Ti Frame identification

[shankldu]

Any one recognize this frame

[fogrider]

I'll get it started, it looks like an older frame...is that replacement fork? if the fork is 1", it would confirm that is older. a couple of other things to confirm, it looks like a seatpost clamp is welded on and not a separate collar, this is old school and rarely done on newer frames. The chainstay and seatstay transition looks like Merlin's work. what kind of BB is in there? Merlin used pressed-in before 1993(?). And what does that yellow sticker say? might there be a serial number on the BB shell?

[pbarry]

Looks ilke a Merlin but the drop outs are incorrect--Are the seat stays slotted for D.O. attachment? What and where is the serial #?

[eddief]

maybe

[weisan]

Looks like early-days Merlin built in Cambridge.

[Cat3roadracer]

Not a Merlin

[pbarry]

Originally Posted by Cat3roadracer

Not a Merlin

Until the OP responds with more info, I'm not making a call. Worked at Merlin from 89 to 91, and most hallmarks are there, except for the dropouts. A close up of the ST top would help as we were the only ones making a machined ST top, and the tell tale butt weld shows. May have been an employee bike using prototype drop outs, but did not happen while I was there.

[pbarry]

Originally Posted by fogrider

I'll get it started, it looks like an older frame...is that replacement fork? if the fork is 1", it would confirm that is older. a couple of other things to confirm, it looks like a seatpost clamp is welded on and not a separate collar, this is old school and rarely done on newer frames. The chainstay and seatstay transition looks like Merlin's work. what kind of BB is in there? Merlin used pressed-in before 1993(?). And what does that yellow sticker say? might there be a serial number on the BB shell?

Yes. Threaded BB started in '91, and in full production by '92.

[shankldu]

Thanks all ,will update once i have it in my hands , as to any marking on the shell and the steer diameter. I could tell it was older but i have not seen the combo of seat mast and drop out style comparing it to other known frames.

[ojingoh]

http://www.speedbicycles.ch/velo/463...lyst_1995.html

[Dino Suegiù]

Originally Posted by ojingoh

I think you bought an old litespeed

http://www.speedbicycles.ch/velo/463...lyst_1995.html

It's all conjecture until the op receives the frameset, etc. but the stay terminations/dropouts look very different in his image compared to the Litespeed with those "bullet" ends. Also, the frameset the op acquired has chainstay crimping and that Litespeed does not.

It will be interesting to see what it is, since a lot of titanium frame-building seemed still fluid, with brand "markers" not really so extensive yet, in that era.

[ojingoh]

Agree wit you Dino, curious what we're looking at.