Dale and all,
I haven't had time to read all of the discussion on the Masi frame; but a few things I feel I might mention, in case no one else has. I deal with this stuff on a daily basis.
First, many frames have slight damage or even unevenness on the tubes near the lugs, for many different reasons. All it takes is for someone to hit a medium pothole at moderate speed and some weight forward on the bike to cause a slight bulge in the tubes. It's nice if a bike is perfectly straight, but it isn't ruined if there is only slight deformation of the tubes. A bare frame is best to see, as in the photos, becaues sometimes, but not that often, a paint job after some slight straightening and alignment checking can make the bulge dissappear. Also, a really expert tube replacement can be undetectable. I do those frequently, and I take it as a challange to make the repair look original. So even a bare frame might not tell that the tube or whatever was replaced; althought it is unusual for an extensive repair be completely undetectable when the frame is bare. My repairs are detectable to the trained eye because most of the bikes I repair are brass brazed, and the replacement tubes I generally silver braze.
In the case of this frame, I would consider it to be in at least very good condition. In person it could go up, but not likely down from there. It's hard to make a real good assesment without the frame in hand. There are also many other points that one would want to look at to further determine it's value and condition. Wear in the seat binder area, is there a bulge in the steerer from an excessively tight stem, has someone cut off some of the original steerer length to accomodate a non original headset (happens a lot and is frustrating), and so on.
Depending on what the price is, it looks good to me. Most certainly on the upper scale of what comes in for repaint at VCS. I have an early GC in right now that has been through hell and back. I will save it, but it is going to be a big job compared to the frame in the photo.
Brian Baylis
Vintage Cycle Studios
El Cajon, CA
(619)449-5977
http://www.vintagecyclestudios.com
I want to try to turn this into a more positive episode.
JUst for the record, I am convinced that Peter sincerely thinks that this frame is just fine, that he wasn't trying to rip anyone off, and this Masi yet may make a very useful and rideable bike.
I also equally know that Richard saw what I think I see in this frame...
But I took Peter's various photos, cropped them and blew them up a bit so you all can maybe see what I see..
Maybe this will heighten your awareness a bit (or you may think I am nuts!)
Look here:
http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/
Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC