Hard to tell for sure from the photos, but it may be that the fasteners for these particular aftermarket shifter bosses go all the way through the down tube. I have a set somewhere that work in that fashion (uninstalled, and staying that way).
I agree...wouldn't trust 'em otherwise (i.e., if they were tiny sheet-metal screws). The bosses' flanges also cover any cracks that might be growing underneath. Not the most highly-stressed part of a frameset, at least.
Scott Minneman San Francisco, CA, USA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Raymond Dobbins Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:15 PM To: Classic Rendezvous Bike List Subject: [CR] That little Masi on eBay
A few days ago John Waner was concerned about what looked like chrome shi fter bosses on this 1970/71 Masi GC, and Dale Brown said that they were " add on Shimano shift lever chrome finish plastic adapters. Should pop off a nd reveal the brazed on Campag style bosses underneath..."
I thought Dale's eagle-eye opinion was correct (the auction photos are very small), but I just saw that the seller has added some new info and pics, c onfirming that they are shifter bosses that have been added on, apparently by way of four small screws on each boss.
A lamentable modification, but still a cool little frame. In case you are planning on bidding (John?), but haven''t seen the new info and pic s...auction ends in under four hours:
BTW, I've never seen those shifter bosses before, and I'm wondering how wel l four little screws into the thin metal, will hold.
Ray Dobbins
Miami, Florida USA