thart89

I recently came across an old rusty looking bike at a pawn shop. With a $49.99 price tag and being in need of a new project I couldn't pass it up. As I leave I noticed I might have gotten something pretty nice. Most all the parts are Campagnolo and the frame builder seems highly regarded in Italy. I contacted Somec and they said it appears to be a mid 80's Somec Air with Columbus steel. After my own research it appears to have Campagnolo C Record components (missing the rear derailleur), Cobalto brakes and old Dura Ace pedals. I just wanted to know what everyone thought and if I got a good deal or not. I included some pictures even though I have since cleaned her up to look a lot better.

jet sanchEz

As rough as it is, there is a lot of value here. The components group (with wheels) will probably get you at least $500 if you shine them up a bit and the frame/fork probably about $300 since it is going to need a full rehab. If it were in as-new shape, you would be looking at $1200 to $1500

T-Mar

I'd be very leery if I found that in pawn shop for $49.99. There's no way the original owner would have pawned it that for that price. That's a ridiculous price. The odds are that this bicycle was stolen.

thart89

Pawn shop said they had it for awhile and in the condition it was in no one ever gave it a look. Might be stolen, probably will never know. Looks to me like it was left in a shed or outside and forgotten about for quite a long time. Someone probably figured it was completely worthless at that point.

zukahn1 

I'm not surprised at the sale price from a pawn shop. Even if they pawned it for several hundred originally. As great as the bike is the cosmetics are awfull. Mismatched tires no bartape ugle paint funky pedals, bad looking poorley done dirty looking cables. All desquise the level of the bike.

Bianchigirll 

I agree it could be stolen, but it could just as easily be Dad's or Uncle Frank's old bike that was in the barn for years after they passed away and someone just sold/pawned it for peanuts.

I agree it is rough but a good cleaning will make a nice rider.

thart89

well I have completely taken it apart and started cleaning it up. The chrome on the rear triangle and the fork look just about as close to perfect as you could expect. components are starting to clean up decent but still have some marks in the finish and improper tool marks on the bottom bracket and headset and the front brake is missing the cobalto stone. The frame is off to paint probably need week. Now is it really worth trying to find a C Record rear derailleur to complete the groupset? Thanks for the responses and anything other guesses on worth would be helpful.

Bianchigirll 

Finding a nice C-Rec rd can be spendy. If it was my bike I would look for a SuperBee Pro (still spendy but maybe better shifting). If I wanted index I would get a Sachs Malliard 7spd FW and period DA or 600 RDand shifters

T-Mar

Yes, but given the pittance paid for the bicycle, the OP's got a lot of room to play with before he's got too much tied up. I'd say it's a worthwhile investment.

thart89

That's exactly what I was thinking. I want to keep it pretty much original with the exception of tires, bar wrap or maybe a saddle. Plan on keeping the shifters and freewheel. I figure get it together and maybe use one of the ones suggested until I find a nice C Record to replace it with. Since I have into it only a fraction of what its apparently worth it might be worth spending a couple hundred on...

Bianchigirll 

Very true but as I said performance wise the SupreBee may shift better.

Thart89; who is doing the paint and will be the original color? decals?

thart89

Unfortunately the pattern that was done on the bike seems just about impossible to make look the same and chances are will look like a cheesy attempt with spray paint. According to somec they did come in solid colors as well so I'm thinking Ill with go with a solid white with red pin striping and details like the original paint had. As far as decals I am still trying to find a place to get decals made for this model. No luck so far, any ideas?

T-Mar

I thought I'd seen Somec decals on the Velocals website?

thart89

Good call, they have exactly what I need. I swore I checked there a couple weeks ago and didn't see anything. Add those with a Columbus tubing decal and I should be set

Bianchigirll 

So who is doing the paint? a regular bike repainter? Or a local body and fender shop? Some of the better shops like Cycle Art and Joe Bell can do amazing things.

https://cyclart.com/newindex.html

https://www.campyonly.com/joebell.html

Would Somec repaint it?

thart89

Already talked to somec and they didn't seem interested. Plus the shipping to Italy would be crazy. Not repainting it is not and option unfortunately. My local guy that has done frames for me before said it was no problem saving the chrome and following the points the paint comes too. I'm not really a fan of the burlap bag looking print on it anyway. Don't think white would look nice?

thart89

I found this link that shows the exact paint job that was on this bike. I thought it was the same but none of my components were pantographed and my decals looked slightly different. Also my brake cable runs through the top bar instead of counter sunk in. While mine is also C-Record it appears they this one has delta while mine has cobalto brakes. Cinelli bottom bracket on mine but doesnt have the bars and mine is missing the campy seat post and selle san marco rolls saddle. Fancier or newer model perhaps with same paint job?
https://www.speedbicycles.ch/showBike.php?enr=281

T-Mar

I believe the OP's bicycle is a standard Air as opposed to an Air c.2001. In addition to the difference in rear brake cable routing, the c.2001 had top mouted shifters versus side mounted, internally routed gear cables versus external, a standard shell versus the spoiler shell and a different fork crown.The presence of the Cobalto brakkes suggests it a year or two earlier than the pictured c.2001, when Campagnolo was still trying to iron out issues with the Delta brakes. It's also possible that the bicycle was built up from a frame, as the factory Air bicycles I've seen have generally been SR equipped. Given that the c.2001 is stated to be 1987 the OP should be able to determine the relative age via the serial number, as there's a high probablity that the letter is the year indicator.

thart89

I just picked up a 2nd gen c record rear derailleur for $60. Its in pretty good shape other than some scratches around the top of the pulley cage. Rest of it is pretty flawless. I dont know if thats a good deal or not but most of them I was watching on ebay went for over $150. Frame went to paint last week and should be done by next week. Decals are ordered as well. I will post pictures as soon as its done for whoever wants to see the finished project.

zebede

Campagnolo C Record Groupset with Somec Frame

upthywazzoo 

Shame about the detailing that powdercoating seems to mask.

thart89

That's the one. Thanks for the listing post. Completely forgot about this thread. Powdercoater really hurt the value of the frame. Looks great a few feet away but up close you lose the details. Could be saved with a sandblast, rechrome and normal paint job but I don't have the time or money to put into it. Still a great light frame and nice components but unfortunately life calls for some money now.

zebede

Thank you for sharing your original find, pictures AND the updated pictures from your CL listing.

Somebody may be very pleased to own such an attractive nice riding classic with top end components.
And not care or notice the minor imperfections in inconspicuous locations that you see (I don't).

The nice thing about the powder coating is that you have breathed another life time of riding into this bike.

thart89

Guess it's time to go ahead and throw on the decals, finish the pinstriping and build it. Then on to ebay it goes. Thanks.

nesteel 

Only if the metal was prepped properly. Given the choice between powdercoat, or a well applied liquid paint job, I'll go liquid every time. Personal preference, especially if I'm spending 1200 on a "kit" bike.