Greetings:
I have reluctantly decided to sell my 55cm Chris Kvale frame and fork. I purchased this frame three or four years ago from esteemed list member John Barron. At that time it was NOS, having been built in 1990 for a customer who failed to follow through on the deal. I'm told that it sat in Chris's shop window until I bought it on eBay from John.
The details, taken from the original build paperwork, which I still have and is included in this sale, are as follows:
Seat Tube: 55 cm center to top Top Tube: 56.5 cm Seat Angle: 73 degrees Head angle: 74 degrees Takes a 27.2 seatpost Internal top-tube cable routing The fame is constructed of Columbus SL, except for the downtube and chainstays, which are Columbus SP.
The frame is painted "gold pearl over white solid," according to the original paperwork, with red and yellow decals and red painted highlights/windows in the lugs, etc. The gold pearl is subtle, and the frame appears to be white except upon close examination. The lugs are beautifully filed and very thin, characteristic of Chris Kvale's style. The rear dropouts are a shortish horizontal type made by Gipiemme.
Included are already installed: (1) early 90's Campy Chorus headset, which is butter smooth; and (2) a nondescript Sugino cup-and-cone bottom bracket, which I found to be in need of overhaul when I disassembed this bike.
I am selling this frame, despite it being my favorite both aesthetically and in terms of ride, simply because it was always a bit too small for me (and, now, my regrettably expanding gut). It has been ridden sparingly (less than 500 miles) and never crashed or otherwise damaged.
I would describe the condition of the paint, conservatively, as very good to excellent. There are about a half-dozen chips, most of which have been touched up, including one dime-sized spot on the inside of the non-drive-side chainstay that resulted from the rear wheel shifting in the dropouts during my first ride.
Photos are available at: http://s104.photobucket.com/
Price is $475, which includes careful packing and ground shipping (and insurance) to the continental U.S. Paypal is accepted and preferred, but I will accept checks (shipment upon receipt of funds) or money orders as well.
Thanks for looking.
Frank Cordell
Seattle, WA