Hi All,
First a brief introduction. I am a rider and collector located in Raleigh, NC. My collection consists of mostly English lightweights from the '70s but some others have slipped in as well.
1955 Jack Taylor Tourist 8 speed Simplex Cyclo etc Hetchins Keyhole Spade Raleigh Pro 1974 dressed in mink Raleigh International 1974 Raleigh Competition 1974 Masi Prestige Super / C Record Mark Nobilette Racer SLX Cinelli Super Corsa 1995 SLX NEW 1929 Elgin Bluebird (restored) 1941 Schwin Autocycle Super Deluxe (Carolina Blue!) restored 1938 Schwinn Motorbike restored 1974 Raleigh Sports still in orig box
My question is: I have a Piaggio badged Bianchi touring frame in Celeste. The seat stay cap is engraved "Melton". There is little info out there about Mike Melton the frame builder. What I did find seems to put him in the early 1980s. Does anyone know if he produced bikes in the '1970s or earlier? This is clearly an older frame devoid of shifter bosses etc. I am trying to understand if the paint is authentic and Melton actually built it as a custom for Bianchi or if it was simply painted and decaled using a Bianchi scheme.....
Thanks,
Randy Blatt
Raleigh, NC