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Its custom from its frame geometry up. Specifically if you've ever tried to ride a velodrome optimized track bike with steep angles, short wheelbase and a high centre bracket on a flat dirt track you'd understand why. Stability is king racing on flat dirt tracks. It was 50yrs ago. All of the attributes assigned to a good velodrome frame serve to destabilize you racing on dirt.
If you'd actually read the text on the link you'd already know this. -
Rupert was born in 1903. Making him 73 yo. He started building bicycles in the 1920's and later with Malvern Star making their pro frames. Maybe you've heard of Sir Hubert Opperman or Sid Patterson maybe ?
He knew he was dying mate long before he painted the frame. He had just trained/skilled Ken Dickie in the shop over the years on pin striping.
And to be perfectly honest. ..The value added to the frame by that wonky head badge (if you're referring to the MS its actually on the seat tube) all the other imperfections is astonishing. Only a hand full of these frames exist and none of them have this paint job with relevant historical links back to the original manufacturer. It is unique.
Your argument is invalid. -
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This is my father's track frame.
Italian frame builder Tom Dell'Amato built it in 1963 for Malvern Star in Northcote, Melbourne.
It's made from Reynolds 531, Nervex/Reynolds lugs/ends.
It had the specific design instruction to be made for flat track racing. ...as opposed to velodrome racing. Changes the frame geometry.
In 1964 at the Wangaratta ANA Carnival in Victoria my father rode this frame to win the International Grand Prix (match race) up against 5 other riders.
Namely Sid Patterson, Jos DeBaker, Jens Sorenson, Ron Grenda and Joe Siovola. Google those boys.
In 1980 the frame was brought back to life by Rupert Bates. Apparently one of the last he worked on before he died.
Rupert did this one personally because of what it was and his long association with Malvern Star he wanted to " bring it back to its former glory..."
And so it was raced for its last track season and retired.
Been hanging on a wall for 34 years.
Only a handful left in tact.Rest of the story here.
http://www.fixed.org.au/forums/fixed-gear-4/team-issued-hand-made-malvern-star-5-star-track-frame-32495/
Good to know. Here's an example of Ken Dickie's work.