Mystery Ti frame?

[nimbus]

Hi folks,

I bought this frame on ebay a few weeks' back. Seller described it as a 1990 Litespeed in 6/4 Ti, which is, I believe, an oxymoron. The decals, while tatty, don't look original - especially the one that says 'Asymmetric Chainstays' on dead straight tubes

Cable routing is top tube (3 cable stops on the side) and it has the 2 holes in the dropouts like other early Litespeed frames I've seen on here. Cantilever hanger is a curved band between the seatstays, not on the side of the seat tube like later frames. Strangely, the head tube is for 1 1/4" steerer forks. There are two bosses under the driveside chainstay that look like they might be for a brake of some sort?

Number 3924 is stamped on the right hand dropout, letter 'D' under the BB shell.

Can anyone tell me the year and model name of this frame? Also, there's no seatpost shim - anyone know what the ID of the seat tube should be? (OD is 31.8mm).

Thanks in advance.

 

[theboy]

it doesnt look good enough quality to be a Litespeed to me... and is there a crack in the seat tube?

 

[REKIBorter]

There are two bosses under the driveside chainstay that look like they might be for a brake of some sort?

They are for an anti chain suck plate

 

[nimbus]

it doesnt look good enough quality to be a Litespeed to me... and is there a crack in the seat tube?

Not a crack but a scratch inside the tube. Agree the welds look a bit untidy, but not dissimilar to other old Litespeeds, e.g.:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10732

They are for an anti chain suck plate

Fair enough.

I also emailed Litespeed via their website, but got a 'recipient unknown' message in return.

 

[cchris2lou]

My litespeed as also letters stamped underneath the bottom bracket .

 

[hamster]

My 1996 road Litespeed has frame numbers under the BB Doesn't seem right to have them under the gear hanger. Also I think 6/4 only came in around 1999 - and on the very top road stuff.

 

[nimbus]

Also I think 6/4 only came in around 1999 - and on the very top road stuff.

1994 catalogue lists 6/4 Ti downtube (Ocoee FS), 1995 has complete frame (Tellico).

I never said this frame was 6/4, that's what's on the (not original) decals.

If it isn't a Litespeed, anyone care to suggest who did build it?

 

[scant]

My 1996 road Litespeed has frame numbers under the BB Doesn't seem right to have them under the gear hanger. Also I think 6/4 only came in around 1999 - and on the very top road stuff.

the tellico mtb was 6/4 in 98. I saw 1 up for sale at the world champs in mt.st anne sept 98

 

[scant]

Also I think 6/4 only came in around 1999 - and on the very top road stuff.

1994 catalogue lists 6/4 Ti downtube (Ocoee FS), 1995 has complete frame (Tellico).

I never said this frame was 6/4, that's what's on the (not original) decals.

If it isn't a Litespeed, anyone care to suggest who did build it?

hahaha kinda makes my point redundant

 

[scant]

http://www.firstflightbikes.com/Tomac.htm

check out the pics of the dropout. yours is the same, IE deffo a litespeed. the headtube size is the weird part. litespeed did build bikes for other people. racking my mind to who used litespeed built frames with 1.25 headtube. american flyer?? not sure, will check.

i'd post this question on mtbr.com VRC forum, some v.informed old skool minds on there