In a message dated 1/21/2005 2:34:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, John Jorgensen writes: I got to see those pedals, Cliff Halsey, a Shimano Pro of the day made a pair for himself as well.
They were pretty crude but worked.
Basically a alloy block bored out to accept Campagnolo races and axles that were shortened for more pedal clearance, alloy angles were used to tie the body to the shoe to keep the distance from the foot to the pedal axle as small as possible, no dustcaps, no grease. The alloy angles kept the base of the shoe stiff as well.
I doubt the Cinelli M71 would have been considered.
The downside was that the shoes did not last long as there was no strap to take the load away from the shoe upper from the sole connection.
Prior to the "Europeans" coming over here for the Grand Prix of the United States races in the mid '70's at Encino, the ABL of A officials always gave grief to those who did not wear socks, & they had to be white. I, too, saw these pedals at the Grand Prix of the United States at Encino. Definitely not M71's. Nicholson sat on the bike and laced up his shoes while the starter held him. A good psyche move in the finals, since it took so long to get ready for the heat.
I remember seeing Ron Skarin on a Cinelli track bike at the same event. I had never seen one before so I asked him what kind of bike it was. "A Yellow one," he replied...
Mark Ritz
Fog's rolling in again in Arcata, CA