Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Can anyone tell me more about Masi...?

I was just given a Masi V3. Looking at the bottom bracket, there is a 50(?) stamped on the underside of the down tube, RO22 sideways to the right of the cutout "M" and faint 8412 above "M". Color is white and components are a combination of champignolo internationali breveti and shimano dura ace.

Can anyone tell me more...? I plan on cleaning it up and riding it, just want to know what I have. Tried to research online, but a lot of information out there. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

if it is a 3V - Volumetrica, then you do have one special frame
go here as a start
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Masi/Masi_main.html
scroll down
Faliero and alberto and the bikes their apprentices put together have well deserved reputations
way different from the modern brand.

do post some pics, here or in the regular C & V forum.

The 3V had a long lifespan - from the early Italian versions, to the ones made in the USA under license, to the Team 3V frames of the 1990's. The early Italian ones are the ones most desired by collectors (especially those made with the exotic Excell tubing), and yours appears to be one of those. Judging by the BB stamps, it's from December of 1984 - '84 was I believe the first year the 3V was introduced into the Masi lineup. Very cutting edge concept for the time, and the frames/bikes have a reputation for being quite stiff and racy.
It's always nice to have pics ...

Thanks for the info. I just received the bike yesterday evening, I will try to take + post some pics this weekend. Any ideas on value? I know it is dependent on condition and components, but a ballpark?

Thanks for the info. I just received the bike yesterday evening, I will try to take + post some pics this weekend. Any ideas on value? I know it is dependent on condition and components, but a ballpark?

The small size will hold it back a bit unless there are two Japanese bidders interested at the same time. The Shimano will hold its value back. Besides that its all condition. So, lots of variation, unfortunately Italian chrome and paint at the time were fragile.
Small chance you have an Italian Vigorelli built and USA painted example, if so, then things improve.

I can't wait to see pics. I agree about the size it may even be small for jstack

Not certain about the 50cm...could be 58cm, difficult to decipher. I'll search the internet on how to measure size and try to verify. Overall paint appears to be good for 27 years old...a few chips here and there, but nothing major. A few spots on frame, only around penetrations, show discoloration (maybe rust). Other paint chips show clean bare metal. Will try to capture in photos.

Measure it from the center of the crank along the seat tube to the very top of the seatlug. That will give you Masi sizing. The difference between 50 and 58 is huge - a 50 will have very little headtube showing between the top tube and down tube.

Okay...I'm pretty sure it is 58cm. There is quite a bit of head tube, and when I straddle the bike, my inseam barely clears the top tube (I'm 6'-1"). Pictures still to come.

I assume this size is a little more desirable over the smaller, but may be on the large size? I've got an appointment with a local shop to take a look at it to let me know what it would take to get it road worthy. If not outrageous, I will probably keep for myself and get fixed up...if more than I want to spend, I will probably look to sell. Can anyone give me a ball park on what I can probably ask?

Okay...I'm pretty sure it is 58cm. There is quite a bit of head tube, and when I straddle the bike, my inseam barely clears the top tube (I'm 6'-1"). Pictures still to come.

I assume this size is a little more desirable over the smaller, but may be on the large size? I've got an appointment with a local shop to take a look at it to let me know what it would take to get it road worthy. If not outrageous, I will probably keep for myself and get fixed up...if more than I want to spend, I will probably look to sell. Can anyone give me a ball park on what I can probably ask?

Probably quite a bit. Depends on details. If it is a first gen Italian 3V then maybe as much as $800 for the frame alone. Early 3V frames regularly go for more than $400 on Ebay.

We really need pics to assign value.

Okay...I'm pretty sure it is 58cm. There is quite a bit of head tube, and when I straddle the bike, my inseam barely clears the top tube (I'm 6'-1"). Pictures still to come.


That doesn't sound like a Masi size 58 at all - sounds larger than that.

That doesn't sound like a Masi size 58 at all - sounds larger than that.

So much for a 50 stamp. Images or naught.

The 3V had a long lifespan - from the early Italian versions, to the ones made in the USA under license, to the Team 3V frames of the 1990's. The early Italian ones are the ones most desired by collectors (especially those made with the exotic Excell tubing), and yours appears to be one of those. Judging by the BB stamps, it's from December of 1984 - '84 was I believe the first year the 3V was introduced into the Masi lineup. Very cutting edge concept for the time, and the frames/bikes have a reputation for being quite stiff and racy.
It's always nice to have pics ...

Having just ridden mine, I must admit it is "nicely" stiff. Jan Heine would have trouble giving it a bad critique, or he would just "dismiss" it like he did the Pergoretti, subjectively while he also admits it performs well. One possible factor is the chainstays are nearly round and 25 mm in diameter, while that includes paint, they are much bigger than the typical for the time 22 mm maximum.

Having just ridden mine, I must admit it is "nicely" stiff. Jan Heine would have trouble giving it a bad critique, or he would just "dismiss" it like he did the Pergoretti, subjectively while he also admits it performs well. One possible factor is the chainstays are nearly round and 25 mm in diameter, while that includes paint, they are much bigger than the typical for the time 22 mm maximum.

The OS tubing obviously has something to do with it as well, but your point about the chainstays would seem to be born out by this chart:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/rinard_frametest.html

(Speaking of Masis, the parts are a real mash-up, but the Giunticiclos should really help this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Masi-Special-/160587783543?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item2563c71d77 )

(Speaking of Masis, the parts are a real mash-up, but the Giunticiclos should really help this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Masi-Special-/160587783543?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item2563c71d77 )

Appears repainted to me but not too bad, other than the top tube paint failure and the need to apply multiple Columbus and a Campagnolo transfer... Those lugs appear to me to be another variation of the Giunticiclo? lugs as they are different than others I have looked at. I like these more. Not nearly enough play money to bid on this one. The parts are scattered over time for sure, but that does not put me off too much. Purchasing no name Campagnolo brakes at the market price is beyond my rational view.