VTG 1985 Dave Moulton Recherche Road Bike Frameset 51cm CTT

Description

1985 Recherche
The rarest of the rare, just a little over 200 were made, and this is #007! Dave Moulton made the Fusos and Recherches at the same time, same geometry. They were made for a different customer.
In my 50 years of collecting vintage bikes, this is the only Recherche I have ever seen. So I had to buy it. But bikes and frames that do not fit family members have to go!
51 cm CTC top tube, 51 cm CTT Seat tube, 126mm rear drop out spacing, Campagnolo drop outs front and rear.
Per Dave Moulton, these bikes were made out of Columbus SLX but I am not sure. Quite a few chips in the paint, some corrosion
around top tube guide, not excessive but there. Priced as a rare bike but not in the best condition for sure.
If it were my size, I'd build it up and ride it. But sadly its too small.
Bike work stand and seat post stand adapter are not included! Seems kind of obvious, but in the world of eBay, you have to make it clear. Snap-on tool box not included either (LOL).
From Dave Moulton website:
"
The Recherché was a private label frame, built for Kent and Kyle Radford, owners of a bike store in Rancho Bernardo, CA. (San Diego County.) They wanted a frame they could sell in their store and also market to other Southern California bicycle dealers.
They had a name for the product, Recherché, and a decal design. The frame was the exact same geometry as the Fuso, in fact one of the reasons I took on this project was because I could build the frames in with the Fusos.
I usually worked on batches of five frames minimum, all the same size. So I would build 3 Fuso frames and 2 Recherché for example. There were slight aesthetic differences in the two frames, like different seatstay caps and fork crown, and a different treatment was given to where the front and rear dropouts joined the tubes.
The Recherché frames were originally offered only in red, but later blue, yellow, black and white were added. The frames were a single color with a white decal panel on the seat and down tube. Some 200 were built, mostly in 1985 through 1987.
One of the French interpretations of the word Recherché is “Sought After,” which is somewhat prophetic. They were a no frills frame with a slightly simplified paint job when compared to the Fuso, but because there were far less built, there is a rarity appeal to this model.
Dave Moulton"
I am a meticulous packer. Lots of positive feedback on prior bike and frame shipments.
Handling cost is just to offset my packing materials.
International shipping on large packages tends to be crazy high, so I don't do it. Spent over 0 shipping just a frame to New Zealand once!!
You can learn more about me over on my FB tribute page, bills vintage steel bikes.
Some prior bike and frame feedback:
The packing job on this bike frame could withstand a tornado. (
1971 Crescent 320 Pepita Professional Deluxe 531 Reynolds Frame & Fork Sweden)
Knowledgeable seller, good shipping, awesome pack job! (
1994 Litespeed Obed Titanium Frame USA Mountain Bike)
Frame was exactly as promised in the photos and description. Packing was amazing (
Colin Laing Frame and Fork Frameset 55cm CTT Reynolds 531)
Excellent. Frame was in excellent condition & very well packed. (
1983 Trek 520 Touring Frame Fork Frameset & Headset 24 inch CTT)
Fast Shipping, Fantastic packing, as Described!!! (
1986 Trek 500 Tri Series Frame and Fork Frameset 24 inch CTT Reynolds 531)
Thanks for great packing and super bicycle; being upgraded as I write this! (
1987 Nishiki Linear ST 57cm CTT, TT 58cm CTC, Triathlon Time Trial Funny Bike)
Shipped quickly, was as described, great transaction! (
1986 Centurion Ironman Frame and Fork Frameset 58cm CTT Tange
)
All best ....thanks (
Vintage Joe Breeze Breezer Venturi Frame Fork & Headset 51cm size)
Great transaction. Thanks for working with me. (
1999 Merlin Aerial Titanium Frameset Quintana Roo with QR Carbon Fork 650c 55cm)
Gorgeous frame! Super fast shipping! Ridiculously well packed!! Thank you!!!! A+ (
Vintage 1986 Schwinn Paramount Frameset 52cm Columbus SLX made in Waterford WI)
Truly Helpful through this proscess . Can't understate my gratitude (
Vintage 1979 Trek 930 Racing Frameset 50cm Columbus SL Made in USA)