Folks,
I've got a Masi Prestige frameset on my hands and I'm under the gun to trade it. It's gold/pearled white and is stamed size "54" but in reality measures 52 cm center to center with a 53 cm top tube. Following is a long description, so if you're not interested in Masis, don't bother reading on.
I'm under the gun because my neighbor, who is moving to Switzerland, has been eyeing it. He says if I don't make it "disappear" or otherwise committ it to someone else in the next few days, he's going to disappear it himself all the way to Basel.
But rather than a disappeared Masi, I want a Masi that fits me. I need a bike that measures 56-58 and actually picked this up knowing full well that it didn't fit me but hey, it was a Masi! My hope is that someone out there is in the same boat as me -- holding on to a bike that doesn't fit them because, well, you can't just leave them sitting in the second hand shop all by their lonesome.
The pics (if these don't work, tell me and I'll email you photos)::
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
Here's what I can tell you about it. Serial number is 867. It has Campagnolo dropouts and brazed-on shifter bosses, three top tube cable guides, a chromed brazed on front derailleur guide, and a cable stop on the chromed chainstay. It has water bottle bosses only on the downtube. It has a Masi logo'd Italian brake bridge and the "Masi Brev" seatstay cap logo. It's Italian, of course, and has Alberto's signature on the top tube and fork blade. The fork has the Italian crown, with Masi crest and shoulder slot on chromed crown. Steerer is chromed, as are dropouts. M cutout on bb.
The frame appears true and straight and has no dings. The chrome on the chainstay is in excellent condition with no pitting. The paint, which is gold over pearl white, with gold paint in the lug cutouts and the seatstay plug, is original. But (there had to be a but), it ain't in the best shape. The gold leaf seems to have worn off in some spots, leaving a dull look to the white finish. There's wear on the top tube signature. The head tube decal is scratched and the fork blade sig is rough. Also, the cable guides seem to have suffered some rust and whoever had this before appears to have dealt with this by applying what looks like whiteout but surely is paint to the area. There's also a little bit of rusty looking area on the top of the head tube.
Anyhow, I'd entertain any trade offer, comment, suggestion, query, etc. Remember, I don't have to have this out of the house by Tuesday, but I do need to have it spoken for. Or else....
Ken Bensinger
Brooklyn, NY