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Hi all,
Let me pick your collective brains! You may or may not
remember my Christmas
day find: a resprayed 77/78 Masi GC, turned into a
Gazelle. I received a lot
of pats on the back, congratulations, etc., for this
find. Here are the
pics, to stir your memory:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
So, to start off the process of the restoration, I went to visit Joop van Rossem, of Van Rossem Wielersport in Wateringen. I knew he sold a lot Masi's over the years, I didn't know how deep his relationship with Masi really was. Joop has had a business (and friendly) relationship with Masi since the early 70s! Still goes there once or twice a year. Frames he orders have the 'VR' denomination in the bb shell. Anyway, I showed him the frame, and we talked about what is needed to bring it back to originality. Joop points out to me where the filing is done on the edges of the dropouts (a typical Italian Masi feauture, not done in California), to give it a more pointed appearance. And while pointing that out, he notices that the righthand dropout was broken and welded again (you can see the welded spot it I think in the pics). This kind of lets the air out of the whole session. So what are we looking at here. How much frame reparation is needed?
- removal of added toptube brakecable tunnel - adding the broken off righthand gearcable guide on the bb shell - removal of the plate on the underside of the bb shell - maybe reparation of the spot on the seattube where a fd hanger was added and crudely removed - replacement of the drive side rear drop out (with what? a non-filed drop out?)
And then of course the respray and correct decals.
Right away Joop says 'this is not worth it', and (even) more importantly, Alberto Masi won't touch it in his opinion. This Masi has been brutalized, just let it be. An extensive restoration will not bring the value back. So what choices do I have, let me pick your (collective) brains.
- have it repaired, but leave dropout as is, then correct respray - same but dropout replaced with normal Campy (non-filed) - sell the frame as is on Ebay (maybe strip the paint off first), for someone else to give it that restoration - no restoration, simple respray, ride it - wall art (??)
Freek,
1. I'd add the guide 2. I'd remove the plate 3. I'd replace the top tube 4. I'd replace the dropout 5. I'd massage* the seat tube
It's the look of the seat tube "brutalization" that makes me wince the most, as that indicates I could not trust the execution of the top tube tunnel, ergo, I'd opt for a new top tube instead of removal of the tunnel and then having to fill the holes; retaining the original tube, and then having to patch the butcher's holes wouldn't feel good, to me. So I'd exorcise the whole top tube out.
Of course, I'd file the replaced right dropout to match the left.
As for nursing* the seat tube, I'd gingerly file, sand, mebbe add a drop or two of silver in the scars.
That's what I'd do, and that's what I've done, for ten years, to many sick frames, one master's work equal or better to the original master, before handing the frame over to Joe Bell for paint. Gotta look at the patient first though.
Joe Starck Madison, WI USA
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