1965 Masi Special

[Citoyen du monde]

I have owned this bike for a while now and have slowly been building it up. The steer tube of the fork is marked showing that the frame was built in 1965. When refound, the bike had been repainted multiple times and it carried Masi Gran Criterium decals as well as mostly newer components. It had apparently been handed down through many members of a Milanese cycling team with updates and replacements of the components. It is still a work in progress even if I have been riding it, including earlier this week.

 

[Citoyen du monde]

Here are some additional photos.

 

[Citoyen du monde]

and some more photos

 

[biggs682]

very nice colour scheme and bike

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

I really like that. My size too. It may just be me but, I think road bikes of around that size just look to have perfect proportions.

 

[toomski]

Thats a lovely bicycle - clean uncluttered no nonsense - quality - yes indeed. I'm enjoying looking at this. What is the ride like and what more will you be doing?

 

[Wilfried]

So nice !!! :shock: :shock:

 

[Midlife]

Nice

We used to paint the insides of the large flange hub cutouts in the early 1970's (as well as the chainrings). Did yours come painted ?

Shaun

 

[Citoyen du monde]

Thats a lovely bicycle - clean uncluttered no nonsense - quality - yes indeed. I'm enjoying looking at this. What is the ride like and what more will you be doing?

Thank you for all the comments. The bike rides quite nicely. Very neutral handling and very stable. Perhaps a bit too stable for my likings in a group but ideal for long rides. Because of this particular adeptness for long rides, I will likely change the tubulars to something with a bit greater air volume (i.e. fatter). It was only upon viewing the photos here that I have decided that I should change the rear derailleur cable housing to the stainless steel uncovered type (the white stands out too much). I will also likely look to add a double handlebar bottle cage (right now I have been riding with a bottle in my jersey pockets). I'm still debating as to whether I should also add a third top tube brake cable clip.

BTW, I am looking for a replacement handlebar clamping bolt for the Cinelli stem if anybody has any sources as the one fitted has a hex head that is unsightly (but fully functional)

 

[Citoyen du monde]

Nice

We used to paint the insides of the large flange hub cutouts in the early 1970's (as well as the chainrings). Did yours come painted ?

Shaun

The red paint in the hub cut-outs is at least 40 years old. I don't believe Campagnolo ever did this at the factory. I can't remember where I recovered these hubs, I believe they were off a Hugh Porter from the 60's that died an early death when the brazing of the BB came undone. When I first started working on the hubs they looked exceedingly bad with plenty of oxidation of the alloy, however with plenty of elbow grease, steel wool, polish and time, they came out very nice indeed.