I think if your frame is "Aelle" tubing it would also be no earlier than '78. 1977 is when Columbus changed/split up and I believe "Aelle" was introduced just after that period ('78-'80). I think your frame should at least have the world championship decals for 1976 (track pursuit) and 1977 (road); both decals located on the seat tube one above the MOSER decal and one below. I know later bikes (at least by 84/85) have 2 of the world championship decals (identical) with the location (San Cristobal); decals are located in the same locations as the earlier world championship decals. On ebay I saw an early set of decals with the "head" headbadge and it had 2 world championship decals with 1978 as the year Moser won (both road and presumably track). He did not win a world championship in that year; but he was awarded the "Pernod" trophy for most points in the 1978 season so I don't know if the decal manufacturer got confused while printing those decals, they are incorrect per the official cycling records. I think my may "Aelle" frame may even be earlier than 84/85; there is a catalog which has been identified as 1981-1983 (I don't know if it is accurate), which has my very same frame (decals match as best as I can tell, not great detail in catalog photo), and those bikes in that catalog all have the "MOSER" headbadge in vertical letters. That may at least narrow down the years a bit to pre-'81, or at least pre-'83; now you should be in the '79-'80, or '79-82 ballpark. My "Aelle" frame has the San Cristobal world championship decals and not the earlier '76 & '77 decals. Also, checked my seat tube for that frame and it is 26.8mm; and the BB shell has the "FM" cut-out. Aside from seat tube and decals, the BB cut-out might be another year indicator or tube set indicator; I don't know. I have been told that Moser did not produce bikes in '77 or '78; the bikes he rode were De Rosas. That is from another source; I have already been told about a 1978 Moser that sports their motif and no De Rosa insignia. That is all I have. Good luck.I don't just came across a picture of a identical frame, the frame is fully chromed then a blue paint sprayed over the top but sadly for some reason the original decals were never sealed with a coat of lacquer so some were completely missing like the tubing decal others like the head tube I could see the remains of Francesco Mosers face and while lifting the frame some ended up stuck on my hand I would like to replace the decals to spruce it up but identifying the tubing is the tricky part but if the key is the seat tube size that is helpful.
Hi Jim,We had a good relationship with the agents who imported Moser fames in the late 70s/early 80s so got quite a few of the top range which were quite obviously De Rosas. Some had FM BB shells and some looked to me as if they were pro team quality rejects - poor tracking with filed dropouts. For one season I rode a perfect SL tubed frame which was fully chromed with a blue lacquer finish. Weeks after I bought it another arrived in our shop which I really wanted but couldn't justify having two, similar finish but the head badge was an engraved version of the 'head'.
I also gained an autographed poster of the great man which spent some years on display in my house. Unfortunately time and sunlight have faded the signature to invisibility.