hi all, a while back i posted to the list looking for information about a masi track frame i purchased, and i got a number of helpful responses, (bob hovey, jim allen, and richard sachs were particularly kind with their time and knowledge).
yesterday i received an email from joe starck about the frame, and he gave me permission to pass it on to the list, so here it is.
i hope that some of you find it interesting and/or helpful
galen pewtherer san francisco, ca
#################################### Galen, In 1986, I was the head framebuilder, building Gran Criteriums (3V production hadn't begun yet), with the assistance of Gregorio, Raul, and Tony.(I can't remember their last names.) In '86 the shop location was in San Marcos on Enterprise Street. Ted Kirkbride and investors had recently acquired Masi from Randy Buckley's Masi Worldwide company. As of my knowledge, owvership of Masi in the U.S. has gone through four phases: Roland Sahm & Co., Randy Buckley & Co., Ted Kirkbride & Co., and presently, Haro. I worked for Masi during the entirety of the Buckley phase ('84 to '85) and most of the Kirkbride phase ('86 to '90).
In '84, Dave Tesch and I were builders; in '85, Tesch, Roberson and myself, and from '86 to '90, just me, with Tony and Raul as my assistants doing the finish work.
So, your "M53, 06 17 86 track frame" was made by me, finished by Tony/Raul. The photos show Henry James lugs, machined steel bridges, and Alberto Masi style decals. The crown has been relieved for tire clearance. The crown comes with square corners that have been rounded.(in-side of blades) Baylis described the seat stay caps as "small," however, his description stems from the poor top view. The rear view shows a long cap, with flatness at the top that curves at the bottom. Also the stay appears to be mitered to the side of the seat lug. So, given the rear view, the stays are not "capped," but are a machined plug. I used this style of plugs on a few frames, but not many. The tubing is likely Columbus, probably SP and/or SPX, then again, maybe Reynolds.
Beginning around '86 and through '88, we made MANY track frames for upcoming riders training at the San Diego velodrome, and for national, world and olympic competetors. With local San Diegans, riders often referred to their frame as having been made by Ted Kirkbride -- true, nominally, given Kirkbride was the owner/manager, but actually, made by me, given I was the only builder at the time. From memory, your frame may have been originally built for a San Diego local, Brian Comer. His name sticks, because I'm pretty sure his was the first track frame I made for Masi. Check it out. Ask your seller where he got the frame from, maybe see about looking up Comer. Jim Allen knows of him, for sure.
That's all for now. Let me know the results if you look into Comer. Feel free to relay this info to Bob Hovey or anyone else interested. Take Care, Joe Starck
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