Dave,
Nice story about the Masi..like you, I have stopped stripping the old classics when I find them, and just appreciate them and ride them in all their original glory.
Pat Moffat Tempe, AZ
-----Original Message----- From: dave martinez <dmart84815@yahoo.com> Sent: Mar 11, 2004 1:25 AM To: CR List <ClassicRendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]Impression:Masi Special (Long!)
Hello All,
It was a circuitous route, but the Masi Special finally came into my rightful possession. I first discovered this bike while checking the S.F. Chronicle Classified Misc. section--back in 1989. The guy that was selling it had both an atitude and a non negotiable price of $800. Sorry to say that this bike was no jewel. It lived a hard life with apparently many owners. Both large and small scratches consumed every frame tube. There was an old green BART bike permit decal as well as a State of California Bicycle License which shared the seat tube with all the wonderful Masi graphics. These were the tell tale indications of a neglected bicycle commuter. But beneath the layers of grime and abuse was a lovely champagne colored Masi Special with all the decals and badge intact. I failed to realise at the time the intrinsic value of those "no name" Campag brakes and 151 bc cranks. I took lots of pictures of this bike and documented the componentry and measurements. Fast forward 10 years.... I get a call from a friend who asks if I still have the details of the Masi. My friend contacts the seller who time refuses to change, hes still a a_ _ h_ _ _ and still wants $800 which my friend pays. My friend keeps it for a few years and sells the frame to another friend. This friend keeps it for a while ( I would periodically inquire about it) and then offers it to me. We strike a deal and Its home at last! The frame was filthy and abused with over 40 years of crud and scratches. My friend sprayed the top tube with grey primer with the idea of arresting any rust that might develope and a previous owner with good intentions did a touch up with a color thats afew shades off. I began a slow, methodical cleaning project. Armed with 00000 steel wool, Finish Line Biocleaner (Great stuff!) and soft cotton cloths, I began a gentle but painsaking crud removal process. Eventually, the frame was clean and I applied multiple coats of carnuba wax. Well, how did it turn out you ask? Its a very clean and sparkling heavily scratched bike with intact decals and a badge. I began assembling the bike with quasi-period correct components that I had on hand: Headset: NR Stem: 3ttt Special Bars:3ttt Special Brakes: Universal Mod 61 cp Saddle/Seatpost: Nitor w/orange plastic saddle Crank:NR Pedals:NR Rear Der.:Steel Record Front Der.:NR Wheelset: NR Hf hubs 36 hole 15/16 spokes alloy nips Mavic E2 Avocet 32mm Freewheel:Regina Corsa Chain:Regina Corsa
The ride is in a word...SUPERLATIVE. What is it about these bikes that makes them handle so well? Effortlessly disecting curves, yet its extremely stable and and reassuring, very much like my early Cal Masi. What the bike lacks in esthetic value, it supercedes it with pure performance. But the esthetics are there despite the neglected finish. The long and understated spearpoint lugs, the chrome plated flat fork crown HARKBACK---- echos of the Tofosi chants: EDDIE! EDDIE! or the intimidation of the EMPEROR OF HERENTHAL, and let us not forget the tenaous JOSE MANUEL FUENTE, MASI was there! Its a tempting thought to send the frame off to one of our many expert refinishers and get it back to the way it may have looked when Peter Rich pulled it out of the box in 1964. I was seriously considering it when I saw an original beat-up 1940 Ford Coupe sputter by.....A sign from the the Gods!
Regards, Dave Martinez Fremont Ca
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Search - Find what youre looking for faster.