Hello reelsteel: I can only say that I was startled when I saw the pictures of your Di Bartolomei. Every detail appears to be the same as my "SIMPLON 4 Star”, even down to the paint design. The chromium tubes are the same, as well as the lugs and their windows, ferrel guides — the lot! I see the forks are Columbus, so should I assume the rest of the frame is too? (My triangle is badged as Reynolds 531.) I had fotos of my bike on this forum, but they have dinosaured, and AFAIK no longer appear. I will update with new ones soon, and we can compare.

For reasons I will forgo here, I have always thought that Simplon contracted someone to build my frame. And I thought I had a pretty good guess in regards to a larger Italian maker that used to produce frames for some very good marques when their orders were piling up. I'll have to dig back in my stuff to see the name —I forget. It was not the charming little shop you show here.

Of the three bikes I am currently riding, the Simplon is my most favourite ride. In 2010 I bought it in auction, and it was shipped from Budapest to Japan where I live. I built it as single-speed on tubs. The frame is asymmetrical: 56x54. It fits me perfectly.

I've been away from Bike Forums for awhile; I'll be back soon with some pics.