Listmembers:
Yesterday Joe Bell and I got an actual look at the Masi Special I mentioned last week that had been "rescued" from a Rummage Sale held for the benifit of the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Someone had already given the bike to these people for free! Late in the day, the current owners' brother was given a "tip" from some guys who work at a bike shop across the street from where the sale was being held. The bike shop guys weren't interested, but mentioned to this person that the bike was over there. The guy checked it out, knowing his brother had an interest in "old bikes". The bike actually was free. Part of the reason it had been passed on previously has to do with the condition. Only a seasoned veteran of old bike hunting would recognize the bike for what it is. It is somewhat rusty and a bit rough, but the parts are generally in good shape; the ones that aren't are things that are easily replacable without effecting the current value of the bike. The rear wheel is not original. The front may be. The bike is complete and intact. Some of the parts indicate 1958 (locknuts on ft. hub, campy alloy crankset) but the front and rear derrailliers are from about 1961 or '62. Maybe there was an incident that involved the rear wheel and rear der., which resulted in a newer der. ft. and rear and the replacement wheel. The paint is original as are the decals. There is chrome on the headlugs, rear dropout faces, fork crown (typical Fischer box crown), and ft. tips. Unfortunately, the chrome is toast and parts of the lugs are rusty. The kid of rust a bike gets from "living" near the beach. The bike has a black head tube. In addition, it has the "short fade" between the world champion stripes on the seat tube, but no actual "panel" color. It is left orange as a background; never seen one like this but it makes sense with these colors. The down tube decal says "Masi Special" like all of the 60's Masis I've seen, but this decal had an unusual border around the white lettering. Instead of the standard single black outline, this decal had a triple outline; two black lines with a gold line between them. There is no tubing decal visible but it should be located right where the bike liscence was placed. The only detail that I'm not sure why it is, would be that the headbadge is rather large in comparison to the one on my '62 Masi. It's the same graphics, it just appears to be much larger and possibly was originally all brass. Mine is chrome plated brass.
JB and I are sort of thinking the bike is probably about 1961 or so. Most certainly not newer than 1962 based on the date of expiration shown on the bike liscence. I'm still thinking there is a possibility the bike could be as old as 1958, but can't say for sure why at this point. The BB is stamped with "A57". My bike was also built in the "A" location. The bike has Cinelli lugs as opposed to the Nervex professional that are on all of the '60 to '63 period frames I've seen thus far. I think most of the the ones I've seen originally came thru Velo Sport in Berekley beginning in 1962. This bike may have come in from a private individual and/or be pre 1959, the date Nervex professional lugs were made available.
For the time being, the bike is being made roadworthy and being groomed for a debut at Velo Rendezvous, in Pasadena this comming October. After some cleaning and possibly some attention to some of the rust spots, it will be left as is and ridden and or displayed that way. Great find at a great price. This one was probably saved from being pitched in the local landfill. She has been reborn and will ride again! This IS a true miracle. Bless the "Bike Gods" for they truely are kind!
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA I still say there is no such thing as too many Masis!