Classic & Vintage - Bottecchia rebuild

Rebuilding (http://claremontcyclist.blogspot.com/2010/07/newold-bottecchia.html) a 1970s Bottecchia, not a top of the line model, but and going to give it all period Campy, or as much as I can, since it is just for fun. Anyway, my first vintage rebuild, any hints or suggestions would be appreciated.

looks like a great project. I hope the luggs cleanup easily for you.

That is an interesting lug set and especially the fork crown. I wonder, with the decal headbadge also, if that is a Euro spec frame? Is that a number hanger underside the top tube?

I like my builds to have component groups that are equal with the level of the frame.

High end frames get high end groups (Super Record, Dura Ace, Superbe Pro)
Mid level frames get mid level groups (Nuovo Record, Athena, Chorus, 600, Ultegra, 105, Superbe, Sprint)
Low end frames ger low end groups (Gran Sport, Victory, Triomphe, 105)

Don't know anything about its history, though I know it was either sold from or serviced at a shop in Long Beach, CA (now Seal Beach) since it still has the shop sticker on the fork. That little braze on I assumed was for cable routing since there is another at the other end of the top tube; I know the theory never made sense with the cable clips on there, I figured that was just how someone wanted it set up?


That is an interesting lug set and especially the fork crown. I wonder, with the decal headbadge also, if that is a Euro spec frame? Is that a number hanger underside the top tube?

Makes perfect sense. I have already picked up a couple Nuovo Record components, so will probably stick with that as much as possible.


I like my builds to have component groups that are equal with the level of the frame.

High end frames get high end groups (Super Record, Dura Ace, Superbe Pro)
Mid level frames get mid level groups (Nuovo Record, Athena, Chorus, 600, Ultegra, 105, Superbe, Sprint)
Low end frames ger low end groups (Gran Sport, Victory, Triomphe, 105)

Wow, that is one unusual looking Bottecchia. I've never seen lugs or a crown like that. I would think it's older than the 70's both from the lugs and the head tube badge which is typically only seen on Euro models. It doesn't look like any particular 50's models I've seen either but I've only seen a small number. Are there other particulars that make you think it's from the 70's rather than 50's or 60's?

I like my builds to have component groups that are equal with the level of the frame.

High end frames get high end groups (Super Record, Dura Ace, Superbe Pro)
Mid level frames get mid level groups (Nuovo Record, Athena, Chorus, 600, Ultegra, 105, Superbe, Sprint)
Low end frames ger low end groups (Gran Sport, Victory, Triomphe, 105)

Nuovo Record is a mid-level group? It was a high-end group when some high-end frames were truly high end.

Funny how it is considered down graded for the Super Record era when a lot of high-end frames were merely cookie cutter production line products with good marketing.

If just for cosmetics I'll take Nuovo Record and Record any day. But I see no defecit in function when compared to Super Record.

i recently re-built a similar quality frame.. was a Garlatti originally equipped with mostly low to mid-range italian parts (3ttt ofmega campy valentino universal etc)

its become a mish mash of nice parts now & not always period correct... campa gran sport brake (almost identical to record anyway...) kept 3ttt stem & handlebars + ofmega headset (locknut is even alu!!!) fitted with mavic/wolber tubulars - zeus criterium cranks -- campa pistal pedals -- nuovo rec seatpost and sakae alu fork..

i say do what you want as long as it looks good in yr opinion...

ps i also have rust on my chrome lugs but... its not that orange -- more like brown -- how did you remove it ?

ps i also have rust on my chrome lugs but... its not that orange -- more like brown -- how did you remove it ?
Try rubbing crumpled aluminum foil on it. I tried it already on a few old components I have lying around with chromed steel parts on it and it does work.

Chombi

Respects, but Suntour Superbe is not mid-level. The differences in Superbe and Superbe Pro are more era related than quality related.

To some lesser extent, is that not the case also with Campy NR/SR? Wasn't there a period of time when NR was the best you could get from Campy?

J



I like my builds to have component groups that are equal with the level of the frame.

High end frames get high end groups (Super Record, Dura Ace, Superbe Pro)
Mid level frames get mid level groups (Nuovo Record, Athena, Chorus, 600, Ultegra, 105, Superbe, Sprint)
Low end frames ger low end groups (Gran Sport, Victory, Triomphe, 105)

As far as the date goes, I simply accepted what I was told when I bought it. Prior to this one my only experience with Bottecchia's was an early 90s model I raced on. Maybe I will do a little investigating. Doesn't seem as old as the 50s though.


Wow, that is one unusual looking Bottecchia. I've never seen lugs or a crown like that. I would think it's older than the 70's both from the lugs and the head tube badge which is typically only seen on Euro models. It doesn't look like any particular 50's models I've seen either but I've only seen a small number. Are there other particulars that make you think it's from the 70's rather than 50's or 60's?

My son actually volunteered to clean the rusted parts. On the lugs he used a nylon kitchen scouring pad with a little chrome polish and it came off quite easily. Luckily there were very few places on the frame or the components where the rust was at all deep, literally just surface rust.


ps i also have rust on my chrome lugs but... its not that orange -- more like brown -- how did you remove it ?

Universal 68 sidepull brakes just seam right on Vintage Italian bikes, just as Mafac Racers fit French bikes.

A steel crank would look really cool on that bike also.
Like this Campy sport 3 pin
http://bp3.blogger.com/_9xoa2yycSQA/R0wvnnAvDNI/AAAAAAAAAD0/jOoGFb6CX3s/s320/ReveloNo1_2.jpg

That is a nice crank set, probably a bit unusual though and difficult to find?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vtqDd5oxLXU/TFI2f-vPdaI/AAAAAAAAA4s/WwOrJyrNb8Y/s1600/IMG_2272.JPG

since the Nervar Sports have cleaned up so well though, I going to keep them. For now at least.

^Nice^. That will look great. Yes the steel Campy's are pricey, but do come up on ebay on occasion.

Lovely looking frame.............Good luck with the project..........

New parts update:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vtqDd5oxLXU/THniFJJJmmI/AAAAAAAABF4/_rlg40AqbeI/s1600/IMG_6597.JPGand a couple more here (http://claremontcyclist.blogspot.com/2010/08/bottecchia-rebuild-part-5-more-parts.html).

That frame impresses me so much I can,t begin to tell you, I dont know why but it screams late 60,s to me so IMHO I,m thinking "Nuovo Record" or a mint "Gran Sport" , NR if you like an alum DR or GS if you like chrome steel,either way anything else would be uninspireing ,ok Shimano Arabesque maybe (just for the BLING factor) whatever u decide I just want you to know , I,m green with envy,lucky you !