With respect to the Masi Special track bike that I outed previously: see
http://tinyurl.com/
In response to the question:
" I'm curious about how the bike was dated to '72 if anyone has some insight to offer."
Tam offered the following:
"Some off-list chatter has brought my attention to the fork and its crown, which does not look like a product from Masi in design or construction. It would be prudent for those who are seriously interested in the bike to ask the seller if he could provide information on any markings on the steerer tube, and perhaps some additional closeup photos of the crown.
It seems to me that a '72 Masi Special Pista would most likely have a twin-plate fork originally?"
Tam,
I do not claim to be an expert on Masi bikes (nor do I play one on TV), but I simply do not see anything inconsistent with a 1972 production date with the fork crown seen on the bike. It appears to be the original fork to me, as does the paint. As you rightly stated, I have indeed asked the seller to pull the fork to verify whether or not there is a date stamp on it. My guess is that it will be late 71 - early 74 vintage if the fork is indeed dated. A lack of a date stamp would however, unfortunately, not necessarily disqualify the bike as being all original from Masi as there were some non-marked frames.
As far as negative off-list chatter goes, I would be interested to hear what is being said. All I have heard from all the dependable East coast 'experts' has been highly complementary with no doubts expressed whatsoever by anybody. I hope therefore that you are not relying on information from a questionable source in Boston, as I hear that he has contacted at least one potential bidder suggesting that he not bid because of so-called dubious reliability of the information. In my opinion, if it is indeed the person who I expect, I would guess it to be much more likely that he simply has designs on the bike himself and is trying to lowball the bike for his own personal gain. It wouldn't be the first time that he has resorted to such tactics.
I look forward to seeing what the fork steer tube reveals...
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA