You say 50K 797's were built! Thanks for the info — I had no idea. As for the stiffness issue: I had chain rub too, but it's mostly stopped after some changes in the transmission — or maybe I am just riding differently. As for Sean Kelly and his ride: it is almost a certainty that his bike was pinned — at least in the BB shell. These machines were specially prepared for team racing and individual racers. Whether this was done by Vitus themselves or by the aero-space firm that was contracted for bonding of the interference-fitted tubes, I don't know. Somewhere in my archive I have an illustration of the "watermark" that was used to identify these frames, although (like my Gazelle) the pins are easy to find when the inside of the shell is exposed.

Bonding issues do exist. A mechanic at my LBS has two 979's that were given to him. One has become unbonded. One theory has it that the cause is not so much that the epoxy fails, but rather aluminum corrosion gradually sets itself between the epoxy and the mother metal thereby obliterating the bond. It has been suggested that water emersion is the culprit. So, I try not to ride mine in the rain. And if I do, I blow the joints with compressed air or towel it off. I also wax the frame and apply liberal amounts around the joints.

The best of luck finding another 979, and my condolences over the demise of your prize. I hope that you were left unharmed.