Gang:
Man some of the things that stay in the recesses on ones mind...scary.
Mike Melton was a partner in crime with the one and only Dave Moulton. These two worked together at Paris Sport. Later they were ask by the USOC to create an areo frame out of special Reynolds tubing for the 84' Olympics. You can read about on Dave's reinstated blog.
It is interesting reading because the bikes they were asked to build back then were going to cost 8K. Can you imagine $8000.00 for a silly bike bikes in 84'. Anyway Dave asked Mike to help him build these "ridiculously expensive bikes" which might have been the greatest things since sliced bread, but some of the USOC and Olympic riders turned a blind eye to Dave and Mike's innovations and the project got shelved.
So in short it sounds to me that Mr. Melton had the "Chops" when it come to frame building. How he got into the Bianchi biz is a mystery. Maybe Dave you can chime in here.
See Blog below.
PS: Dave thanks for reactiving your blog. Great insight and reading.
http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/
Hope that helps.
Jack
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Jack Gabus
jgabus@gmail.com
Laguna Beach, CA
USA