OK, since Lou mentioned me, I guess I have to comment now....
In California, for the 3Vs, we first used EXCEL obtained from Masi in Italy (but mostly for repairs), and later used Columbus, True Temper, and Reynolds tubing. Don't ask me which ones used which tubing, I didn't track that, and as a rider and racer, couldn't tell the difference in the bikes I rode. I still have my '83.
Jim Allen the CycleSmiths Ranchita, CA 92066 760 782 2737
loudeeter@aol.com wrote:
> Below is a post from the archives about Masi 3V frames existing as early as 1978. Peter Koskinen posted awhile back that he had a 3V Prototype from 1980. IIRC, the first 3V models were made in Excel tubing, but later the super thin Excel was only used for the smaller frames. I don't know the details about how that all happened. Jim Allen also painted a lot of 3V frames. He may have a better idea of the tubing used. My list of years and tubing was taken from a combination of company literature, magazine advertisements, and buyers guides. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL USA
>
> Jon,
>
> To stir a little mud into the water, I've frequently heard the the Masi
> 3V frames weren't made until the early 80s.
>
> Well about 1978 a brand new Masi 3V frame in red with yellow Russian
> markings showed up at our shop. Everything except the MASI logo decals
> were in Cyrillic lettering. It had several large CCCP logos plus several
> red stars and hammer and sickle decals.
>
> I was managing the business at that time but I had no idea where it came
> from because the owner usually paid these kinds of prizes with out of
> pocket cash and never shared the origins with me.
>
> Around the same time we got in another 3V frame but it was pearlescent
> white.
>
> The "commie frame" hung around our shop for a number of years. We were
> still deeply involved in the cold war and when Russia invaded
> Afghanistan in 1980 it became even more unpopular.
>
> I would have liked to have bought it and squirreled it away but $600+
> bucks was more than I could afford for a potential investment in those days.
>
> At a swap meet in San Francisco last fall I met a fellow who worked for
> Masi back in the day. He confirmed that the frame and date were real and
> not my imagination.
>
> He told me that Masi in Italy built special 3V frames for the the Soviet
> cycling team and they had 3V bikes way before they were released in
> the West.
>
> So much for the Italian commies! ;-)
>
> Getting a replica fork made and chrome plated for your frame is probably
> going to set you back at least $300-$400. Add another $400+ to have the
> frame properly painted.
>
> Good luck...
>
> Chas. Colerich
> Oakland, CA USA
> Off List
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jon M. Crate <Jon@FAI.US>
> To: loudeeter@aol.com
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2010 2:30 pm
> Subject: Re: [CR] Frame stiffness NOW 3V tubes
>
>
> 3V tubes
> Is this the full gamut as far as 'we' can tell?
> Does anyone know how they could be differentiated?
> I ask because I am still trying to date my frame.
> thanks
> Jon Crate
> Marietta GA USA
>
> _____
>
> From: loudeeter@aol.com [mailto:loudeeter@aol.com]
>
>
> That is fine.
>
> From: Jon M. Crate <Jon.Crate@FAI.US>
>
>
> Thanks Lou - if you don't mind, I would like to post your answer.
> Is that ok?
>
> From: loudeeter@aol.com [mailto:loudeeter@aol.com
> <mailto:loudeeter@aol.com?> ]
>
> This is from the Used Bike Guide: Missing the 84-85 3V, but
> someone on the list said that Excel was still providing tubing at
> that time. I thought the super thin Excel tubing was only for
> small frames, but the other guy seems to imply his frame is large.
> >From what I can gather, Masi used a lot of different tubing sources
> for their frames, including the 3V. Lou, off-list
>
> Models:
> 3 Volumetrica 82-83 Excel oversized
> 3 Volumetrica 87-91 Oversize Columbus
> 3 Volumetrica Team 92-94 Oversize Masi
> 3 Volumetrica 95 Reynolds 753
> 3 Volumetrica 96 Columbus Custom
> 3 V Wing 97 Aluminum