satbuilder 

Agree.

Looks like three main tubes were 531. The rest of it was?? Falck, maybe?

rootboy 

Hang on there, Aaron. What are you basing your assessment on? That Reynolds decal?

You remember this SC I'm sure.



And the decal that is on it.

rootboy 

OK sports fans. Here are a couple of scans from the reprint Frejus catalog I bought from good old Chuck at VeloRetro. It just says "circa 1960's" on the back. My scanner isn't so good but here is the Professional Super Corsa page.


and a close up shot of the specs. Note that it does not specifically say 531 double butted throughout, but mentions "butted oval to round" fork blades. Whatever that means.

rootboy 

And a scan of the specs for the next model down, the Tour de France

rootboy 

So, I think the OP's frame is a Super Corsa.

So, when did Emilio Bozzi acquire Frejus? I can't find the date anywhere.

BTW, the blue bike above was purchased in 1963 new, according to the original owner.

KonAaron Snake 

RB...I'm by no means sure...I don't know their models that well...but I think the top line model had paint more like mine (the roadie paint was a bit different, but similar), and I'm pretty sure was 531 all tubing. Another sign is the gran sport derailleurs, though record had just come out. Certainly not a slam dunk.

Your link does make the paint look more reasonable as a SC.

I can't remember why I think Bozzi dates back to 40s or 50s with Frejus, but that's the date in my head...late 40s or early 50s. I'll try and confirm.

rootboy 

I just noticed, KAS, look at the color options in that scan. Frejus gray, like yours. Red. Sky blue, which is like mine. And Chartreuse. Which is the OP's color. I think you're right about when Bozzi acquired Frejus. As the CR page says Ghelfi, who started the marque, ran it until 1946 or something.

So, the SC was supposed to have come with full Campagnolo Record group. Which mine did. 151 cranks. "No Record" hubs, etc. But, since the next model, the TdF is listed as being without 531 tubing, I always assumed the ones with 531 decals were Super Corsas, whether full frame or 3 main tubes. I aint no expert either, of course.

KonAaron Snake 

What we do know is:

OPs bike is pretty darn cool...it's in nice shape and, regardless of how he builds, it'll be a heck of a nice bike. I LOVE the ambrosio stem/bars.

Edit: looks like the top line ones were available in many colors, though the real racing bikes were the greyish with red decals...

https://landlordscycling.com/2016/03/...ory-continues/

satbuilder 

Still one of my all time favorites.

rootboy 

That's a cool link KAS. Yes, the team bikes were champaign and maroon. Really cool color combo. I'm partial to the blue of course.

So, I'll have to look again. Does yours have the full 531, slanted numbers, decal on it? And what year is yours, would you say?

Yes indeed, the Op's is a very nice frame. I'm still maintaining it's an SC, of course, until I'm proved wrong. :>
In which case, circa 61, as he says, I like the full Campy idea. 151 crank, if you can find it. A front G. Sport derailleur, if you can find that, good luck. And Universal center pull brakes.

KonAaron Snake 

Mine is a 61'. I can't remember if mine even has the reynolds decal...will try and remember to look when I get home.

rootboy 

I just looked through your album and didn't see a decal. Even with all that patina, that is one cool bike Aaron.

What is the serial number on your bike, Joe ????

JoeBass

The serial number on mine is 94215.

satbuilder 

From the serial number database, that looks like it's right in the time frame you originally thought.

You have a fun project. I can't wait to see what you end up doing with it.

JoeBass

Thanks again everyone for helping with build suggestions. I found a nice set of Universal 61's but was a little disappointed that the cool rear cable guide wouldn't work with the seat stays getting in the way. I lost a few eBay auctions for the 151 cranks, and a great deal on a mid 80's SR crank and derailleur set came along and my impatience got the better of me. At this point, there's more 80's stuff than 60's stuff on the bike, but I get to ride it!

bikemig 

That bike is beautiful. I wouldn't mind modernizing it a bit to get it road worthy. If looking for ideas for parts for the build, this is my 1960 olmo gran sport which is all original parts (other than the saddle):

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ran-sport.html

first post has the parts build that came on the bike

KonAaron Snake 

Very well done! Looks fantastic.

noglider 

How are those brakes? I don't think I ever got to try that model. Their sidepulls from that era were hard to operate, from lack of leverage in caliper and lever.

JoeBass

I took the bike for it's maiden voyage yesterday on a hilly 60 miles and the brakes were excellent. Much better than my 80's Campy sidepulls. Here's a shot of it in action...

63rickert

Great photo. That build is a lot better than a first approximation. The one thing I would say is I have had good experience with the old Gran Sport rear derailleur. Two in use at present and they shift as well or better than Nuovo/Super. When paired with old Gran Sport levers it is a better feel, even nicer than Simplex retrofriction. Not the GS with the knurled knob, the old one with a screw slot. Have not tried it yet with a cog bigger than 26.

The Golden Boy 

That looks fantastic!!!

Congratulations!

JoeBass

Thanks guys. I have the original GS rear derailleur, but I had read it wasn't designed to work with 6 speed (and the wheels I found were 6 speed) so I went with the newer SR (and I had the matching front SR DR). The newer knurled GS shifters I found on an Italvega frame and they feel kind of thin compared to other Campy shifters I've used.

63rickert

Just details. Have not tried to use the GS with a six, it sure does look like it would work. Anyway, Campag introduced six speed hubs and axles in 1961, Regina had freewheels from 1963. I had my first Regina 6 in 1967, total hens teeth, finally located at the Paramount room, Schwinn factory. We used a 5speed hub spaced to 124, there were no wide axles anywhere.
Old Record definitely works a six, if you find one check pivot slop. The tubular pivots had a short life.
Old GS levers are harder to find than old GS derailleurs but they are not too pricey. They can be operated with almost no tension and are a treat.
Frejus was one of the most popular (available) bikes here in Chicago in the 60s. Have not seen one on the road in ages. Your photo takes me back.

JoeBass

Thanks for the info!

curbtender

Nice Build! I have one that's been buried in my shed for much too long.