Pepita Special?
 

Does this look like one of those elusive Crescent Pepita Specials? It looks like it might be to me. No pie plate on the rear, no chrome on the fork crown, and the withered old leather saddle are clues to me. What do you think? If it is I think I'll pick it up and fix it. Thanks!

http://images.craigslist.org/0115020...92c10063cc.jpg

Well, it LOOKS like a pepita, and is certainly that or one of the other variations of the Crescent. Almost all were good Reynolds 531 tubing frames with varying components mixes. There are a few lower end models around, too, that look similar from a distance. Tig welded and pretty heavy. Look for the Reynolds sticker (or where it used to be) and the dropouts (should be campy). Components may be campy also (if it is the higher end model pepita special). Pedal "toe" overlap with the front wheel is famously "close" in these models, so be careful when turning sharp at slow speed!

thanks for the reply! i'll look for those clues.

PS - Would these have had 27 or 700c wheels?

If the rims are tubular, 700c for sure. If clincher, could be either, but probably 700c. By the way, my pepita has french threads on the bottom bracket (35X1), so be aware of that.