Robert J’s has joined us once again, and this time he’s presenting a department store special that’s chock-full of potential. This his OTSG First Steelmaster…Master.
Robert, you sent this in a while ago, please free to forward any updated shots or comment on the current status of this one.
Cameron,
I think I’ve stumbled on to an OTSG first. Found it in the local junkyard this week:
1970’s Steelmaster “Master” 10 Speed
This bike really lives up to it’s name–every component (save for the plastic) was steel. As soon as I got it home I started replacing the rusty steel with alloy components I had in the garage (rims, stem, brakes, shifters and kickstand).
I found the bike in the local scrapyard and probably wouldn’t have brought it home, except for the great color and that the frame had an uncanny resemblance to a 1970’s Gitane I’d found a week earlier. It has identical fancy lugs on the frame, similar geometry and cottered crank. But it has a tiny sticker identifying it as “Made in Taiwan Republic of China.” I left on the “Falcon” derailleurs and “Pointer” crank. It’s obviously a clever knock-off. Google comes up with no references to a Steelmaster 10 speed, so obviously I have a crappy rarity! It’s a work in progress, so when the Steelmaster and the Gitane are finished, I’ll be eager to make a comparison ride.
I haven’t posted in over a year, but I have 2 more crappy bikes to post.
Thanks again.Robert J