[CR]mystery Razesa

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2002)

Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:14:28 -0800 (PST)
From: "David Ross" <dlr94306@yahoo.com>
To: CR discussion list <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]mystery Razesa

I have taken delivery of a neat find, and I'm hoping folks on the list will know more about it than I do:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Dave-Ross-collection/Razesa1/

The seller doesn't know anything about the provenance of this one (it was an "attic find"). The derailer is stamped 1979, so I imagine that's a good working assumption for the date of the whole bike. The Campy parts are a little mismatched, so it may have been built up with a mixed collection of NR/SR parts at a later date. The truly sharp-eyed among you will note that the left crank arm is a Pista (175!).

I have not seen this seat cluster treatment on any frame. The aero-shaped seat stays land very elegantly onto the contoured seat lug. The seatpost binder bolt is recessed directly into the right stay, and the and the left stay has a threaded insert for the bolt. It appears to me that the entire frame is polished and chromed, with a sort of chromovelato translucent blue paint applied over it. The windows in the chrome lugs have paint, and the windows in the painted lugs show chrome. The paint has a mirror finish - it looks more like anodizing than paint.

Given the fragile nature of paint over chrome I'm surprised at its fine condition. A few of the decals have scrapes. Based on the condition of the paint (no chips or scratches under the DT or BB shell), the lack of grease and dirt I think it hasn't been ridden much.

Comments, anyone?

Dave Ross
Portola Valley, CA USA