esbee

I was at the "convenience center" dump getting rid of some stuff and look down in the dumpster for scrap metal only to see what looks like an older Italian road bike. I ask the attendant if I can grab it and he asks "how much?" So, I give him $10 and grab the frame and the 3 wheels that were with it.

So, it appears it's an early 90's Bottecchia with (mostly) Campy components and SL tubing.

What I know about it is that it has Campy drivetrain (cranks, derailleurs, and shifters), Shimano 105 brakes, Cinelli bars and the two matching wheels are Mavic. I did find one FIR wheel w/ hub (which I'm assuming is the original for it). The Mavics have a Campy hub on the rear and Shimano on the front, but the FIR wheel also has a Campy hub.

As you can see, someone beat the crap out of the seatpost trying to get it unstuck. And it obviously needs a few things and some cleaning up, but it seems to be in relatively good shape.

I would definitely like to fix it up and ride it, but was wondering if these are worth anything and if I should actually try to find some period matching parts for it or just get whatever I can to get it riding again?

lee kenney

its a keeper, removing seat post will be a job. lots of posts and advice on this but its worth it. some find, good eye!

Bianchigirll 

I have to move

wrk101

Holy crap!!!! Wow!!

anixi

Seat post issues are best left to the local (BEST) professional. I wouldn't do a thing to try to extract that seat post unless I knew all about the process. A cracked seat tube would be devastating to that frame, from hero to zero in zippo time.

Ecrevisse

The derailleurs are Campagnolo Super Record. The crank is Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The shifters are Campagnolo Super/Nuovo Record.

esbee

Thanks for the advise on the seat post. I had a feeling it would be a huge pain from what I've read on people trying to get stuck posts out, but I wasn't even thinking about cracking the frame.

I think the parts that I would need to get it riding again are: seatpost, saddle, seatpost bolt, tires, brake pads, new chain, pedals, a skewer for the rear wheel, and if you look at the front derailleur, there's a screw missing on the back part of it.

wrk101

Really depends on whether you want to part it out, or sell it as a complete bike. As is now, value is really depressed (but there is still significant value there in the wheels, all the Campy parts, the handlebar/stem combo, and the front fork). Need to get that seat post out as it would be a shame to have to retire that frame.

You could strip it, sell all of the parts (on ebay) and then offer the frame as is, with the stuck post, for sale. Although the price of the frame will be depressed, someone industrious (and maybe over confident) will buy it for sure. Realize if all else fails, cutting it out (very carefully) will work. You do need to make sure the PO didn't damage the frame somehow already. The big advantage of selling as is: you don't have to mess around with post removal (big job). Since you have nothing into it right now, its all profit anyway. You will make plenty on it.

I like projects, so I would probably remove the seatpost. But the smartest thing to do is probably a part out and sell the frameset as is (I don't always do the smartest thing).

For pricing on the various parts, check ebay, all of that stuff sells frequently. Frame as is, with a stuck post, may only bring $50 to $75. The sale of the parts will bring a smile to your face!

Ex Pres 

You've got several BFers near Cary that would probably be willing to lend a hand with your amazing find.

esbee

That's where I'm a little torn. Part of me wouldn't mind parting it, collecting the money and moving on, but then there's another part that wants the satisfaction of making it look good and rideable again. I know it will take some time and money for that. I guess I just want to make sure that based on what's needed I don't sink money into a lost cause -- ie, put $400 into a bike and have a bike that's worth $400 (I know that's not necessarily the case here, but you get my point).

Bianchigirll 

If it is your size and you don't need to ride today, it would be a great project and will be a great rider when done.

Parting out is always an option but IMHO the condition of the RD pulleys and the missing bolt (3215), nut (#217) and 'bush' (#790 hey that is what Campi calls it) really hurt the value.

first I would strip it down and see how the HS and BB look. then do a search on here for ways to remove a stuck seat post. you have nothing to loose by letting it seep for a days with.....amonea? {I hope so I ahve been pouring it in a steerer for a few days** in the seattube. you can always go the route of cutting the post about an inch high and using hacksaw blades to cut it lengthwise.

anixi

I suppose you could carefully put the post in a vise and gently rotate the frame around until it comes out. I'm not brave enough to try it on this frame, but, a much lesser frame, especially PG tube. This one probably has around a .8mm thick seat tube. Scary...

blilrat

Sent you a PM. I can assist the tear down if you need tools.

That bottom bracket doesn't appear to be early 90s. Weren't they still using lockrings up until the mid 90s?

Drummerboy1975

I'd love to find something like that! Its my size too.

esbee

Not sure on the BB. I was just basing the year on others that I found online that were similar and marked as ~1991 models. Also, it has this sticker on it, which obviously puts it at 1990 or later. Not sure how late into the 90's they would continue to put this sticker on it though. As far as other details, I am by no means an expert on this stuff, just going by what little I've found online. Also, I read somewhere that Bottecchia split from Carnielli sometime in the mid-90's, but the head tube badge would indicate it was before whatever year that was.

BTW, saw your PM and tried to respond, but it says I need 50 posts to send PM's (kind of a weird rule since I can receive them). Anyway, I may take you up on your offer since I don't have many bike specific tools at my disposal, so that would certainly be appreciated.

Drummerboy1975

I want that bike.

spathfinder3408

Nice find. I sold a Paul Barkley with a Columbus frame a couple years ago for $400. I think this bike may be up to that value if it was refurbished. Put some break free oil and let it set for awhile in that seat post. Lock that seat post in a big vise and twist bike.

Trakhak

I've seen a car mechanic use an air hammer to extract a seatpost without damaging the frame.