Open frame Burley??

[cornucopia72]

See:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tandem-Racing-Bike-Family-Cruiser_W0QQitemZ110220328732QQihZ001QQcategoryZ2904QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Did Burley make and open frame Samba??

[TandemGeek]

Yes...

I believe Burley introduced the Samba in 1990 as an entry-level 26" wheeled tandem. About $1000, steel framed tandem that came in 3 sizes with an open frame, or an optional mixte design for larger teams.

They renamed this entry-level design the Zydeco a couple years later (1993?) and it remained their entry level tandem right up and until they stopped building tandems last fall. Although, during the last few years the Zydeco had gone from being a 'made in Eugene' steel tandem to being an aluminum-framed tandem produced off-shore.

[zonatandem]

Burley also made a Samba with a X-frame (or uptube) for stoker.

[Richbiker]

Yup, that's an early Burley Samba. I owned one of those for about 10 years. A good entry level tandem, suitable for short or long rides. Decent, competant, but not high performance. I even toured with it once. True Temper tubing on the frame. Mine came with drop handlebars & Suntour components that worked like a swiss watch even many years later. Interesting note: the rear triangle is pretty much one piece that's bent to form the seat and chainstays. I believe either the top or boom tube (or both) were oval shaped to create a little extra stiffness. Compared to what I'm riding now, it was a noodle though.

Rich

[zonatandem]

. . . and the boob tube was open-ended in the rear. Had someone ask once 'what if you get water in there?' Told them: 'it'll run back out!' Agree a bit noodly compared to today's designs, but a great/inexpensive starter tandem.