Origin of a Frame?
 

Hello Everyone!

I recently picked up a bike where the owner didn’t know the origin of the frame they had in their possession. The bike was painted by Joe Bell here in San Diego back in 1988. I was hoping Joe had some records on the frame but no luck. I’ve attached some detailed photos in the hopes that there might be some distinguishable characteristics that someone would recognize. Also not sure if I'm saying this correctly but the top tub is "jetted" so the cable passes through. There are no hints of a serial number and if there was they've been painted over. Strangely the bike has Campy dropouts in the front and Shimano SE in the rear. I'm okay with my mysterious bike but there's a small part of me that wants to know what it is....

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

What's the BB and steering tube threading? What dropouts are on the bike? Knowing those could elimnate a lot of bikes from the list of what it could be..

Chombi

very handsome...I have no idea but can almost make out the threading on that Campy BB to have 24 tpi, but don't know whether it's Italian or BSC (I'd bet Italian, but...). The dropouts sure look like Campy, too....apparently they are Shimano...OK. The most unique bit is the FD tab, can't say I've seen that exact item before, and can't attach any brand to it. Surprised that JB doesn't have better records. Your brake cable is "internally routed" through the top tube.

Thank you for the proper naming convention on the tubing. :) The front drop out is Campy but the rear is Shimano. The BB is also Italian. Hope that helps. Thanks for tall the help.

The front derailleur tab looks like a Richard Sachs tab. I'd guess it might have been added on. The lugs don't look like any that he offers now.

that "hourglass" chainstay bridge is a standard Italian (probably Cinelli) bit...given the mix of frame components and style choices my guess at this point is "American".
Busdriver is right: that's a Richard Sachs FD tab.

I don't think Mr. Sachs specified and had his own produced way back in 1988. There were similar investment cast parts before though.

looks 1985 ish

It's actually super light. I don't know as it's all built up now. I'll weigh it when I get home.

It was painted in 88 so a year or a few before that makes perfect sense.