A stunning mystery bike on San Fran CL
#1
framebuilder
Thread Starter
A stunning mystery bike on San Fran CL
This beautiful bike was posted on the Classic Rendezvous list. The filing on this no name frame is exquisite! Whoever made it probably back in the late 70's did a remarkable job. The lugs are beautifully shaped and immaculately thinned. The fillet brazed fastback style was extremely well done. I'm surprised this bicycle for $795 wasn't sold in the 1st 10 minutes it was posted. Whoever the builder was is absolutely top tier. The frame alone is worth twice the asking price. As a fussy frame builder, I am really impressed with it.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...316855351.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...316855351.html
#2
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,819
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista Vitus 979
Liked 6,875 Times
in
3,930 Posts
Pics for Posterity
__________________
Likes For cb400bill:
#4
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,856
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Liked 3,460 Times
in
1,964 Posts
Bruce Gordon?
#5
two wheels only
It is a tad too small for me, thank goodness! The joinery reminds me of Tom Ritchey's work like this head lug from an Annapurna. I've heard these called "faux lugs" and assumed that it was fillet brazing filed to resemble lugs. Regardless, that is one beautiful bike and a great buy!
#7
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,583
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Liked 4,518 Times
in
2,133 Posts
Reminds me a LOT of this cluster that [MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] posted potentially as a Roberts: https://www.bikeforums.net/18154714-post24.html
-Kurt
-Kurt
#8
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 18,446
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 12,361 Times
in
6,324 Posts
I saw that one. The size is just about right for me (well, the TT is a little short), and it's beautiful, but I don't have $800 to spend and the Mrs. would have me committed if I bought any more bikes. I briefly - VERY briefly - toyed with the idea of it as an Eroica machine, but then realized I don't really want to do the Eroica anyway.
I THINK that the lugs have just been carefully filed, which really is a beautiful look. They look more fluid and blend into the tubes so much more attractively.
I THINK that the lugs have just been carefully filed, which really is a beautiful look. They look more fluid and blend into the tubes so much more attractively.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#9
Dedicated Detritus Dodger
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Fairfax, California
Posts: 472
Bikes: Some mighty fine ones at that!
Liked 611 Times
in
249 Posts
I reached out to this seller and have not heard back. This was a few days ago. Just a couple questions about the frameset; serial numbers? any markings or imprints?
Craigslist hijinks?? Who knows.
Craigslist hijinks?? Who knows.
#11
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 7,135
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Liked 3,374 Times
in
2,115 Posts
Likes For jdawginsc:
#12
Folks on the CR list (which is also where I saw this and then copied the CL link to "Looking for one of these?" thread) had speculated it was an Early Ritchey and then further speculations were maybe a "Palo Alto" model that Ritchey made for sale in that shop (on University in PA) and they were also sold at a shop in Los Altos.
Another thought was it may have been made by a Ritchey contemporary who was also a legendary builder with skills that rivaled (some might say even exceeded) TR's: namely Peter Johnson.(or correction: MICHAEL Johnson?)
I have no idea but yeah it's a surprise this hasn't been snapped up already but it sure WILL be!
Another thought was it may have been made by a Ritchey contemporary who was also a legendary builder with skills that rivaled (some might say even exceeded) TR's: namely Peter Johnson.(or correction: MICHAEL Johnson?)
I have no idea but yeah it's a surprise this hasn't been snapped up already but it sure WILL be!
Last edited by unworthy1; 05-12-21 at 10:40 AM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,998
Bikes: old ones
Liked 10,449 Times
in
7,248 Posts
One offs like this can be hard to ID without provenance. Kind of discouraging if it hasn't already sold at that price.
Likes For 3alarmer:
Likes For Roger M:
#15
Senior Member
^^^^ Seat post binder is a little different. Does yours have the upward point at the front-center of the seatpost end of the seat lug?
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,730
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Likes: 0
Liked 1,803 Times
in
965 Posts
Reminds me a LOT of this cluster that [MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] posted potentially as a Roberts: https://www.bikeforums.net/18154714-post24.html
-Kurt
-Kurt
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,786
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Liked 2,761 Times
in
1,281 Posts
Talked to the seller. He purchased at an estate sale. Peter Johnson and Roberts came as a possible, but he had no one to ask. Says the bb has no number.
Last edited by curbtender; 05-12-21 at 10:45 AM.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 10,029
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Liked 3,013 Times
in
1,631 Posts
fairly local and tempting, but am saving pennies for a custom
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,265
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,570 Times
in
3,772 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#21
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,583
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Liked 4,518 Times
in
2,133 Posts
#23
Senior Member
No number certainly kills the clues.
of course once one buys it, drop the fork hoping for a number and remove the bottom bracket hoping for some identification in there.
small chance in seat tube-
nice bike, too big for me.
of course once one buys it, drop the fork hoping for a number and remove the bottom bracket hoping for some identification in there.
small chance in seat tube-
nice bike, too big for me.
#25
Full Member
Hmm...
I think gravelinmygears is asking for an individual near this bicycle to help them purchase and ship it to Abq. They値l also include a payment for the willing individual.
I think gravelinmygears is asking for an individual near this bicycle to help them purchase and ship it to Abq. They値l also include a payment for the willing individual.
Likes For SoccerBallXan: