More pics out in the sunlight.

Seat tube decal:



BB shell cleaned up:



Rear triangle:



Seat lug:



Brake bridge reinforcement:



Driveside rear dropout:



Non-driveside rear dropout:



Interestingly, the dropout screws are slotted at the outboard ends, too. I wonder if they were designed that way or simply modified later?

Every time I look closely, I marvel at the thinning that went into every lug - and the BB shell, too. I have to say it: everything I ever heard about the workmanship quality of Masis is borne out here. It is simply very, very nicely made. I note a couple pinholes in the brazing at the ends of the seat/chainstays, but that's it. A beautifully made frame.

DD

Swoon!

BTW, what does "M57" mean? I think it's been stamped on every single Masi BB shell I've ever seen.

This has no other markings other than that. No Columbus dove on the fork steerer tube, either.

DD

Very nice, the BB shell has no dust shield. Does it spin ok?

It did have a dust shield, but was split in half and fell into two pieces when I removed it!

Bearing surfaces are perfect - wear pattern is present, of course (PO guessed his miles since '69 as 20,000), but there is zero pitting. Like butter

DD

"M-57" Masi and the frame size? Mario and his birth year? Secret code? I have no idea, obviously. That is just a super looking frame D.D.

I can't believe how rich that paint is looking. What have you used on it so far?

I wonder if it would make sense to clear coat the headbadge to stabilize the remaining paint, or would that be a no-no?

Nice bike, about the slots on the outboard end of the dropout screw, I believe that is standard on at least campi dropout screws as I've lost the ends to the screws on my Condor and they are also slotted

Been following this thread all-the-way through, and I can really sense your excitement with this Masi. I'll tell you, it's contagious, because you have me excited for you!

You have a real classic beauty on your hands, to go along with all of your others. I have no doubt that this bike came into the right hands and will look just great in your stable. Good luck in DC!

Isn't it? Amazing! All I've used is some Scratch-X buffing wax; removed most of the light surface rust using that, plus a scuff here and there that didn't go through the paint layers. However, that was only here and there - the luster on the other areas of the frame was already there before I played with the wax.

I'm respectfully going to leave the headbadge as-is - even in regards to trying to preserve it. I just don't want to mess it up with anything, including a preservative. I had thought of matching the paint colors and touching it up, but declined.

Sometimes I feel like a Grand Master painting restorer on this frame. One wrong move...

Rest assured, I'm taking my sweet time, and leaving things alone as and where I can.

DD

Thanks for that feedback - I only have one other bike with long dropout screws and didn't think to remove the ends to check

DD

I figure living vicariously through other people's bikes works both ways (for a recent example, that beautiful Palleti restoration). I'm happy to do my part

The PO shot me an email the other day echoing your second-last remark above; that made me feel pretty good. But I will risk riding her - as he'd want me to, anyway. There are some things one just has to do, right?

DD

It's been HOT, but I don't let that stop me (just slow me down ). Mostly riding on the circuit in Parc Maisonneuve, near that godawful expensive Olympic Stadium of ours, which suits me well - no stop signs, no lights, no cars, and nowhere near the typically atrocious pothole-scarred road surface one encounters most places in the city here. I find the the full Columbus SP frame on the Marinoni (perhaps in combination with the Ambrosio Elite rims?) really lets me feel all of that, so the clean asphalt is especially welcome. Do get out on the streets, too, though - just went for a couple of hours with my Dad (visiting) last week, up along the north edge of the island, and I'll be rolling downtown pretty soon (to look at a Gardin frame, another Canadian bike that caught my eye). Just got a book on bike touring in Quebec, so hopefully be getting some distance in the country soon enough...

Sounds like a good break from the grind (a fantastic break, actually) camping out on SJ and riding the Mondia!

It might be built with 531.

M for Masi, 57 for the size, CTT.

[QUOTE=Drillium Dude;14474624]More pics out in the sunlight.

Seat tube decal:



SCHWING !

So nice.

I'd love to ride one some day and perhaps I'll get to own one.

.....and when I do I certainly know who I'll call to build it up for me.

Perv.

I took one step closer to getting her 100% period correct tonight. I've been watching this '68 NR rear for 7 days now, and not one person bid but me. Why? I dunno, but I remember when these things were going for big money. But, hey, I'll clean this up a bit, replace the cracked pulley with a spare and - presto! - I'm good to go.

The '68 that came on the bike was modified - sorry, I've yet to clean it up well enough for pictures to convey the modifications well - and one thing that was irretrievably modified was the lower spring collar: cut down to half its normal dimension. Well, that part of course is the main piece that distinguishes the earliest NR RDs (grub screw holder brazed onto the collar). Sigh...

Sorted

More pics this weekend - the '78 Colnago Super project is finished, as (nearly) are a couple drillium/repair projects, so there will be time now.

A couple photos follow.

'68 NR:



Same/same:



One more:



I could possibly get a PC NOS set of Universal 68s if I felt like staying up until 3am...

DD

Or felt like sniping them. I know it's exciting to pull the trigger in the heat of the moment, but 3am...

EDIT: I can't help but note that I'm making this point on BF at 2:11am Eastern

I just couldn't make myself stay up that late - more's the pity, as they only went for about $130. Well, I'll just go Campy NR for the brakes for the time being.

As for Ebay sniping, pulling the trigger at the last second is what it's all about to me

DD

More news

Again, only bidder and picked these up for $88, shipped:







Very much cleaner than the 151bcd arms I got with the bike - and for those of you who don't recognize "The Green Towel", these are from a very reputable seller I've dealt with ever since first getting on Ebay: sultanofschwag. I swear, he never seems to run out of interesting stuff

Now I'm looking for rings - and might have found some right here on C&V - and a Regina chain. I might have a line on a PC wheelset locally, and I should know something by the weekend regarding that.

Seatpost is cleaned up as are the seat rails, so all that really remains is to clean up/polish the 3ttt Record stem (non-anodized, so that makes things much easier) and mount the Campy NR brakes in lieu of the Universal 68s.

DD

I'll give you a modified 43T 151 conversion ring to use. I'm curious if they will hold up well and know you will ride it.

Otis, that would be great - thank you! I'll be the Guinea Pig

The PO supplied the old crankarm with a Campay 52t that is pretty worn, but not quite used up yet. Those would work together until I can source the real deals with many miles left on them

So, now it's just a matter of getting the chain/freewheel and brakes on this rig. I really hope this wheelset deal comes off!

DD

I got the chainring from Otis (thank you!) on Saturday when I stopped over to visit Alex Moll before he and his family headed off for a couple weeks in France. I got to see his newly-acquired Italian project frameset - and some nicely-milled components also courtesy of Otis.

Today, I got the replacement 1968 Nuovo Record rear derailleur. The first one - the one that came with the bike - had seen some modification by the PO, and the worst of it was the fact he'd cut down the spring collar to about half its original dimension. As that is the most characteristic part of the '68 NR, I had to find another somewhere. I got this from Ebay for a very attractive price. Its condition is pretty good, but not so good that it will look out of place on the frame, which of course is well-used.

Pretty clean for a 44 year-old derailleur:



Close-up of brazed-on grub screw retainer:



I will be picking up the tubular Fiamme/Campy Record high-flange/Regina 5-speed wheelset next Friday. I hope to have the 3ttt Record stem cleaned up by the end of the weekend, and should be in receipt of the Everest Oro chain I got on Ebay in a few days, too.

I am still looking for Campy 151bcd rings, however. I have a pair of Sugino rings, but they are 50 and 47 teeth, which are just too small (the 50) and I'm not a half-step guy (the 47).

Can anyone help with 51/52 and 44 151bcd Campy rings?

DD

Very nice score on the Campy RD, it looks to be in great condition. This is going to be one nice bike amongst the great ones you already have. The wheelset should set things off in that department, have you decided on the tyres to use? Hope you can find those 151bcd rings you need, I'll keep my eyes peeled for some.

Bill