Some more information
I knew that if I did not do this given my frequent visits to Japan, that I would regret it later. I was in Milano, Italy at the Vigorelli Velodrome talking to Alberto Masi in 2001. There were still licensing issues related to the Masi Gran Criterium name which his brother sold. Regardless, Alberto agreed to build one for me including the original decals and lugs provided it only be shipped to London where I lived at that time. A few months later I was back in town for business but couldn't get over there for a fitting. I totally blew that one. I managed to get two customs made in the UK but still kick myself about the Masi.
Living in different parts of the world has some advantages and they still build some really nice steel frames in Japan. The headtube badge is handpainted by Tanabe-san's wife and it's a work of art by itself.
The lugs, fork crown and BB shell are all investment cast. Selecting those was fun. I originally thought of a fastback seat stay arrangement but they I would not have had the Kalavinka plates at the top of the seat stays.
Some of the frame build is based on the detail work I liked on my 3Rensho Katana but with a more modern tubeset and 130mm spacing. I let Tanabe-san sort out the geometry based on the fitting.
The Shimano cockpit? Well IMHO those particular Dura Ace parts, stem and post, were/are some of the most beautiful forgings ever made. The stem is actually made by Nitto and I'm guessing that the post is as well. The post uses the set screw at the front to set the tilt and was also used on the 600/Ultegra post of that era. The stem also has the unique feature of the bar mount and stem cone bolts being hidden under the cap. The Cinelli 64 with 26.0 fitting and double cable grooves was only in production for a short period of time. Finding a silver bar in a traditional, shallow drop bend with ergo grooves gives limited options.
I've been running Campag 10 for almost 10 years now. I had a Shimano DA 9 setup up through 2005 but all that stuff is in storage. I also have a large stock of Campag 10 spares including cassettes in Singapore where I currently live and have found that the 13/26 Campag 10 cassette works for most terrains I've ridden over the past 10 years and not just flat lands. Also, I can fix/maintain the stuff with some competence.
Posting on RBR over the years I love seeing the stuff being made by handbuilders in the States, Europe and Asia. The pics and stories around the process and build are always great to read. It's a long haul out here but if you're in Japan, looking for a frame is one more thing to do. I see that the regulars including those in Tokyo and Taiwan have chimed in so thanks for all the comments.
