Help with friends frame ID
 

A few weeks ago I went on ride with a buddy and he showed me this frameset. He couldn't ID the frame and neither could I. Any help is appreciated and I can get more pictures if needed.

Thanks in advance.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b163514d74.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ef49568ee9.jpg



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https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0677a24c2a.jpg
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https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...13bab55f7a.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c4f5f25fdc.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0208fdd2d.jpeg
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Nice crisp work, very well put together but the builder didn't bother with signing his work, not even a serial number! One set or two sets WB bosses? Cinelli "CCM" BB shell and Campy shorty DOs with Portacanena holes, over top BB cable routing, shifter bosses. Gonna guess last years of the 70s, or more like first of the 80s. But no fork, huh? what about BB threading? Anything on the brake bridge? I like how the stays are "blended" into the DOs, very stylish! That and the tall point on the seat lug seems more "New World" (or even Japanese) than anywhere in Europe, just a "vibe"

unworthy1 More pics added

Looks familiar. Early 80s Specialized Allez?

Circa 1980 American would be my guess as well. Nicely made but not OTT. I like it.

Everything about this frame points to a decent American builder making it sometime in the early to mid 80's. It is nicely made with Henry James lugs that were almost never used outside of the US and Canada. The quality eliminates most first time or occasional amateur builders. Not having a serial number eliminates the bigger American custom builders like Serotta or Waterford or Davidson that at one time used Henry James lugs. Hank didn't put points on the back of the head tube lugs until a few years after he starting offering them for sale in the late 70's. The greatest indicator of who might have made it is the seat stay to seat lug treatment. That is a common style but most frame builders show their distinction in how they do that connection.

Thanks for those, still no clue to me but it still does look really nice in an understated way! I think a Specialized product would have a serial number and maybe NOT any Cinelli frame bits (but gotta say I'm no expert on that). There IS something in it that's reminiscent of what Specialized did BITD: "California design" and "Japanese craftsmanship". Waiting for some expert input like MauriceMoss and T-Mar but nice to see theres a fork with a crown that does not help me ID plus ditto the brake bridge, and it does have 2 WB boss sets which along with other frame features makes it just a little odd for the suspected early 80s timeframe and so more likely a custom build, IMO.
EDIT: Thanks to Doug ^^ for those expert insights, I think he's right on, as usual!!! :thumb:

Back to the chase: what does the fork steerer tell us, any markings or rifling in the base? And what about threading (BB and fork) and seatpost size?