Hey JD and Listers,
Funny you should mention brown trucks. One arrived on my doorstep yesterday and delivered a blue Pogliaghi "Italcorse" frame (52cm) circa late 70's (serial no. 11699). It was an e-bay acquisition, somewhat worn (beaucoup paint chips) but lovely nonetheless and just waiting for some TLC. Unfortunately, the bargain price came with two problems: one, a ding on the top tube from the handlebar (?) that doesn't bother me and secondly, a frozen Cinelli 1A stem that for the life of me I can't budge (I guess the seller couldn't either). I tried tapping firmly on the stem from above (it's not all the way in) - no luck. I tried placing a pipe in the stem (not a handlebar) to get additional torque while trying to provide countertraction with the front wheel between the knees - no luck. Even tried tapping the bottom of the stem from below through the fork crown with a long screwdriver - no go!! Anybody out there have any experience with this?
I was fortunate enough to have purchased a custom bike from Spence Wolf in 1981 (a beautiful Jim Merz frame) with Spence-built wheels that to this day remain true (Phil hubs, Super Champion Record du Monde rims, 3 star spokes tied and soldered). Spence also liked to put hash marks along the periphery of the rim so the mastick would have a bit more bite - what a craftsman. I knew very little about Spence at the time, but my buddies all bought bikes from him (Cinelli's of course) - I was just a babe in the woods.
Having recently discovered the CR list, I am thoroughly enjoying the great dialog about these wonderful machines. At the recent Cupertino Anniversary Celebration, a fellow came up to me and asked about my bike. I told him it was built by Jim Merz. He responded, "That's me!" Imagine that 22 years later.
Wilson Lem
(San Francisco)
> Reply-To: jdedwards3@earthlink.net
> Message: 12
>
> Listers,
>
> What a wonderful event occurred today, when the UPS truck delivered a mid
> 70's Pog to me (you can win anything on ebay if you are curious about how
> much the other guy bid and keep thinking, he/she couldn't have put more
> than another $50 on it). While not as nice a find as the recent NOS Masi,
> I do find it a very interesting bike. I had used a Pog track bike of the
> same vintage and same metallic orange color with yellow contrast in the lug
> cutouts. The bike is equipped with NR, with the single exception of the
> seatpost that is an SR. Now I need some help with some parts to replace
> those that don't quite fit.
>
> I will be looking for a 170 SR/NR crank, or a pair of arms. I will also
> need a new Cinelli 1A stem in 110 or 115. I will have a set of 172.5
> cranks with 42/52 NR rings to trade/sell when I get moved. Any help from
> all you folks would be appreciated.
>
> This is a great looking bike that has very few miles. Alas, as soon as I
> opened it up and checked to ensure it was OK, then I had to pack it up
> again for the move.
>
> JD "happier than a weasel in a dead moose" Edwards
> Edwards AFB, Ca
> Where the wind is blowing and it must be snowing