Originally Posted by
techrtr
Hey Everyone,
Someone contacted me about a Masi GC that they are thinking about buying. The bike was apparently purchased in Holland in 1977. There is a number FF55 somewhere on the frame. Would appreciate if very much if someone can tell me what FF55 means and if it's even possible that the bike is a GC with a number like that (I'm thinking maybe it's actually a Prestige).
Thanks in advance for any info.
Bruce
Details will tell what it is, Gran Criterium, Prestige, or even a Faliero Masi.
I have seen an FF prefix before. As others have mentioned, the numbers are for the size, center to tip top. Masis measure small for their stated size. The prefix code gets debated, and "firsthand" reports acknowledge subcontractors and some others don't.
I will go with the subcontractor concept, with a few follow on comments. Not all subs made forks. I have seen some prefixes get recycled over the decades. Within an era, frames with the same prefix have similar details. On frames from the 80's on in my observation, there is also a date code in smaller number stamps. In the 70's it seems to appear frequently on the steerer as a month and year.
The above is for Italian Masi frames only from the Vigorelli.
California got different treatment.
Bob Hovey's articles are pretty good, Brian Baylis has seen quite a bit from his work at the Carlsbad plant and later restoration work.
Brian has even turned a big Masi into a smaller one.