SpeedofLite 

History: According to the story I received, this frame was made by an independent builder in northern California in the early-mid 1980s. It was ridden for about 4 years during the 80s by the original owner before he gave it to his brother who just kept it in a barn until roughly 2009 when he gave it to me. I had the frame/fork inspected, prepped, and painted by the Assenmacher bike shop and never did anything with it afterward other than keeping it in a box. The original frame finish had a tattered Columbus tubing decal on it so a new one to best match the original was applied by the shop.
I'd like to receive estimates on fair pricing for this frame and fork. Feel free to ask questions or request additional pics.
Thanks much for your time. SoL

Frame/Fork Specs
ST=59cm c-c. TT= 58cm c-c.
ST angle and HT angle = ~73 degrees
HT length = 185mm
Wheel size: 700C.
O.L.D.: 122mm frame; 100mm fork.
Chainstay length = 415mm c-c.
Steerer length = 222mm
Weight: Frame = 4lbs 8oz (2kg); Fork = 1lb 9oz. (0.7kg)

juvela

-----

wonder if it could be a Lippy

do not know what may have been his practice with regard to serials

are you able to read the single character marking on the bottom bracket?



-----

SpeedofLite 

I think it's a "T".

juvela

-----

the only Norcal builder can think of with a T last name is Lou Tondu

of course it could be a first initial as well

...or it could be a form of serial indicating the twentieth frame constructed

wylde speculation -


-----


-----

jdawginsc 

The Assenmacher treatment should be a big bump no matter the builder. That is a beautiful frame!

L134 

I am curious as to what makes you think Lippy. Mine and the others I've seen have much finer lug work than this frame.

repechage

With a mystery builder- it is was my size I would want to get an idea as to the geometry
which would imply some kind of provisional spacing for the steerer and a profile image with some wheels- need not be locked in place but at the imaged angles shown, really hard to assess.

juvela

-----



yes indeed, no argument

it seemed clear it was not one of the better known NorCal makers such as Eisentraut, Litton or Mikkelsen so me "mind" went casting about for some less known names on a national scale

yes, the Lippy built frames have seen exhibit a greater degree of handwork

there were a number of NorCal makers who got into it at what might be termed a hobby or part time basis during the seventies and eighties who subsequently either lost interest or found a better way to earn a living

some of these included Richard Annin, Mike DaSilva, Jim Reddy, Brian Decker

[there are sure to be a number of others whose names am not recalling, or never knew]


-----

SpeedofLite 

Does this help? I hung a few of the parts that were on it when it was given to me.

Wildwood

I have purchased a fair number of framesets with quality tubes, usually pay $125 - $200. I go after them for their builders' reputation (Bianchi, Pinarello, Zeus, Holdsworth, AustroDiamler, Batavus, Rickert, etc). What would I pay for a repainted frame from unknown builder? = not sure, but not top dollar; but some people might love to resolve such a beautiful mystery. Seat tube inner diameter?, might help determine tubeset. Names on dropouts and forks ends?

My perfect size. Chainstays look longer than 41.5, but then I always measure to the most rearward axle position without adjusters installed. Probably the 'without tires' pic is confusing me.

Is there a 'before re-paint' picture?

Wildwood

@juvela - Mike DeSilva or Mike DeSalvo?

DeSalvo Custom Bicycles (desalvocycles.com)

juvela

-----

Mike DaSilva shared shop space in Oakland with Bernie Mikkelsen in roughly the late seventies and early eighties.

His Portuguese last name comes from Macau, IIRC.

He seemed to leave frame building in the early to mid eighties and took employment with the local water utility "EBMUD" where he did water test analysis. That is the latest word I have on him.

Estimate he would be in his mid seventies today.


-----

repechage

a wee bit, rear is all the way back, even considering the short slot, Long chainstays, the fork insertion… as the steerer is not parallel to the head tube… the wheelbase is probably 12-15 longer upfront than if it had a headset.

SpeedofLite 

ST inner diameter is 27.0 mm. Dropouts are Campy.
Man, I couldn't find those old pics when I first posted questions about this bike 10-12 years ago. I couldn't find that old post and those photos disappeared from my Albums and Photos page. However, I found them on a back-up exterior drive just now and uploaded all of them to the "MOTU's Black Columbus Frame" folder. Hopefully here: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/30855446
I still have all the parts in the same barn-find condition.

joesch

These buyer market prices are painful for quality frame sellers to read today.

RE: I had the frame/fork inspected, prepped, and painted by the Assenmacher bike shop and never did anything with it afterward other than keeping it in a box.
SpeedofLight what did this service cost you (back in that day)?

I have enjoyed reading these frame identify threads, especially of juvela knowledge memories.

SpeedofLite 

Yeah, I don't expect much. Obviously this frame wasn't a priority for me and it's more about freeing up space these days.
I can't find the records right now to confirm, but I seem to recall it was a few hundred dollars which seemed to be quite reasonable at the time, especially given the strong reputation of the shop.
Yeah, me too. In fact, I'm often blown away by the collective knowledge of Bike Forums, and never more so than when multiple members zero in on a problem and solve it.

joesch

If you dont sell the frame by November, I will be tempted to acquire when Im planning to visit my parents in your area.
I have a Bianchi which was ruined when a local guy did bad in attempt to unstuck the seatpost. Its ugly and I really just need to get another frame for this setup now. Its the same size or very close. Dont have the tools to transfer all the bits, maybe could make this part of the frame purchase deal. If I was there, this would not have happened but my Mom trusted this local bike mech.

Doug Fattic 

For the right person this would be a good bike that has a geometry that is difficult to find in a production frame (well before gravel bikes became popular). The 27.0 seat post size indicates the tubing is Columbus SP. That is appropriate for a large frame. According to my protractor the angles are 72º parallel. That allows for a more upright sitting position that will take pressure off of the rider's hands/arms. Of course measuring it for real is better than from a picture. In other words this is for a rider going out by themselves and not designed for group pace line work. It has a probable brake reach suitable for 47/57 brakes so fatter tires can be installed. Later frames tended to use shorter 39/49 brakes. The lug work is not bad. It isn't as refined as a top American builder but certainly better than average. If I was going to buy the materials to make a frame just like this, I would have to pay at least $400 (not including the paint). Matt Assenmacher is a very good builder/painter (also from Michigan) that recently retired. He learned at Bob Jackson in Leeds in the 70's a couple of years before I went to Ellis Briggs (both in Yorkshire).