04-01-25 | 04:58 PM

#22604

curbtender

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 9,154

Likes: 5,335

From: SF Bay Area, East bay

Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/b...839075663.html

VINTAGE ITALIAN MYSTERY RACING BIKE!!! - $1,000 (all over)

‹image 1 of 6›

For sale TODAY ONLY:

This rare and desirable vintage (possibly) Italian racing bike! It's time for me to start to whittle down my extensive collection of vintage racing bikes, and regretfully I must let this one, the crown jewel, go. In all my years of ownership, nay, *stewardship*, of this steel steed, I have never been able to establish its exact manufacture. So whoever acquires this precious velo will also acquire a mystery, one which you may well devote years to solving, as have I. Interested? Read on!

Photo 1:

Look at the racing physique of this bike, the swooping rake of the fork, the insouciant tilt of the handlebars. Eat your heart out, Ugo!

Photo 2:

Closeup reveals the gorgeous patina of years of loving use...perhaps sweat from the immortal Merckxx or Hinault dripped and caused it. (Really, 'The Badger' had notoriously acidic perspiration.) Cables are secured with the traditional 'bande d'electricien.' Note how the shifters are cleverly placed on the *top tube* rather than the traditional downtube, the work of a innovative, visionary fabricator. All the more reason to think that this is a true thoroughbred. And the lack of a headbadge only heightens the mystery!

Photo 3:

The rear dropouts are works of art...note how carefully they are jammed into the stays and secured with a neat little dimple. The 'pie plate' of chromed steel prevents a careless shift from sending the chain into the spokes on a tough ascent--even the best riders can have a bad shift! (Right, Andy?) The maker of the rear derailleur is unknown, but the initials 'SIS' doubtless stand for 'Sylvestro I Stallone' or something equally Italian.

Photo 4:

The detail shot here shows the high-tech braking system of the bike, along with the uniquely textured tire, and a glimpse of the front wheel. These wheels are of chromed steel and weigh at least FIVE POUNDS EACH. It's a complete myth that you want a racing bike to be lightweight. Because this bike can go so fast, it needs these massive wheels to keep it tethered to the ground! And that super-smooth surface really aids in braking--on a wet day you can easily stop within a city block, as long as you're not going too fast. [No liability expressed or implied here.]

Photo 5:

The rear cluster shows the placement of the seatstays, which are held in place by what appears to be a dab of a high tech cement, possibly JB Weld or its Italian equivalent. Note that though this bike precedes the era of TIG welding, yet there appear to be NO LUGS! In fact it's a complete mystery what is holding the tubing together. What an exciting bike to ride!

'BMA/6' was evidently a racing association, devoted to new bike technology, Biciclettas....something something.

Photo 6:

And here we have the ultimate mystery of the bike, the seat tube decal obscured by the mists of time. You have to admit that the paint color and 'harlequin' graphic leave no doubt about the bike's Italian heritage. Traces of letters remain: an E and A are fairly certain, followed by an R and possibly a final S. Is it fair to point out that ALL THOSE LETTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THE NAME 'DE ROSA'???

But despite that tantalizing hint, we can't be sure of this bike's origin. All we can do is marvel at the survival of this priceless relic of a bygone age in cycling.

Not quite priceless though. I will take $1000.00.

(ps: to 'Tony' who responded previously: I could not possibly condone exchanging this bike for the material you offered in trade, which I believe to be some kind of narcotic or mind-altering substance. Nor was I 'on' any such material when I composed this ad. However, just our of curiosity, what kind of quantity could your 'friend' obtain? I might have a friend who would like to know.)

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