Classic & Vintage - The answer to "How many projects can you handle at one time?" - 1978 Colnago Super

This beauty makes it four bikes and three drillium projects in various stages of completion:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7572222226_785339ea10_b.jpg

Details tomorrow - Sacha says it's time for bed :)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/7417465454_fea9072af6_b.jpg

DD

The gransport front derailleur is just not right!

The gransport front derailleur is just not right!

????? you lost me.

Another nice frame D. Dude. Spread yourself evenly. ;)

I've always had a hard time telling the Nuovo Gran Sport and Record front derailleurs apart. How can you tell which is which?

Must have better eyes than I do, from that pic.

ANOTHER 'Nago, D. Dude!!!! Cool. You're becoming a one-marque pro.

Regarding the FD: I think it's somewhat common that people see the larger front clamp and assume GS. However, the GS FD had steel actuating arms that were thinner (and heavier) than the forged alloy of NR and SR. The smaller clamp came later on and was used on both NR and SR.

This is a post-CPSC NR.

I'm taking pics of the frame details right now, so I'll have some more on this project in an hour or so.

DD

Okay, so what's the story on this one?

Well, ever since I got the '73 Super (the one I restored about 3 years ago - and I'm calling it a '73 vice '74 now), I've been wanting to add one more Colnago to my personal collection to bridge the middle of the gap between it and my '83 Mexico. This is just me, but I consider that era of Colnagos to be representative of what I like in Italian racing bikes.

Anyhow, Alex Moll contacted me a few weeks ago regarding some feedback/advice about an Italian frame purchase he was thinking of making; Alex has never in his life had an Italian rig, although he's got quite the collection of French, British and American-made high-end stuff (he's no slouch in the drillium/restoration department, either).

I helped out with suggestions best I could. A few days after purchasing the frame, he found this '78 Super and wanted to buy it as a donor bike and offered up the frame and a few components he wouldn't be needing. His plan is early-80s Super Record and I had spares of that stuff, so we traded SR for NR and the frame was a simple money deal.

Yesterday he brought the frame/parts over, along with his 1973 Davidson. We did a short 20 miler in the morning - kinda neat, as we both rode our Davidsons, which just happen to be 30 years apart in age. Upon returning, we removed the parts from the Super that Alex will be using and took out the HS in the Masi as well. He also passed this cool tool along to me:

Dremel dual-sander:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7576642882_6c29ec18a6_b.jpg

Cool, huh? And the instruction sheet shows that a polishing belt can also be used on this, so that's an added bonus.

So, Alex is still awaiting his frame - hopefully it arrives in the next week (it's in the country via DHL, so that's good). The plan is to meet up next weekend at the Bryant Trailhead of the Centennial Trail, ride to his house and check out his new beauty. Fingers crossed that it arrives safely and the weather is good.

Okay, without further delay, here are the frame's details. Enjoy!

Rear dropouts and 1978 Nuovo Record RD:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7576653170_6d9a82f9b0_b.jpg

Backside of driveside rear DO - note the additional round buttresses; those are for the Portacatena drilling sites:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7576664802_06618fdf4c_b.jpg

Backside of non-driveside rear DO - note the nick pattern: I believe someone used this with a rear rack, and the nicks are from a set of Blackburn adapters:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7576654370_d6c5dd6938_b.jpg

Neat little metal chainstay protector:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7576666604_1791405524_b.jpg

Chain peg (?):

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7576667716_fb0c89c289_b.jpg

Rear brake bridge:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7576669052_bd0dfc568d_b.jpg

Rear brake:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7576676078_21c1912de3_b.jpg

BB shell clover cutout:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7576678110_bf9755e4b1_b.jpg

BB shell details and NR FD:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7576679462_234b90000e_b.jpg

More coming...

DD

Last group.

Head tube and NR headset:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7576681842_3d5dc221a8_b.jpg

Upper head lug; beautiful thinning, and isn't that headset a beauty?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7576683924_a23bd5e755_b.jpg

Underside of fork crown - note the pin next to the brake bolt passing through:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7576684924_e76e156239_b.jpg

Backside of fork crown with recessed details:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7576686236_d1b6249f45_b.jpg

Clover cutout in fork stiffening tang:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7576688198_8feb9316c3_b.jpg

Lower head lug, Campy gear levers and late-model semi-sloping crown with clover and "Colnago" engraving:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7576689684_5c5d4e83ba_b.jpg

Myself, Alex - and even the seller - are not 100% sure if the paint/chrome is original. It certainly is thin enough to pass for original (and the seller claimed to be only the second owner who only rode it once and put it away for 20 years. Ummm....well, maybe...). Two things strike me as odd: one, there's not a trace of a Columbus tubing decal anywhere, and two, the decals are a little strange - instead of being single letters as normal, these are one large sticker with large clear areas wrapping around 3/4 of the tube. They could be aftermarket.

In any case, the paint looks right and has held up very, very well. Not nearly the patina of, say, the Masi - in fact, the little chips here and there are completely commensurate with use and not abuse. I like that, so I don't mind them at all. Saves me the worry of putting the first chip in the paint myself, you know?

So, this was the third frame acquired in June that I'd written about. I think that's a record for me; 3 frames in one month. The Masi almost made it 4.

This brings me to 11 bikes. WTF? I thought I said last year that I was happy with the size of my collection and blah, blah, blah... Well, now I am. I have my Masi and I have my generation-filling Colnago Super. I can die content :)

Seriously, this is my last bike/frame purchase for awhile. I'm heading for Diego Garcia with only one bike and 11 is more than I can ride in one week. And now I really am not looking/lusting after anything else.

The Colnago is waiting on a 120mm Cinelli 1A stem and 70mm Campy strada spindle for the BB to finish her off mechanically. Shnibop has kindly offered up assistance on both these items - thanks, dude!

The last thing to see to: PC decals. And I have a set already - they were bought and set aside back in the day for just such a project. OCD is my friend :)

DD

A real beauty, I can't wait to see the finished product (on this and all your other projects).

Also interested to see what you can do with that new belt sander/polisher!

A real beauty, I can't wait to see the finished product (on this and all your other projects).

Also interested to see what you can do with that new belt sander/polisher!

I'm afraid this may disappoint some watchers as it will be built completely stock Nuovo/Super Record. I mean, the bits will be shiny and all, but no drilling or suchlike, you know? This will be understated but elegant; not flashy, but interesting just the same, I suppose.

Yes, that belt-sander is going to help speed up a couple of processes for me - especially as it can do double-duty as a polishing device as well. I'm going to have fun with that :)

DD

Original paint or not, who cares? That is a real beauty DD.

- But this is still my favorite pic in the whole thread:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/7417465454_fea9072af6_b.jpg

But this is still my favorite pic in the whole thread:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/7417465454_fea9072af6_b.jpg

Mine, too - I'm a lucky man, and I know it ;)

You're absolutely right about the paint; I was just thinking along the lines of full-disclosure. In discussion with Alex, I made the suggestion that it might have been repainted back in the day, say, ten years or so after being made. I would think the paints and processes in those days would've resulted in a thinner, more-original look. The PO did say he bought it, rode it once and then put it away for 20 years, so it wasn't repainted recently.

Personally, I love the paint job - and it's a perfect match for the ice-blue Colnago was using during this timeframe.

How I wish I had a saddle and the correct-length stem right now - I'd be running this around the neighborhood on a test ride instead of typing this!

By the weekend, she will be ride-ready.

DD

I always thought Nuovo Record FDs got holes at the same time as the CPSC lip and that the Nuovo Gran sports were the same but without the holes.

I always thought Nuovo Record FDs got holes at the same time as the CPSC lip and that the Nuovo Gran sports were the same but without the holes.

Hmmm...could be. I have non-Campy catalogs that show NRs without holes, but that's not the same as a real Campy Catalog, huh? Alas, I have none of those. So I'll say it could go either way - at any rate, I like the look of the hole-less outer plate :)

DD

unfortunately there is no campy catalog that can be taken as gospel from that time. There is a supplement that came out in '79 which shows the new super record and the "record" front derailleur with 4 holes. it also shows the gran-sport which appears to be the same as record but with the globe logo and a solid outer plate. The previous catalog is from 1975.

Auchen: Here a couple more shots of everyone's favorite cat, playing with her new favorite toy (Campy "Open-C" QR lever!), for your enjoyment.

What's this?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7576652088_d466337823_b.jpg

Tastes funny, but...


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7576651018_efc7ae5908_b.jpg

...it's mine now :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7576649908_d4718ae0c2_b.jpg

DD

:) I have a few favorite cats of my own here with me now, DD - but your Sacha is a real cutie, no doubt about it!!! :thumb:

Thanks - and I get you. It's like parents: every parent thinks their kid is the cutest, smartest and coolest kid on the planet and everyone else's are just average ;)

DD

Sacha is above average. :love:

Ha, you're going to be the Colnago version of the Rainbow Sheikh, eh? One for every colour of the rainbow! This one's great, I'm rather partial to blue bikes (my whole stable is blue now, after the demise of the yellow moulton - I must add some colour soon!).

Cool frameset.

My first Super was a similar color and I loved that bicycle.

Wasn't the nicest bicycle I ever owned, but it was a fantastic bicycle to race for a few seasons.

It got pretty beat up from crashes and rough use, but she never gave up.

Congrats on your nice acquisition Jeff!

Btw Maybe you already mentioned Sacha's plan for Diego Garcia. Does she get to tag along?

Really lovely Colnago! :love: I'd have had a hard time passing this one up, too, no matter how many current projects I had. Thanks for all the detailed pics.


I'm heading for Diego Garcia with only one bike and 11 is more than I can ride in one week.

Good luck with your assignment. Thanks for your service! How long will you be away? From wiki: "Typical of coral atolls, [Diego Garcia] has a maximum elevation on some dunes on the ocean side of the rim of just nine metres (30 ft) above mean low water." Maybe you should bring a simple single-speed instead of your impeccable Davidson? There be pirates yonder!

Even the plainest Colnago is pretty flashy.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7576649908_d4718ae0c2_b.jpg
DD

She obviously has impeccable taste. Mine won't touch straight lever skewers. Likes her skewers loaded with shrimp off the BBQ.

The Answer Is 42

Ha, you're going to be the Colnago version of the Rainbow Sheikh, eh? One for every colour of the rainbow! This one's great, I'm rather partial to blue bikes (my whole stable is blue now, after the demise of the yellow moulton - I must add some colour soon!).

I like this metallic light blue, too. A perfectly low-key shade. As for more Colnagos in more colors? Nah - I think I'll stop at three ;)

The only colors I don't have represented - but would like - in my collection are black and yellow. Someday, after I make some room...

DD

Cool frameset.

My first Super was a similar color and I loved that bicycle.

Wasn't the nicest bicycle I ever owned, but it was a fantastic bicycle to race for a few seasons.

It got pretty beat up from crashes and rough use, but she never gave up.

Congrats on your nice acquisition Jeff!

Btw Maybe you already mentioned Sacha's plan for Diego Garcia. Does she get to tag along?

Thanks, Grady; I think this is pretty much the same as your silver Super, right? Do the details match?

Never mind the decals - I know they're aftermarket, but that's being rectified ;)

I've always wanted one from the late 70s - especially after acquiring the '73 Super. Not only would it be cool to have one right in the middle, but when I did my first racing, the rich kids were racing these while I was on a Raleigh Super Course 12!

Sacha can't come with, but my mom has generously offered to keep her for the one/one-point-five years I'll be in DG :)

DD

Even the plainest Colnago is pretty flashy.

But in a good way - right, Tom?

:)

I think this color is absolutely perfect for flying under the radar. You have to get up close and see all the nifty bits!

DD

Thanks, Grady; I think this is pretty much the same as your silver Super, right? Do the details match?

Never mind the decals - I know they're aftermarket, but that's being rectified ;)

I've always wanted one from the late 70s - especially after acquiring the '73 Super. Not only would it be cool to have one right in the middle, but when I did my first racing, the rich kids were racing these while I was on a Raleigh Super Course 12!

Sacha can't come with, but my mom has generously offered to keep her for the one/one-point-five years I'll be in DG :)

DD

Sounds like you have Sacha covered and properly babied!

About the only difference so far is my addition of a Portacatena since the last set of pics.

http://campagnolo.wikispaces.com/file/view/Portacatena_4.jpg/30230024/Portacatena_4.jpg

It is absolutely killing me that my son Will outgrew this bicycle so quickly though.

I have a Grandis frameset that will fit him by next spring, so I'll probably list the Super soon and drop some money into the Grandis for a short term solution.

Or maybe he could just ride my remaining Zullo, as he is growing so quickly.

As for racing Supers, it is amazing how many cool things a guy could buy when he had four paper routes at the same time through the early teen years. :)

But in a good way - right, Tom?

:)

Absolutely!


I think this color is absolutely perfect for flying under the radar. You have to get up close and see all the nifty bits!

DD

I know what you mean. Very satisfying.

...Lucky kid. Lucky dad. :thumb:

J




Sounds like you have Sacha covered and properly babied!

About the only difference so far is my addition of a Portacatena since the last set of pics.

http://campagnolo.wikispaces.com/file/view/Portacatena_4.jpg/30230024/Portacatena_4.jpg

It is absolutely killing me that my son Will outgrew this bicycle so quickly though.

I have a Grandis frameset that will fit him by next spring, so I'll probably list the Super soon and drop some money into the Grandis for a short term solution.

Or maybe he could just ride my remaining Zullo, as he is growing so quickly.

As for racing Supers, it is amazing how many cool things a guy could buy when he had four paper routes at the same time through the early teen years. :)

Absolutely!

By the way, Tom - break any chains lately?

;)

DD

Your basic Campy/Mavic wheelset, destined for this project. I got this pair off Ebay for a little over $100, and the 13-15-17-19-21-23 freewheel is courtesy of Kurt. No corncob here - I needed a decent bail-out gear on this one.

Details:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7587523620_ebebe6aa2a_b.jpg

Yeah, the decals are "upside down" when seen from the driveside; oh well, huh?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7587525690_2f796ef551_b.jpg

Note the transitional curved QR levers with block "Campagnolo" logos vice the script version:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7587527724_c768c68e24_b.jpg

My favorite tires:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7587529780_0ca38a061f_b.jpg

Had a nice couple hour ride directly after work this afternoon - just slamming around town on the Davidson. Once the stem/correct BB spindle (shnibop) and Cinelli bar/Concor saddle (mazdaspeed) arrive in the next couple of days, I'll have everything I need to complete the build. I'm hoping to ride her this Saturday when I pop on over to Arlington to see Alex Moll's new project.

DD

Finished her up tonight and got a few pics before darkness descended. One less project...

I'll just post the pics tonight, then follow up tomorrow with some details/thank-you call-outs to those who assisted in this build.

Obligatory full-driveside:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7607623546_e8592e4d77_b.jpg

Three-quarter rear:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/7607622912_91a7e98bb6_b.jpg

Three-quarter front:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7607622316_dc21598b11_b.jpg

Drivetrain:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7607621778_d50f2ed330_b.jpg

Crankset/pedals/FD:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7607621232_66e6053819_b.jpg

Clover and gear lever details:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7607620038_3c733a3303_b.jpg

Front brake:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7607619252_2908e90e13_b.jpg

Rear brake:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7607618838_5a43abab3e_b.jpg

Second set coming up...

DD

Second set.

Saddle/seatpost:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7607617938_fb8cb5bb4c_b.jpg

Brake lever/bar:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7607617290_2b1782e32c_b.jpg

RD/freewheel:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7607616230_c1a53d1ba2_b.jpg

Front hub QR detail:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/7607615620_8f7afe8e76_b.jpg

Rear hub QR detail:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7607615116_78ceb9974b_b.jpg

Sacha checking spoke tension before build:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7607614120_65f23fdf11_b.jpg

Detailed write-up tomorrow, complete with component list. Ciao for now :)

DD

Keep them coming.

I've been waiting for these.

Outstanding bicycle you have there. :)

I want to send my bikes to you for a weekend "spa" treatment. Your builds are always so meticulous and well executed.

Looking at your bikes makes me want a proper C&V bike with NR...something I thought I grew out of.

LOVE all the black infills. Now I understand what you were going for. Really sharp overall, with some subtle custom detail work. Very nice.

Second set....

Sacha checking spoke tension before build:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7607614120_65f23fdf11_b.jpg

Detailed write-up tomorrow, complete with component list. Ciao for now :)

DD

I get help too...

Fox checking if the rim is round before I ship off some Weinmann concaves to a fellow C&Ver

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/th_100_0793.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/?action=view&current=100_0793.jpg)

Doby (my sister's cat) checking for good spring tension in an RD before a build:

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/th_IMG_0027.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/?action=view&current=IMG_0027.jpg)

Tugga showing off one of the only bikes I ever regret selling...

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/th_IMG_0338.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/?action=view&current=IMG_0338.jpg)

A pair of them expressing their distrust of disc brakes on a drop bar bike...

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/th_photo1-4.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/?action=view&current=photo1-4.jpg)

Perfecto!

DD,
The Super is just exactly that, SUPER, she looks very Italian and elegant. Well done, sir, well done. As always your build looks immaculate and very well detailed.

Bill

LOVE all the black infills. Now I understand what you were going for. Really sharp overall, with some subtle custom detail work. Very nice.

+1 Nice fillium, Dude. The bike looks perfect; great attention to detail as always.

Very nicely done.

Ehhhh, just another Colnago!:p

Of course, I jest my friend!

Impeccable build-up. You have that knack to get a bike just right. (By-the-way, I hate you for that!:))From choosing the bike, to the parts you pick, to the detail work, your bikes really are just perfect. If Colnago has a museum in Italy, your Nago's could be showcased there to show the very best of Ernesto's work...

Thank you, everyone, for the positive feedback. It's nice to know even a simple, box-stock NR-equipped Colnago (and this one gives lie to the claim that Colnagos are all flash, huh?) can stir the emotions :)

Thanks go out to the following C&Vers; without their contributions, this project would either not have happened or would have taken much longer.

Alex Moll: provided the frame/fork/headset, NR front and rear derailleurs, Sedisport nickel chain and brake calipers. All were in absolutely fantastic, barely-used condition and provided the cornerstone for this build.

shnibop: provided the 120mm Cinelli 1A stem and correct 70mm Italian BB spindle I was lacking. Parts arrived in a little over 24 hours, which allowed me to complete the build in time for this weekend - and the parts were in fantastic shape, despite his description of them being "less than optimal condition". He also provided the matching transitional Campy curved QR lever to complete my set.

Cudak888: provided the Regina 6-speed freewheel with a range that more suits my 48 YO knees - they thank you heartily!

Stausty: provided the Teflon cable lining (enough to do another 20 bikes, so I'm set for life) and the other roll of Velox tape to complete the bar wrap.

mazdaspeed: provided a Concor Supercorsa (on its way) that looks to be in fantastic shape! I'm eagerly awaiting that topper, but for now have an NOS Supercorsa sitting in its place.

The rest of the components came from my "magic boxes" and the overhead hooks in my garage.

Wheeset: 36h Campy record hubs (with the transitional Campy first-gen curved QR levers) mated to Mavic MA-40s with DT double-butted spokes and Wolber SL-19 tires.

Drivetrain: Nuovo Record thick-cup 70mm Italian-threaded bottom bracket, 1973 datecoded Record crankarms with NR rings, late-version Nuovo Record pedals in near-NOS condition, new tan Christophe toe straps, Campagnolo alloy toe clips, Regina CX 6-speed freewheel and Sedisport silver 3/32" chain. Sure, most of my chains are of the Regina variety, but I love the old Sedis chains, in particular this type of narrow chain. Talk about a smooth and silent drivetrain :)

Derailleurs: 1978 datecoded NR rear derailleur, NR front derailleur, Record braze-on gear levers; new cables sourced from my LBS.

Cockpit: Campagnolo Nuovo Record steel headset, 120mm Cinelli 1A stem mated to a fairly narrow Cinelli Giro d'Italia bar (old crest logos) and covered in Velox black cloth tape.

Brakes: Campagnolo Record nutted calipers with Super Record pad holders and Kool Stop aftermarket pads. I removed the black plastic from the wheel guides - one small modification from stock. Brake levers are Nuovo Record, polished (as received a couple years ago from an Ebay seller) with fresh gum hoods that had been sitting patiently in a Ziploc bag for a few years. NOS Campagnolo grey cable housings/ferrules; the modern inner cables were sourced from my LBS.

Saddle/seatpost: 27.2mm Campagnolo Super Record one-bolt seatpost mated to an NOS Concor Supercorsa. Used smooth black leather Supercorsa will replace the NOS one once received. 10mm Campagnolo seat binder bolt.

Since there's a big clover cut-out in the BB shell, I put in an accordion-type plastic dust-shield. I also used the Teflon cable lining at the gear cable guides to ease shifting and protect the finish.

Other than a little Tamiya semi-gloss black infill treatment to the engravings/flutes, I left off the flash from this one. Didn't drill a single hole, either; it felt sorta liberating, honestly, to build this box-stock. I did, however, do my now-standard trick of removing all the paint from the dropout faces; I absolutely hate the look once the skewer serrations have destroyed half the paint on the faces. I happen to think leaving them completely without paint gives a cleaner look.

Thanks to all who provided parts and assistance - I love the fact that at least half of my fleet these days are bikes that have C&V members' stamps on them, no matter how minor. Group hug :)

DD

LOVE all the black infills. Now I understand what you were going for. Really sharp overall, with some subtle custom detail work. Very nice.

If I were to keep our 1978 Super, I'd be heading down the same road.

Very nice work Jeff.

Per normal.

Very nice work. Carry on.

Very nice work. Carry on.
Good one!

I had also noticed those nice clean droupout faces, DD, but forgot to comment on them.

This bike is so clean and classy, it's making me rethink my "flahsy" build. (I'll get over it.)

LOVE all the black infills. Now I understand what you were going for. Really sharp overall, with some subtle custom detail work. Very nice.

^^^ Beautiful Bike. Well Done. Makes me want to tone my C-nago down some. Simplicity works....

Thanks for all the latest supportive comments, friends :)

I took out my Tamiya semi-gloss acrylic paint last night and hit the two areas I forgot.

Crankset flutes filled in:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7618473094_a556b24ac6_b.jpg

Brake cable anchor barrels filled in:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7618473778_1efff4b0a2_b.jpg

I did a short 40 miles with Alex Moll this morning - took the Colnago with me (I rode the Davidson - again!),too, so he could have a look-see at the finished project in person. We had a good ride, weather was nice and warm (in the mid-70s, which around here passes for warm in the summertime), and good conversation, too.

Once I got home, I had a package waiting for me from mazdaspeed. I opened it up to find a very, very nice used Concor Supercorsa. I wasted no time bolting it onto the seatpost; perfect! Matches the overall look and condition of the bike perfectly. Thanks, Mike!

Saddle and seatpost:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7618474868_fbfd155a80_b.jpg

Overall view (utilizing Justin's ground-level technique) after additions:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7618475390_6bd89d68c4_b.jpg

Just need to get out for a test ride. I thought it might end up being a tad small - although it measures out 56cm c-to-c - but it matches the Davidson for size, including reach and both bikes are using 120mm stems. I just have to tweak the rear brake shoe attachment points on the calipers. On both brakes the shoes toe out/in opposite of each other, allowing the non-driveside pads to strike the rim front first, but the driveside pads strike rear first. Result: squeeeeeeeeeal!

I hate that :)

More another time once I've got that sorted, but for now just eye-candy of the understated kind.

DD