In a message dated 12/6/05 10:02:59 AM, MotorRef@peoplepc.com writes:
> Bob,
>
> I don't know for certain that the initial shipment was built by Billato.
> I do remember that they were spec'ed not be Ted, but by Randy @ High
> Country Imports, the then distributor for Masi.
>
> They were not poorly made, but the paint and decals just weren't up to
> snuff - vinyl top mounted stuff. I still have a box of them somewhere!
>
> We stripped the decals off the frames and resold them to Euro Asia. As I
> recall, the only engraving were the letter "M" engraved on the brake
> bridge and the fork crowns. They were constructed of Columbus Aelle R.
> The telltale on these frames was the double taper seat stays and the
> internal fork crown.
>
> We later saw or heard occasional reports of some of these frames being
> repainted elsewhere and sold as Gran Criteriums.
>
> Jim Allen
> the CycleSmiths
> Ranchita, CA
>
Thanks for elaborating, Jim... very interesting about the brake bridge and fork crown, I remember seeing a bike matching that description showing up on
eBay some time ago and I was wondering what the heck it was. I'll have to check my photo archive at home and see if I saved the photos... I don't remember how it was decaled, I just remember that fork crown.
Any idea where Randy is these days? I'd sure like to find out who that intitial subcontractor was if not Billato. You think Ted might know?
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA