>From the standpoint of ethics there is only one way to answer this question-by giving your honest opinion. The bike's owner has sought you out since you are an expert-he must now abide with your opinion. You should not compromise your reputation and integrity in an effort to spare the owner's feelings. The truth will come out at any rate-not every goose can be a swan.
He should consider himself fortunate to get proper information from a person of your calibre.
George
George Hollenberg MD
Westport, CT, USA
> Here is an ethics question: This guy thinks he has a Masi Gran
> Criterium.
> He bought the bike at a thrift store for $7. It appears to
> have had Masi
> Gran Criterium decals. They are the two tone variety, with
> "Masi" in
> yellow and "Gran Criterium" in white. I believe that those
> decals were
> only used in the early and mid 70's. The guy asks for any
> information
> that might help him identify the year the bike was made.
>
> http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/
>
> However the bike does not look like a Masi to me. The fork has
> a sloping
> crown. The lugs have cutouts in the sides. The frame has two
> water
> bottle braze-ons. There is no photo of the bottom of the bottom
> bracket,
> so I don't know if there is an 'M' cutout or not.
>
> So the question is, should I send him a note saying that it
> looks like a
> nice enough bike, but it is almost certainly not a Masi, or do I
> let it
> alone? He is presumably enjoying the ride (and lets face it,
> the pride of
> ownership) of his Masi. I have to assume that learning of its
> imposter
> status will be a disappointment. Is it better to let him
> continue in his
> mistaken belief that he has made a huge score?
>
> Additionally I suppose it raises the question of how the
> previous owner
> got Masi decals to put on his non-Masi bike.
>
> Best regards,
> Marcus Helman
> Detroit, MI 48265
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA