversation this afternoon with Ed Litton as we discussed Colnago decals. He knew of the frame as a youngster also. Imagine that!