Morgan,
Bill Recht NEVER EVER acquired the rights or the property of MASI in California.
I know that he made at least two attempts to acquire the rights to the name, but was not successful. Word was that Roland Salm just didn't like him. I haven't GOOGLED Bill Recht, but I imagine there's enough there to understand why that might be...
Ted Kirkbride later acquired the rights and workshop equipment from Roland.
Jim Allen the CycleSmiths still repainting all those Masi's I painted years ago San Marcos, CA
Morgan Fletcher wrote:
>This one is on its way to me:
>
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>According to the seller:
>
> Serial Number: 065
>
>He also wrote:
>
> As to the history of the bike. I was in a cycling club here on Long
> Island in the mid 70's when I discovered that one of my club members
> owned Masi America. His name was Bill Recht. Bill got anyone in the club
> an all Campy nuovo record Masi at his cost ($525.00 in 1976) who wanted
> one. Mine was a beautiful light turquoise with bits of yellow about the
> interior of the lugs. [...] When Masi pulled out of California Bill Recht
> kept the factory and Medici was born. The Medici's of that period were
> really Masis with a different nameplate as they were made by the same
> people (Mario Confente) in the same jigs. My Masi had the additional
> braze-ons added and the plating done at the Medici plant for the grand
> total of $125.00 (Bill was really good to us)including the Phil Wood
> bottom bracket.
>
>Did a search for 'recht' in the archives and HOO BOY.
>
>Anyone tell me anything more about it? It will probably go to Ed Litton for
>braze-on removal and re-paint.
>
>Morgan "seeking entry to the cult" Fletcher
>Oakland, CA