James:
I have the identical Moretti frame as the Denver link you posted, orignal paint, in good condition. I bought it on eBay a year ago and built it up with SR components from the mid-1970s. SN is 90488; I need to check the size; I am 6'0" and shrinking slowly. A photo of my Moretti is posted on my website below. On the homepage, go to the photo box, click on "office bikes," and photo 7 is the Moretti. I agree these are beautiful machines. Your personsal history with Mr. Moretti is priceless. Let's connect offline; I have been looking hard for info on these frames; you are my first bite. I could not open your wool jersey link.
Another newbie winning the Powerball on CR.
Bill Kloos Law Office of Bill Kloos, PC 375 W. 4th Street, Suite 204 Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 343-8596 Fax: (541) 343-8702 e-mail: billkloos@landuseoregon.com Web http://www.LandUseOregon.com
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Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 16:27:57 -0500 From: James Doolittle <JDoolittle@bentwaterclub.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]My Moretti Message-ID: <B2BB7DBE484ED611B9AD00508BE7C737B8DB39@SBSRVR1> Content-Type: text/plain MIME-Version: 1.0 Precedence: list Message: 8
CR,
I have been reading with interest the list for several weeks and hope as a newbie, readers will understand that although I am not a collector like it appears most on the list, I am an aficionado of extreme prejudice to one "on list" machine.
I have a Moretti, Columbus steel, circa mid 1970's. I rode with a gentleman in Vail, Colorado in 1976, Caesar Moretti, Jr., who was in his 70's at the time. I was 24 at the time. Caesar was a 6 day racer, from the 30's and 40's. His father, Sr., raced as well. Here is a link to a program I found on the web from a New York 6 day race in 1939 that Caesar and his partner won:
http://www.unc.edu/
I was a cat2 and had a Grandis that he said was not right for me. He put me on this frame that he, "imported from Italy from the man who made his frames when he raced". Although I was a fairly seasoned rider up until that point, I had never been properly "fitted" by someone who really knew what they were doing. Caesar tweaked all the components I had at the time, stem, bars, crank arms and of course seat height and position. The end result was amazing. The moment I got on this bike it was as if it was a part of me. Of course I still have the bike and recently, after 30 years of carrying it all over the world, I have started seriously riding it again.
I researched the archives of CR and found reference to another Moretti in
Denver that looked exactly as I remember my frame originally with regards to
paint and decals. http://img42.exs.cx/
I have re-painted my Moretti since. I attempted to e-mail the gentleman with the other Moretti in the archives but did not hear back from him.
I put photos of my beloved Moretti on wooljersey to see if anyone can figure out who actually made the frame with the end result of perhaps restoring the headbage and decals. I'm not sure if this is possible. At the time I think I heard Caesar say he imported about 200 of these frames. It is definitely a classic Italian racing frame from the early to mid 70's. I believe Caesar passed away in 1984.
The rear campy stay has 62, I'm 6'4" and it's a 62cm, and what looks like a serial number stamped. Here are the photos on wooljersey:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I am unable to put into words how I feel towards this magical machine. We have seen many miles, over mountains, hill and dale in many parts of the world.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
James Doolittle
Spring, Texas