i think masis <became> popular because they were the first hand-made frame of any reknown to be "branded". they were (here) made under license. they were "branded" from day one when salm bought the rights to the name, (not forgetting that it was not the first name he sought, just the first to agree to his offer...), and they continued to be "branded" during all the successive iterations that occurred through to the torelli years. rights to use the name - that's what this is all about. and it happened in the right place (here) at the right time (the 70s bike boom). it did not hurt that the family in italy made some really great frames for some high profile clients during the era that preceeded all these deals.
i've become a masi snob; after being on the list since 99? and reading all the points of view, i am even more steadfast in my beliefs that the best gc frames were made in italy and in the first year or two of the usa operation. i also think the italian prestige model and the original 3V milanese frames are spongeworthy, er, that is - very, very cool and iconic.
i think it's hard for some to absorb that there are many, many more branded masis than there are "real" ones, unless you account for reality by allowing the owner of the name to be making real ones. in other words, by this definition, haro would be making real masi frames now. but, i digress...
sorry for the pompousity.
e-RICHIE
chester, ct
portland, or