is the only diff. between fmf and race frames the hole in the gusset??I have a chance to pick up the frame but the seller says he doesnt know which one it is. serial #s not on the dropout but on the bb shell and they arent #S just letters. I saw something in another post about the weld , no weld on the lug behind the bb. was this specific to Fmf or Race.??

Well for starters, the weld behind the BB just means it is a 76-77 frame. All the 78 and later frames were not welded there. Race Inc, Cycle Pro, Laguna and FMF were all made at Race Inc. If it has something on the BB for a serial number then that would make it a Cycle Pro Spoiler but I'm guessing if it's just letters then someone stamped it there. The FMF will ALWAYS have the hole in the gussett. Get pics and post it.

Thanks Brian I will have it today .I'll post pics and have the serial# (letters) too.

FMF or Race Inc:

Race Inc characteristics are
1. Gusset: almost always solid but a few did have holes!

2. Dropouts: 'Diamond/FMF type' (early) or traditional flat bottom type (later)
3. Brake Bridge: Some are non brake bridge (early), most are with brake bridge.
4. Lug @ bottom bracket are both types: welded seam (early) and non (later)
5. Upper 'Lug' can either be the larger (early) or smaller (later)
6. Serial Numbers: I was told that early Race Inc models did not have serial #'s, but I'm not sure about that. Most will have serial numbers starting with RA-----.

FMF's:
1. Gussett: Most were with holes, a FEW were solid.
(one example is shown below, a few Team Replica models were also made with non hole gusset model with Brake bridge!!!!!.......... Sodbuster does have some good pics of this.)

2. Dropouts: Always Diamond type (steel or aluminum)
3. Brake bridge: Most aluminum models are non brake bridge, but some DO have them! All steel models do not have them.
4. Lug @ bottom bracket: All aluminum models are welded seam type
5. Upper 'Lug': Larger type (not absolutely sure about the Jr. Pro model though).
6. Serial Numbers: None on the aluminum models (that I am aware of) Steel models do have Serial numbers.

Hope this helps.

[ July 02, 2007, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: Code Blue ]

1976 FMF

Diamond Dropouts
No Brake Bridge
Oval hole in gusset

[img][IMG]http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/STICK9/DSC01250.jpg[/img][/IMG] this is it. bb shell has ?uzpsh .no numbers all letters the first letter is kind of scratched. it looks like someone either tried to repair it or was learning to weld alum. on the lug at the chain stay!!! I dont know if I'll build this up so it might need a home. I rubbed it with mothers polish and it looks like it will shine up pretty good.