Al, My only guess is that the "R" could stand for Aelle-R tubing. Some Torpado frames from about 84-86, built with this tubing, have that sequence of characters. The example you showed would stand for a 64cm (c-c) Aelle-R frame, were it a Torpado, but there would also be another sequence of serial numbers stamped under the b.b. too.
Having now gone through my Torpado album files and looking at a few of
these Torpado frames, I must say that there are a LOT of similarities. But of
course, this could simply be due to the common ready made frame parts being used
then. I uploaded some photos I copied from an Ebay auction, that show the
underside of the b.b. as well as other similarities (such as the contour of the
seat stay cap, lug windows, etc.) fairly well.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
The seat stay bridge is different, notwithstanding the "M" pantographed into it. I wonder if this frame was built under contract by Torpado, of even if the reverse could be true ... that this "M" marque could have been a contract builder for those Torpado bikes. Note that the b.b.'s look basically identical, including cable guide placement, and that the "R" stampings are in the same place. Anyway, regardless of any Torpado connection, I think that Aelle-R is a good possibility, and a point to consider...
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 19:09:32 -0700 From: "Al Van Varick" <alvan519@cox.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Cc: alvan519@cox.net Cc: gregy@longrealty.com Subject: [CR]Please help ID this frame
Here is the link
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Al Van Varick Tucson, AZ (520) 207-6955
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