[CR]Masi - Cable Housing Question

(Example: Component Manufacturers)

content-class: urn:content-classes:message
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 10:43:23 -0500
Thread-Topic: Masi - Cable Housing Question
Thread-Index: AcPk7EwF2p1cH6tfSnSEqeyXUu65pQ==
From: "Bingham, Wayne R." <WBINGHAM@imf.org>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Masi - Cable Housing Question

I'm trying to use this frigid, snowy, icy Eastern weather to spend quality time in the shop!

In the last few days, I have finally initiated my Masi Prestige project so that I can have it ready for the Cirque. While prepping the frame and preparing the various components and materials, I have discovered that the top tube brake housing guides appear to be smaller than what I am accustomed to. I had intended to use original Campagnolo gray housing, but it doesn't fit. The guides appear to be 4.6 mm, where other frames I have, and the desired housing, are 5 mm. The Masi frame is an Italian-built '76 Prestige, that was originally assembled by a shop in the US. The bike was about 95% original when I acquired it, and was equipped with yellow housing and Campy 1.8 mm cables. The original yellow housing is, indeed, about 4.6 mm. I have not yet done an exhaustive analysis of all the housing, both old and new, that I have in stock, but will probably be doing that over the next couple days. Since the bike will essentially be period-correct in all other regards, I have to decide which way to go on this, but would prefer to not use the old, original yellow housing. My primary questions are the following, but any insight on this issue from the collective CR brain trust would be appreciated:

Is this an anomaly?

Were there two different sizes of guides that looked the same (I have a Chesini and a De Rosa that appear to have identical-style guides that are 5 mm)?

Did Campy have two sizes of the familiar gray housing in the 70's?

Is smaller (4.6) housing available in the original gray?

Thoughts, ideas??

Thanks -

Wayne Bingham
Falls Church VA