[CR] Magni Bike Story

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:25:26 -0400
From: "George Hollenberg" <ghollmd@gmail.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Magni Bike Story


I enjoyed seeing the photos and streaming video of the restored Magni bike. The story is well designed to gain the attention of the vintage lightweight community to De Ponti's (a bike collector and dealer) and Masi's restoration capabilities. However, several very interesting issues are raised. It seems obvious from this story, and from seeing many other bikes on De Ponti's eBay site, as well as images of a vintage bike show/sale held at the Masi shop, that Alberto Masi and De Ponti are actively involved in the restoration and sale of vintage lightweights. Among them has been Alberto's own chromed Prestige. These sales are not limited to Masi bikes. It would be interesting to know whether Alberto Masi is liquidating his own bikes, or has partnered with De Ponti in the restoration business, restoring bikes acquired by De Luca? One also wonders who is doing these restorations, and whether they plan to restore other bikes of the calibre and importance of Magni's? The Masi shop at the Vigorelli will be closed in several years, and probably not reopen in its current location, since the the entire area will be renovated. There is little doubt that many valuable and historically important bikes remain in the shop. It would also appear that neither Masi, De Ponti, or Magni have bought into the notion, popular among some collectors here, of "conservation". Most, but not all, bikes sold by De Ponti/Masi have been completely repainted and outfitted with polished or replaced parts, some "period correct" and others not. George George Hollenberg MD CT, USA -- George

George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA