Pletscher Frame
 

I recently purchased a Pegasus road bike, pics and partial description in another thread. When I took the rear brake off, I found stamped on the brake mount plate, Esse on one side, and Lizenz Pletscher on the other. In English- Pat Pending, made in Germany. I have heard of Pletscher Racks, but did they make frames, or steel for frames?

Pletscher made plate brake bridges. I got that tidbit from Sheldon Brown.

The Pletscher plate brake bridge is designed to accommodate a Pletscher rack, as well as the brake caliper.

Would that indicate that this bike was intended to be a touring bike originally? No sign of a rack ever being on it. It also has a bracket welded on it to accomodate a kick stand

You are correct. A true racing frame would have neither the kickstand nor the rear rack accommodation, but these were quite common on lower-end 10-speeds.

Thanks for your help on this. I have completely stripped the frame, and it weighs 6#. I think I will put some lighter components on it and use it as a Sunday bike.

I am renovating an old Staiger that has a similar Pletscher brake bridge on the frame. It was a touring bike originally.