Unknown forks
12-22-20, 09:25 AM
#1
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
Thread Starter
Unknown forks
I have been digging through old parts trying to build up a "frankenbike" parts project and came across a couple of forks I need help ID'ing.
One is an early Moser fork without any marks other than the crown lug "trident/MOSER" and on the steerer tube "4" "70". Essentially a flat crown lug with recessed brake mounting, unbranded forged dropouts with very good finish work on the fork end/dropout conjunctions, but horrible work at the crown/fork blade conjuctions; although alignment is proper. Excellent paintwork. I am trying to determine what year(s) and possibly model(s) this fork may have been used on. I don't believe Moser was having frames made with his name before 1977. I have a 1985 "Aelle" model frameset (Columbus "AELLE" tubing) that has a stylized "F MOSER" in the crown lug quite different from this example. I would expect it to be more '70s than '80s; and it is not from the cheap French frames using Francesco Moser's name on some "hi-ten" steel frames circa late '70s-early '80s. No reinforcing "splines" in the steerer tube; Italian threaded.
The second fork is of unknown branding other than the "SW" on the fork crown. Chromed semi-sloped crown with recessed brake mounting, heart cutouts in tangs, and Campagnolo chromed dropouts; original blue paint stripped off. This fork is much lighter than the Moser fork, and is clearly stamped with the Columbus logo and has the reinforced steerer tube design; Italian threaded. I believe the blade tubes are lightweight Columbus due to overall weight differential, but no stamps on blades. All work on this fork is very clean and professionally done.
The third fork is unknown except for the "G" on the crown. Newest of the three (late '80s-'90s?). I am not sure as to actual threading.
So I need the approximate years of use/model for early Moser "trident" logo, and company names corresponding to the other two forks.
If anyone knows information about these forks I appreciate it.
Be safe during the holidays!
Howard
"SW" and Moser
Moser
"SW" and Moser
"SW"
"SW"
"G"
One is an early Moser fork without any marks other than the crown lug "trident/MOSER" and on the steerer tube "4" "70". Essentially a flat crown lug with recessed brake mounting, unbranded forged dropouts with very good finish work on the fork end/dropout conjunctions, but horrible work at the crown/fork blade conjuctions; although alignment is proper. Excellent paintwork. I am trying to determine what year(s) and possibly model(s) this fork may have been used on. I don't believe Moser was having frames made with his name before 1977. I have a 1985 "Aelle" model frameset (Columbus "AELLE" tubing) that has a stylized "F MOSER" in the crown lug quite different from this example. I would expect it to be more '70s than '80s; and it is not from the cheap French frames using Francesco Moser's name on some "hi-ten" steel frames circa late '70s-early '80s. No reinforcing "splines" in the steerer tube; Italian threaded.
The second fork is of unknown branding other than the "SW" on the fork crown. Chromed semi-sloped crown with recessed brake mounting, heart cutouts in tangs, and Campagnolo chromed dropouts; original blue paint stripped off. This fork is much lighter than the Moser fork, and is clearly stamped with the Columbus logo and has the reinforced steerer tube design; Italian threaded. I believe the blade tubes are lightweight Columbus due to overall weight differential, but no stamps on blades. All work on this fork is very clean and professionally done.
The third fork is unknown except for the "G" on the crown. Newest of the three (late '80s-'90s?). I am not sure as to actual threading.
So I need the approximate years of use/model for early Moser "trident" logo, and company names corresponding to the other two forks.
If anyone knows information about these forks I appreciate it.
Be safe during the holidays!
Howard
"SW" and Moser
Moser
"SW" and Moser
"SW"
"SW"
"G"
12-22-20, 10:14 AM
#2
Senior Member
I have seen that G before but it’s escaping me right now! Foggy days while I recover.
12-22-20, 12:51 PM
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I agree it's a Giordana and this is most likely a Billato contractor-built fork, the Cromor blades notwithstanding I'm sure of good quality, The other 2 I have no guesses for except they both seem to use the same crown (if not Cinelli then could be a GPM model that was nearly the same) however that Moser looks like a bad fitting of blades to crown!
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12-22-20, 06:04 PM
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The 'Moser' with the trident is Cicli Moser started in 1933. Not Francesco Moser... his bikes were available 79 and on.
12-22-20, 06:21 PM
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Pic with the trident is from steel vintage. According to them is a 1978. Its hard to tell, but the fork crown on yours looks earlier.
the other pic is the fork crown on a 1980 Francesco Moser.
the other pic is the fork crown on a 1980 Francesco Moser.
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12-22-20, 08:27 PM
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As uncleivan mentioned, the 'trident' Moser brand is that of a shop in Trento, founded by Ermanno Moser in 1933 and run by the family for 82 years (Ermanno's son Flavio taking over from his father). It was eventually transferred to a couple of people outside of the family (Michele & Daniela Casatta) in 2015 and it's still in business.
The "SW" panto on the third fork is something I've only seen a couple of times, both attributed to the Wolfgang Steinmayr brand (started by a well known Austrian racer from bitd). I've seen a number of Steinmayr frames and several definitely looked like Italian contract builds, so it does not surprise me that this fork is Italian made. I'm not sure who the Italian contractor(s) might have been.
The heart cutout on the reinforcement tang (I assume that's on the 'SW' fork) is something that Gino Milani (of Verona) used to do a lot, so perhaps that might be something to explore.
The "SW" panto on the third fork is something I've only seen a couple of times, both attributed to the Wolfgang Steinmayr brand (started by a well known Austrian racer from bitd). I've seen a number of Steinmayr frames and several definitely looked like Italian contract builds, so it does not surprise me that this fork is Italian made. I'm not sure who the Italian contractor(s) might have been.
The heart cutout on the reinforcement tang (I assume that's on the 'SW' fork) is something that Gino Milani (of Verona) used to do a lot, so perhaps that might be something to explore.
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12-23-20, 12:22 AM
#9
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
Thread Starter
QUOTE=SoccerBallXan;21843890]Giordana[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info, brand crossed my mind, but I am unfamiliar with it other than in name.
It amazed me how clean the work was at the dropouts, perfectly filled and finished; the crown was over filled and under filled,. Each point on the crown lug could be used as a bottle opener; kind of like a Greek chariot with blades protruding.
Thanks for the info, brand crossed my mind, but I am unfamiliar with it other than in name.
I agree it's a Giordana and this is most likely a Billato contractor-built fork, the Cromor blades notwithstanding I'm sure of good quality, The other 2 I have no guesses for except they both seem to use the same crown (if not Cinelli then could be a GPM model that was nearly the same) however that Moser looks like a bad fitting of blades to crown!
12-23-20, 04:02 AM
#11
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
Thread Starter
As uncleivan mentioned, the 'trident' Moser brand is that of a shop in Trento, founded by Ermanno Moser in 1933 and run by the family for 82 years (Ermanno's son Flavio taking over from his father). It was eventually transferred to a couple of people outside of the family (Michele & Daniela Casatta) in 2015 and it's still in business.
The "SW" panto on the third fork is something I've only seen a couple of times, both attributed to the Wolfgang Steinmayr brand (started by a well known Austrian racer from bitd). I've seen a number of Steinmayr frames and several definitely looked like Italian contract builds, so it does not surprise me that this fork is Italian made. I'm not sure who the Italian contractor(s) might have been.
The heart cutout on the reinforcement tang (I assume that's on the 'SW' fork) is something that Gino Milani (of Verona) used to do a lot, so perhaps that might be something to explore.
The "SW" panto on the third fork is something I've only seen a couple of times, both attributed to the Wolfgang Steinmayr brand (started by a well known Austrian racer from bitd). I've seen a number of Steinmayr frames and several definitely looked like Italian contract builds, so it does not surprise me that this fork is Italian made. I'm not sure who the Italian contractor(s) might have been.
The heart cutout on the reinforcement tang (I assume that's on the 'SW' fork) is something that Gino Milani (of Verona) used to do a lot, so perhaps that might be something to explore.
Persian. The Greeks were the ones getting run over.[/QUOTE]
Thinking of the one in the '50s Ben Hur movie (Messala's ride); I have no idea as to the historical accuracy other than it is not the type that would be used in actual chariot racing. Thanks for the correction.
Last edited by HPL; 12-24-20 at 02:52 AM.
12-23-20, 07:37 AM
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12-23-20, 10:56 AM
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Another detail: if the Steinmayr frame was also made in Italy then this is one of the few brands that used Reynolds 531 in "the Boot" and never seen that particular style of cable adjuster mount (for internal routing in the downtube) on any other frame from any country, seems a very distinctive clue)
12-23-20, 02:01 PM
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the pic of the SW frame from Steel Vintage is showing Guinticiclo lugs that I've only ever seen
on late 60s Masi Specials and one rare pic of Tommasinis first frame. a big clue as to who's
shop produced it
on late 60s Masi Specials and one rare pic of Tommasinis first frame. a big clue as to who's
shop produced it
