[CR] ID Help: 'Norman' branded road/criterium frameset, Columbus tubing

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 12:55:00 -0400
From: "Patrick Murphy" <pcmnj75@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] ID Help: 'Norman' branded road/criterium frameset, Columbus tubing

I recently purchased a vintage lightweight listed on NJ's craigslist. Some readers local to NJ may have seen it - poor photographs, scant information and not exactly a steal. The seller had no further information about it other than the fact that it had been found in the basement of his inlaw's home.

The frame is branded with simple 'Norman' decals, located on the head tube, down tube, and both front and rear stays. These were not clearcoated, so they are heavily degraded. The frame itself appears to be constructed of Columbus tubing (the fork steerer has helical splines) and the ends are Campagnolo. The rear DO is a Portacatena. There is one set of bosses for a bottle cage on the down tube, brazed on top tube cable guides, above-the-BB cable guides, and cable stop on the chainstay. The bottom bracket is English threaded and has two slots cutout.

Overall, the frame is expertly finished and appears fairly high zoot.

The frameset was built up with Galli Oro Criterium crankset, Stronglight Competition BB, Galli Aerodynamic KL front and rear derailleurs, Galli Oro Brunito calipers, plastic Stronglight needlebearing headset, Simplex retrofriction shifters, 3TTT Criterium seat post, Cinelli 1R stem and 64 bars, Omas rear hub laced to Ambrosio Elite rim. The front wheel is a cheap Trek replacement. Judging by the condition of the components vs. the worn paint on the frameset, I speculate the components may have been a later addition....although: The bottom bracket shell is stamped with a 'C' and a '2', which matches the 'C2' stamp found on the Galli branded Stronglight bottom bracket spindle.

Do the decals ring a bell for anyone? Is it possible Norman was a small distributor or bike shop in the late 70s or early 80s that branded this frame for advertising purposes? Any guesses who or what outfit may have constructed the frameset? Is it possible this could this be the product of a small custom builder in the NJ/NY area? Any information is gratefully received.

I've copied links to photos of the frame and components below. I apologize for not providing a link to an album, but photobucket doesn't offer the option to make individual folders public with its 'free' membership.

Thanks,

Patrick Murphy Budd Lake, New Jersey USA