[CR]Keying old french bikes

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Eugene Powell" <radfin@SpiritOne.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 13:24:40 -0800
Subject: [CR]Keying old french bikes

When one goes out into the field to study flora and fauna there are guides to help identify the subject at hand. Petals this or thus, pistol this or that, and pretty soon you know for sure you've got poison oak......... A long while back a friend entrusted me with the care of an old french frame he believed was rumored to possibly be a Rene Herse. Looking the frame over casually I can say for sure (mostly),

it's french,

has Nervex lugs (or a reasonably good copy),

is old,

the lugs at some point before the unfortunate rattle-can paint job saw more filing and attention than your average PX-10,

someone with a bottle of Testors (just guessing on brand) and poor brush skills painted an RH on the headtube,

Has an older style of forged (or cast?) Simplex rear dropouts that do not have a derailleur hanger,

I'm pretty sure none of this is conclusive to the frames pedigree or lack there of....... Anyone have any tips on keying in this weed or wildflower in the unkempt garden that is my workspace?

Gene Powell
Rad Finishes
Portland, OR