Greg,
Regarding your Pogliaghi and it's lightness; it is most likely one of the frames made with Reynolds 531 SL. That I've seen. The other possiblilty would be a frame built with Columbus KL tubing, but I suspect it's the Reynolds.
The Masi crosshair decal from my experience has only been on frames dated 1972, and needless to say of Italian manufacture. If there are a number of other frames that are original paint and deffinitely later than 1972, I have not seen them. There were some of those decals left over that probably made it onto repaints done in Italy on Masis. They did not use the decals up until they were gone. I got some genuine Masi Special decals from Jim Allen who got them on one of thier visits to Masi on business way back in the 80's or early 90's. Alberto apparently had recent pitched a whole shelf full of old decals just before or just after that time. Jim will remember that detail.
Knowing what I know about the application of varnish fix decals, I'm reasonably positive the reason they were only used one year was of the difficulties associated with those very fine black lines during application. I'm sure the painter wanted to rid of that problem as soon as possible. Also, I would have expected those "funky" decals would have been sent to the Americans to struggle with like they did with the pain in the ass twin plate fork crowns. I'm sure there were plenty of those decals left over. I even have one (that is spoken for) in my possesion as we speak. I personally don't consider bikes with that decal to be much off of 1972 for date. Those frames should have the date (mo. and yr.) stamped on the steerer of the fork.
The examples cited that are perported to be later have dates that indicate that?
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA As odd as it may seem, the "Masi Universe" changes almost every day.
Similar to my friend Giacomo Gabus question, I am curious about the cross hair down tube decal on the Italian Masi. Seems it was used for several years. It is used on my 71/72 Falerio Masi (original paint etc) - another very informed CR lister has an Alberto Italian frame dated 1974, also original with the cross hair decal... Can we assume decals were just used til they were used up - and shared by both Falerio and Alberto in Italy?
Also, were any Italian Falerio Masi's released from the factory with the cool "Masi" fluting and pantographing (seat post, stem, cutout shifters, chain rings) so prevalent on the later Alberto bikes? Or was a lot of that actually 'after market' add ons?
Ahhhh - I know - such knit picky Masi detail!
And referencing early Pogliaghis. I've noticed a remarkable lightness to my 1969 frame/bike, as much as a pound less compared to similar year and size Masi, Colnago etc. Anyone have any idea why the Pog is so much lighter?
Greg (hope to ride between the raindrops) arnold nyc