Masi Faema by Giuseppe Pela

[zidortri]

Hi there,

Here is my latest project: restoring a frame built by Giuseppe Pela with a Faema livery.

That's the frame as I got it...

 

[zidortri]

And that's the target...

 

[dan73uk]

Re:

That will be wonderful when finished. I've looked at buying a Pela made frame before but have always been uncertain on the identity and was unsure on what features to look for that make a frame a Pela frame. Please keep us updated on your efforts.

 

[dan73uk]

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I've also seen the fork crown feature "a dot in the middle of the horizontal cutout" on beautiful frames made by Galmozzi.

 

[zidortri]

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Thanks Dan!

I have to admit I am not 100% convinced that the dot in the middle of the horizontal cutout is a Pelà specific feature...

It seemed to be fairly standard on Masi bike in the 60s and not all were built by Pelà.

As for the Faema team bikes they are often displayed with the Fischer slotted crown fork - though seemingly this crown fork only appeared around 1972.

 

[zidortri]

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This one

 

[zidortri]

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Update on this restoration process.
Paint has been been shot blasted where there was no chrome underneath and stripped off through manual sanding close to the chromed areas - headtube and lugs, fork blades.
The objective being to keep the existing chrome. Fork blades will be painted but head tube lugs will remain chromed.
The frame and fork are in a very healthy state, no rust nor crack in sight.

 

[cloonaghpat]

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God that is a pretty frame

 

[Woz]

Bliss. The frame and the workshop bed.

 

[zidortri]

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Thanks guys for your appreciative comments

What's remarkable with that frame is that although it dates back from the late '60s or very early '70s it has all the brazed parts that would give the frame a smoother look and make gear shifting more reliable... and protect the down-tube from over tightened clamps. That was quite uncommon at the time.

I guess it' s fair to say that Signore Pelà was not only a great frame builder with a perfect understanding of a rider's specific needs and a unique ability to translate this into the geometry of the frame, but also sported an innovative mind... in addition to a strong sense of esthetic.

As for the workshop restoring this frame, not only the work bed is nice but also the guys working around it are pretty skilled...