Re: [CR]masi GC on ebay

(Example: Events)

From: <BobHoveyGa@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 17:09:09 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]masi GC on ebay
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 1/3/05 4:35:28 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:


> Hi there,
>
> I guess I missed a detail on the postings, sorry for retracking but when did
> Masi start using Henry James lugs? Sort of a time line and when did Masis
> become less cool question really.
>
> Thanks
> Guy Apple
> Sunnyvale.
>
>

The switch from pressed to investment cast lugs appeared on Carlsbad Masis around late1975 (somewhere around #0200 tho there is no firm line... 0115 and 0207 are IC while 0157 is pressed)

The switch from the Fischer to the semi-sloping IC crown came a bit later, around '78 or so I believe.

The IC crown with the oval crest on top appears in 1983.

As for the 'when did Masis become less cool,' that really depends who you ask. For some it is when San Marcos shut down and all work was subcontracted to Mondonico and others. For some it is when IC lugs came in. For others it is when they stopped using the twin plate crown. Some think it's not cool if it was made in America. And the truly hard core don't think it's cool unless Faliero himself held the torch. Take yer pick...

For me, 'cool' is a bike with hand-filed pressed lugs... if it is one I'm gonna cherish and admire and ride occasionally in good weather. But if it is one I'm gonna ride everyday, cool is one of Joe Starck's nimble 80's frames with an Imron paintjob that you can lean up against the telephone pole out in front of the coffee shop and you're not gonna bust a blood vessel if it gets scratched.

Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA