1961 MASI 'Special' REPLICA

Back in 2004, thanks to a fortuitous find at a rummage sale by his brother Stephen, Richard Bryne (designer of the simple yet brilliant Speedplay pedal system ) came into possession of a 1961 Masi Special, built by Italian framebuilding legend Faliero Masi.

After consulting with San Diego's Rob Roberson, a former Masi USA framebuilder and master painter and restoration specialist Joe Bell, the decision was made not to restore the Masi to its former glory, but replicate the original in as much detail as possible.

According to Richard: “These guys were thrilled to see the bicycle and were able to tell me that it was, in fact, one of the oldest Masi road bicycles in the US. They also told me that it would be an act considered "sacrilege" to alter the finish of the bicycle from its original condition and refused to take part in its restoration. Subsequently, the decision was made to leave the Masi “as is” to preserve the craftsmanship and artistry of a master builder like Faliero Masi.”

So, the trio set about the task of replicating the original Masi down to the finest detail; scouring dusty back shelves, collectors' hoards and all corners of the internet to bring together the 'period correct' components needed to complete the project.

Roberson's brief was replicating as closely as possible the original frame. If framebuilding is your thing, this is perhaps the most fascinating part of the project. Except for a few instances, the construction methods used in the 'clone' are much as would be employed in the original. Roberson builds using in-house tooling in much the same way Masi (and others) would have gone about the task before today's array of labor-saving devices and materials began appearing in the mid-70's.

Roberson's job was made all the more difficult given the lack of availability of pressed steel lugs made in the design of original Masi examples. This didn't deter Roberson and he duly went about creating a one-off set of lugs, using the Masi originals as a template.

The photo-documentary of the build process is a masterpiece in itself in that it shows how frames were made, using tooling that would be considered 'not up to the task' by many of today's builders. There are no micrometer-perfect surface tables or digital-readout protractors involved in the operation – only experience, ingenuity and common sense.

The end product is an example of true craftsmanship.

The replica bike is almost indistinguishable from the original; from its shorelines to the superb Joe Bell paintwork. Roberson and Bell's exquisite handiwork is proof - if proof were needed - that frame building (like so many othe skills and crafts) is not about the tools; it's about the hands, eyes and brain guiding them.

Roberson's methods will no doubt provide inspiration for those who delight in making their own tooling and serves as a timely reminder (just like Bryne's Speedplay pedal design) that sometimes, keeping things simple produces superior results.