Now that I know that ALL Masi's have the "M" cut-out, I would like to share with you the Masi in question.
Here is the FULL TRUE story on the Masi my friend has; (I will refer to him as Dave):
Dave bought the Masi in the mid 70's from a racer (have no idea who). Dave said the only serial number on the bike was something like M58 (Milan 58cm?) stamped on the BB shell.
One day, Dave took his Masi to a reputable bike shop here in Palo Alto for a "tune-up" back in 1978.
When the bike was ready, Dave went to pick it up on the date and time (given on the repair ticket.) When Dave handed the Service Manager (SM) the ticket, the SM explained to Dave that they (the shop) could not find a serial number on the bicycle. The Service Manager went on to say that they poured some sort of acid on the bottom bracket (perhaps to remove paint?) in hopes of finding a serial number to record on the repair ticket. Well, they did not find anything other than the "M58".
As you can well imagine, Dave was furious and demanded that they give him back his bicycle back at once. It gets worse. The SM then tells Dave, "I'm sorry, but we had to turn your bicycle over to the Police for investigation." Dave told me he was ready jump the counter and do things to the SM that I don't dare mention.
The Police found that the bicycle WAS NOT STOLEN. But since it DID NOT HAVE a "serial number," the Police took the liberty of stamping one on the BB shell for their records.
So now this bike does have a "serial number."
End of story.
My question to the list: Do you think this bicycle has lost value as a result of the new serial number being stamped on the frame?
It originally came with Martano rims laced to Campagnolo high flange hubs. Then the wheels were rebuilt with Fiamme Red Label rims (which lasted about 15 years). I personally built the wheels Dave is currently riding on about 10 years ago. They are tubular rims made by Mavic but I can't remember the model; (MA-4's maybe?) laced to his same old Campagnolo high flange hubs.
Dave was telling myself and some others a story one night about how his mother (of whom he lives with) had an accident while vacuuming the stairs one day. Dave said the electrical cord got wrapped around her leg and when she stepped down one stair and then she "slipped and fell on her fat ass." Well we all thought it was funny, but unfortunaltely Dave's mother heard the whole thing. She came out of the house and charged into the little cottage where Dave lived and threw the bike on the ground. She started jumping up and down on the wheels I had just built for him; (all 300 pounds of her!) Fortunately, the wheels suffered little damage as the 14-gauge, 4-cross pattern stood up to the beating.
Said Masi has Campagnolo BB, Cranks, Hubs, Front and Rear Derailleurs, Brakes (that are scripted), Headset, Seat Post, Shift Levers, Cinelli Stem and Bars. Saddle is not original. Pedals are Campagnolo copies--Kyotoku?
Anyhow, Dave is considering selling the bike so that is how I got into this whole thing about the "M" cut-out in the BB shell.
Thanks again for all of the off-line help and input.
For any of you who may live of have lived in Palo Alto at any time in the past 15 years, this Masi belongs to the guy who use to ride down University Avenue at 12:00 noon on week days. He rode in the middle of the street between the double yellow lines, and leaned over so far backwards, it was unreal. He always dressed in all white.
Ted Baer
Palo Alto, CA