Bob,
The proper seat post size for that bike is 27.2mm. Having seen your new aquisition at the Cirque; I have to say "nice bike, man". It's just a few parts and some cleanup away from a stunner.
I saw several of the coolest bikes I've ever seen in my entire life at this years event. Most were track bikes. The ladies Cinelli is an interesting bike. I had to think about that bike a bit before I realized what it is. Scotts' '48 Masi track bike floored me. I believe I finally saw a bike that was made from start to finish by Faliero Himself. More about this later, perhaps. Matty picked up an early 60's (?) Pogliaghi Track bike that is SUPER cool and EXTREMELY interesting. Decaled with a (help me out here Matty) "******* special" label on the seat tube. I believe this model somehow is related to a rider "berghimo" (or whatever it says, I can't remember the spelling) and has some unusual features. The best of which is the use of some Columbus "extra" PS chainstays (the type that bulge out just past the 22.2mm section that goes in the c/s sockets) as fork blades. The chainstays were inserted into a nice 22.2mm round track crown. Never seen that before!! Very nice treatment. I suspect the namesake of this special model was a sprinter.
There was some very nice current works from a large number of American framebuilders this year. I'm encouraged, impressed, and inspired.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
I was hoping someone could confirm the proper diameter seatpost that fits my '68 Masi Special. I was given a NOS Campy binder bolt by the friendly folk at the LBS and while the diameter is correct, it is a few mm too long when screwed in all the way. The outer faces of the ears on the seat lug appear parallel so I don't think they were overtightened around a too-small post, but you never know and I'd just like to be sure before I proceed further.
While leaving Sam's Club today after picking up my daughter's prom pictures (she claims she had as much fun there as I did at Cirque but I don't believe that's possible), I saw an old Oldsmobile Sillouette parked next to me that was a dead ringer for Masi Champaigne. I opened my hatchback and yanked the bike out (yes, I'm still carrying the thing around with me, even tho it's not yet rideable...) and held it up to the minivan to see if I'd found my color of touchup paint. Just then the owner, a man about my own age, appeared and wanted to know what the hell I was doing. I pointed out the rust spots on my bike and explained that I was trying to match the paint. Once he was assured that I was not trying to key his minivan with my bicycle, he eased up a bit and began to tell me about the wonderful bike he had in his younger days (a Raliegh International I believe he said) and how he always regretted selling it to help fund his first car purchase. I gleefully began to tell him what crap most new bikes are, and that if he really wished to find another International and begin riding again, there was this place called Classic Rendezvous he should visit...
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA