Classic & Vintage - My new-to-me broken Guerciotti!

What do you guys think? Got any info on this bad boy?

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes133.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes134.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes136.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes137.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes140.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes139.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes138.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes142.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes144.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes145.jpg

You can have that down tube replaced if you want to.....
The Gipiemme DOs might hint that it could be a mid level frame. I would think that higher model frames usually had Campy DOs??
Good luck if you plan to repair and ride it.
Forgot to ask, what happened to the frame/rider(?) that it broke like that??

Chombi

You can have that down tube replaced if you want to.....
The Gipiemme DOs might hint that it could be a mid level frame. I would think that higher model frames usually had Campy DOs??
Good luck if you plan to repair and ride it.
Forgot to ask, what happened to the frame/rider(?) that it broke like that??

Chombi

I planned on getting it fixed. I took a gamble and won it on "the Bay" for $60. Southwest Frameworks told me they could replace the downtube for $125.

Any other framebuilders you guys would recommend?

Why was the downtube cut like that? Me thinks in order to steal it if the lock holding it down was too much to cut through. $60 seems quite steep for a ruined frame, was it local as in you got to pick it up?

Why was the downtube cut like that? Me thinks in order to steal it if the lock holding it down was too much to cut through. $60 seems quite steep for a ruined frame, was it local as in you got to pick it up?

It broke like that. Was the guys daily rider, then one day... snap.

It was $60 with free shipping.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes141.jpg

Serial:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes143.jpg

The real cost will be incurred duplicating the paint on the replaced downtube! :D

That is an interesting break. It's my understanding tubes usually only break like that if they've been overheated during the initial brazing process.

The paint is interesting, but I'm thinking about repainting anyway. Most important thing is that it's fixed and ridable. I wanted a Columbus frame that I could personalize and not feel guilty about repainting it.

You can have that down tube replaced if you want to.....
The Gipiemme DOs might hint that it could be a mid level frame. I would think that higher model frames usually had Campy DOs??
Good luck if you plan to repair and ride it.
Forgot to ask, what happened to the frame/rider(?) that it broke like that??

Chombi

It's got neat details, but I don't really have experience with anything other than Japanese and English frames. So I don't know if it would be considered mid-level or not. Check out the rear brake bridge.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes135.jpg

I must add that the best thing about fixing that frame will be refinishing it. Not into the candle soot look. Neat frame. A worthy save.

The Gipiemme DOs might hint that it could be a mid level frame. I would think that higher model frames usually had Campy DOs??


Chombi

The Guerciotti frame I had with Gipiemme drops was TreTubi Aelle. Nice riding frame. Yes to mid-level.

It's got neat details, but I don't really have experience with anything other than Japanese and English frames. So I don't know if it would be considered mid-level or not. Check out the rear brake bridge.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/realestvin7/Bikes/Bikes135.jpg

Not really sure if the Gipimme DO is a 100% evidence that the frame might not be top line, but Gipiemme is usually considered "second tier" (Like Ofmega, and Miche),when it comes to italian components. Maybe their DO's are better quality than their other stuff.
The brake bridge and the pantograph work on the rest of the frame does look impressive though,...Maybe it's not mid level but at least 3/4 from the top of the line model??:D Any evidence on the frame that might say it's built with Columbus SLX tubing? (Look for the "rifling" ribs in the tubes connected to the BB shell.) If it is SLX then it is high line model.:thumb:

Chombi

I once had a Medici frame down tube break just like that as I was riding it (no sudden impact). Steering just started feeling really wierd and when I checked it out I found that it had cracked all the way through. I rode it home cracked and retired the frame.

The real cost will be incurred duplicating the paint on the replaced downtube! :D

That is an interesting break. It's my understanding tubes usually only break like that if they've been overheated during the initial brazing process.

When the head tube lug is not thinned (even if it is rounded ) it can cause quite a stress riser as evidenced by this break.

I once had a Medici frame down tube break just like that as I was riding it (no sudden impact). Steering just started feeling really wierd and when I checked it out I found that it had cracked all the way through. I rode it home cracked and retired the frame.

This is the seller's description to a tee. The steering got funny with a slight shimmy, then it just cracked.

I know it's Columbus of some sort. You can see the outline where the decal used to be on the seat tube. I'll be looking for any other identifying marks.

I'd agree that in general the Gipiemme DOs indicate a lower-than-SL tubing, but whether this one is lower, or what it has (Tre-tubi, all-Aelle, Aelle R, etc.) you'd have to find a catalog with the same frame spec'd. Obviously they didn't skimp on the lugs, the frame bits or the paint (and I'm surprised TSD was doing the smoked paint in the US, thought it was more of a Carlo Doseno thing)

That's a Ten Speed Drive painted Guerciotti. 1987-1988 ish. I worked for a local Guerciotti shop in that era. Smoked finish frames were very common. Limitless choices from TSD. Aelle tubing sticker would have been original.

That smoked effect was created by waving a torch back and forth over white paint, correct?

When the head tube lug is not thinned (even if it is rounded ) it can cause quite a stress riser as evidenced by this break.

Thanks, vague recollection of reading that before. Justifies handcrafted frames with thinned lugs. It's not simply vanity!

I am not sure exactly how the smoke effect was done. Two of our local racers managed to crack two different guerciotti frames of several seasons of use. My bike is Aelle tri tube.

Thanks, vague recollection of reading that before. Justifies handcrafted frames with thinned lugs. It's not simply vanity!

So, will I at least break even on the value of the frame after I get the tube repaired?

Save the finish, it is a dead ringer for my 87 Guerciotti Strada made with TreTubi Aelle. I'd insert a photo, but WJ doesn't work that way.

Frame Photos here (http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/CV-6+Enterprises/Guerciotti/GuerciottiStrada/?g2_page=2)




So, will I at least break even on the value of the frame after I get the tube repaired?

No. I think my frame sold for $175 plus shipping. You are looking at $125 plus paint. You will probably be into it for $300 plus.

That there is a frame to practice framebuilding/brazing on...

That there is a frame to practice framebuilding/brazing on...

Same and sweating copper plumbing right? Lol.

I'm not scared to try it. Just need a little help figuring tube length and such.

Where's the most affordable place to get a stick of tubing? And which tubing, specifically, would I need?

I'm a fabricator at heart. Might as well try my own skill.

Where's the most affordable place to get a stick of tubing? And which tubing, specifically, would I need?

I'm a fabricator at heart. Might as well try my own skill.

If you are near Dallas, you might ask SW Frameworks if they have something they might sell you. If I am not mistaken, you will have to unbraze the top tube also. But not having built a frame, I am only guessing. Maybe you can work it out with them to pay for the tubing and some instruction. Who knows? You may get the bug and 50 years from now someone may be getting excited about finding an old realestvin7 frame.

If you are near Dallas, you might ask SW Frameworks if they have something they might sell you. If I am not mistaken, you will have to unbraze the top tube also. But not having built a frame, I am only guessing. Maybe you can work it out with them to pay for the tubing and some instruction. Who knows? You may get the bug and 50 years from now someone may be getting excited about finding an old realestvin7 frame.

Lol that would be awesome. I would be lying if I told you I didn't have natural talent in engineering/fabrication. I doubt Dave's shop is open tomorrow, but I'll call anyway.