I love my 87 Bridgestone 550, triple butted CroMo frame, not sure how it fares up against Columbus Steel, but I would throw that into the mix, Bridgestones of that era were pretty nice....and sometimes can be found at a deal price.

Was Mike building frames in 1987?

Dura Ace 74xx SCREAMS Merckx to me...Serotta is another contender.

He can build you most any frame you would like BQ gave him rave reviews.

I get that; Mike is a talented builder.

My understanding from reading this thread is that the OP is looking for a 1987 frame (for sentimental reasons) that he can purchase to go with a D-A 74xx component group he has. He asked for names of American custom builders whose 1987 frames he should be looking for.

In fact, I unintentionally included a builder in my list who wasn't building frames in 1987. Curt Goodrich started in 1995, so there won't be any 1987 Goodrich frames around.

Mike Appel was also building at this time. Mine is stamped 1.1.88 so quite possibly built in '87. Best riding steel race frame I've ever been on.

A few other great American frame builders from this time were David Tesch, Peter Mooney, and John Slawta.

For that matter, was Curt Goodrich?

Didn't think he was that old. Thought he apprenticed in 1995.

Edit. Never mind.

Please add Chris Kvale to this list though.

If we're talking American builders I think it might be hard to pin point the year down (unless buying from the original owner).

Some other folks that were making frames then - Bilenky (under Sterling label) and Franklin Frames (one member here has a beauty from them) come to mind. I'm not sure if Redcay was still building by that point or not, but I really like his stuff a lot.

Serotta with DA 7400 - classic in my mind, and Serotta are often available at reasonable numbers.

Forgot about Bill Davisdon. Another excellent American builder.

My rankings for steel 1987, onto which a DA 7400 group to put:
Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra
Panasonic DX6000
Schwinn Paramount - tie - Centurion Ironman

The Merckx and the Paramount are the prettiest, the Ironman only came in two-tones, the DX in a fade, I think.
If I recall, there is a pretty awesome Nishiki of that year, as well.

If you find the right wheels, also a Kestrel but it's not steel.

There are others. I simply know these models. Fuji and Miyata, I'm sure, had offerings right there. Others beg Campagnolo for that era.

Finding a specific year in your size will probably be hard from smaller builders. Especially if deciphering seriel numbers is difficult.

Chris K. had the name of the original owner on the bottom bracket shell.

Contact Chris if needed to determine date.

I can give give you a pretty thorough rundown on the notable Canadian marques with high end frames in 1987:

Bertrand
CBS
Cramerotti
Cyclops
Gardin
Gianella
Limongi
Marinoni
Mariposa
Miele
Proctor (Townsend)
Steve Bauer
Velosport

I previously mentioned Marinoni back in post #9 . He is probably the best known of the Canadian builders and his frames probably also have the best availability.

Having said that, I know where there is a 1987 Betrand SLX for sale, though it's rough cosmetically. What size frame do you require?

(81)

Well, ideally I'd want something high end and Japanese, like a Zunow or 3Rensho. Of course it might be a very long search, and an expensive one. A top end Panasonic or Miyata would be much more realistic on both dimensions.

What size do you ride?

1987 was Dave Moulton's 30th year building frames. Get yourself a 1987 Fuso.

this!

Dave Moulton completely slipped my mind.

Yes!!!

I'm just starting to read up on Vitus, and they look fantastic! Which models should I be looking for?

The 979 is undoubtedly the most iconic. A great, lightweight, all-around bike--though not at all stiff. Know that it is an aluminum frame if that makes a difference to you. It went through minor variations but basically stayed the same from 1979 into the late 80s. They made tens of thousands of them and can be found pretty easily with patience. If you find a Vitus, a careful inspection would be in order, since the tubes are glued/epoxied together and have been known to separate--though the number of such incidents is low enough not to scare you away from the model.

They also made several very nice carbon frames with alum lugs and carbon tubes. The models were numbered something like Carbone 3, 7, 9. I think the Carbon 3 came out around 1985 and the Carbonne 9 around 1987. Forum member Chombi has a beautiful Vitus Carbonne and would likely know.

T-mar, thanks a bunch for your input! I ride a 54 C-T.

FWIW, I've been chasing a Carbone 3 for years. I keep telling the owner he needs a new carbon bike to go fast, but he's not buying it. If I do persuade him it will be built up with 7400; the crank has been hanging on the wall of the barn for almost a decade.

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IIRC, the Betrand is 54cm c-t-c, so maybe 1cm bigger than optimal.

I currently ride a 56 C-T that is only a smidge too big. I think that the Bertrand could fit me very well. Should I have a look at it?