Pre-70s, no braze-ons whatsoever and I'd be afraid to ride it if it weren't already loved nearly to death

I guess you're right, though - it's not hugely different; I guess I figured the closest bike I have in age is five years in the future. Most of my bikes are of the early 80s, so this is really going back a ways.

Plus, this had a 151 BCD crank and Universal brakes as standard equipment when it was purchased (I was given the 151 crankset, but the brakes are long gone). Everything I own has 144s and Campy brakes - heck, everything I own is pretty much Campy through and through.

I'm putting this back just as it was back in '69, hopefully with some help from those here that know way more than I about the stuff from that time period. I know Campy from '72 or so, but am fuzzy any earlier than that.

I hope that clears up the confusion as to why - to me - this is a departure from the norm

DD

Yup!

Winner!!

Virtual 12-pack on its way to you my good man

DD

See - there you go; why are the headlugs cool? Are they different than normal Specials?

I have a lot to learn on this one...

DD

I will point out the the front derailleur is not original for starters.. the quest begins for all the parts... I did a 1971 and couldn't believe how hard it was to get stuff even from 1971 as there were many subtle changes in the early 1970s to cinelli and campy.

Full-Monty:





Again, as found. I will be tearing it down tomorrow and getting some basic clean-up done, and a good look-see into the BB shell, seat tube and fork steerer, etc.

Columbus tubing as noted by the rifling in the steerer. Other than that, I don't know Jack about the details. That's where the pros come in

I welcome any and all assistance as I piece her back to period-correctness. What a nice feeling, finally joining the Masi Owner's Club!

DD

Ah, yes, the wild guessing for me is over.

Agree with Aaron.

This certainly seems to be right up your alley, that's for sure.

This will keep you out of trouble.

How many projects can you keep in the air at the same time?

Ooh! I am glad you are taking on so many projects - very entertaining

Can someone explain to me the Paramount connection?

^ Paramounts = American/Masi = at one point made in America.

I did say that the connection was very, very thin

** Sorry my guessing game didn't seem to work out the way I planned; I guess next time I'll just post pics once whatever newest addition to the stable arrives

DD

Oh, one more - arrives Saturday

No guessing games on that one, as it fits perfectly into a mid-range-year slot!

DD

This is truly one of my ultra grail bikes. To complete my Masi collection. It is too small for me so my lust is partially dulled. I am sure others can do just as well but I can certainly fill you in on 60s Campy. NR showed up in '67. I think a '69 NR rear derailleur would be the plain "PATENT" with no date. There is more variation in front derailleurs in that time period than rear derailleurs. The '69 catalog shows the front derailleur with the cable stop integrated into the clamp. You don't really need the cable stop with the clamp on the bike now but I think that is all you could get in 69. You can get a clamp with a cable stop instead of a cable guide to work with the cable stop on the FD. I assume it had Universal 68s? They are not super hard to come by and aren't too pricey but you may have to look around for awhile. I picked up a NOS set for my '70 Windor Pro project and I don't think they were super expensive. The levers and hoods can be a bit harder to find than the calipers in my experience. Glad to offer any help I can. I am sure others more knowledgeable than me will correct anything I said wrong above

dd, are all your bikes race bikes?

beautiful find btw! i like the patina

Very cool! I would love to have an older race bike like this. The research and scavenger hunt to follow will be awesome. The only part I don't envy is paying for said parts, I will happily live this vicariously through you!

-Andy

Very cool - that's a "special" bike. Did the seller mention who was last using the bike? Looks like his kid may have used it for awhile (radial laced front wheel, aero levers, DP brakes, SPDs.) Luckily, he didn't have anything to Drew.

yes the front derailleur body will have more of a three sided triangle as opposed to the extra side on the one on the bike now. There will be no protrusion in the front of the aluminum body where the pivot stud is either. I think at least one of the arms will be chromed brass still in '69 if not both, and it goes without saying that there is no C-clip on the upper pivot to hold the arm on. There were also variations in the derailleurs which has the cable housing stop... if you do end up with one that does have it, it should be the slotted variety, the first ones did not have a slot. A local acquaintance of mine has a FD from about this period, but I think the condition is fair. I think it is also missing the clamp bolt, but that is easy enough to replace. I can look into it if you like. Send me a PM. But if you are going for a real full on resto this piece will not be up to snuff.

Thanks for the load of info already!

I have a spare FD body like the one described; I suppose I could get away with using the shifting fork on this and mating it to the body I have - there will be an engraved ring on the post where the c-clip would go, but what the hey?

RD is stamped "Patent" - but get this: it's also been drilliumed, and not by yours truly The owner and I were talking bikes and got 'round to talking about my little hobby - that's when he pointed out the oval milling on the back plate of the RD. While we're at it, he missed pointing out some other weight-saving mods he'd made to it; I'll take pics and share those tomorrow once I have the RD cleaned up. Small world, huh? What are the chances the second-ever owner is into drilling holes in stuff just like the first owner?

He also told me he'd run Universal 68s until a couple years ago when he scared himself silly braking on a downhill there on San Juan Island. He upgraded to the Veloces at that time. Alas, he did not have those brakes in the spares box - but, boy oh boy, did he have a load of other great spares! Again, pics tomorrow - geez, I really should be in bed - of all the extras he tossed in. I had to take it all, although I really didn't want to. I felt I was getting too much for my money, until he told me he'd either be giving them to me or tossing them in the trash.

Couldn't argue with that However, I still made him promise to give me his Paypal addy so that I could transfer a little extra to him for the unexpected large amount of spares. I was happy to see he did send that in an email once I'd gotten home; I transferred the amount I suggested while at his house and feel a lot better about the value-for-money total in the end.

Lots more info on this fun half-day to come. However, before I hit the hay, I want to give a shout-out to Epicus07; had it not been for his tipping me to the CL ad, I'd still be a Masi-less Colnago-hoarder. I'm still a Colnago-hoarder, but I'm no longer Masi-less - thanks to Eliot

Take a bow, dude!

Goodnight...

DD

Beauty D.D. Just one question ; isn't it a wee bit too small for you ? I mean, does this bike fit?
Not trying to interject the negative in here, that's such a cool bike, but, it looks a little smaller than your other rides.

No worries.

Kept my interest for the whole day, which is not so easy to do.

Such an interesting bicycle you have there.

I'll learn a lot in that thread.

Looks like you are going to need a display system at the house.

I love it DD, and, as Otis said, I dare say it might be even cooler than your other bikes. I guess I just think of you as Italian road bikes, and this is an Italian road bike.

Bamboo!

I know a guy with the correct FD. If, IF, he's willing to sell it, he won't let it go for cheap... but if you've got the money, he's got the part.

I surely would have guessed "Masi Special" instead of a Schwinn Chopper, if you had said at the start that it was perfectly in keeping with your tastes DD - (right down to the drillium I might add.)

Anyway, that is a really first-class Italian stallion for sure, DD.... Impressive. (-One change I'd have to make though, is to go with non-aero's: IMHO the chromed tube cable guides clash with those levers!)

Forgive my initial smart ass reply, please, DD. Nice bike and the period correct project sounds like an excellent way to take this one. Are you adding any of the DD special touch or is the period correct the major rule of this Masi? Looking forward to future updates and pictures as the build takes place. Congrats to you.

Bill

this one will clean up beautifully, can't wait to see what you do with it. nice find!

Oh, no worries - I wondered the same thing when I first saw it in person, but it measures out 56cm c-to-c. Seller listed it as a 57cm (probably because of the M57 stamp on the BB shell).

My Alpina and '73/'74 Super are both 56cm c-to-c - hey, for that matter, so is the Davidson They all fit fine, although I like a little longer stem on the 56s.

DD

Does anyone else sing "Chinese Rock" to themselves when they write DD?