bigwoo

First, let me just thank all of the members who gave me valuable insight and inspiration to work on the Serotta. Forum member VJP has got one heck of an eye for fine detail. He nailed it; It is a 1985 Nova Special w/ Columbus SL

I've been working hard to clear out most of my unfinished projects so I can focus on spending time riding in the peaceful Rocky Mtn's........The last 2 days, I finally had a chance to get some momentum going on the Serotta and then this morning I ran into a stem problem, which is pretty much my own fault since I just made a rapid assumption about what would fit into what...

I love the old Italmanubri bars and was hoping that I could clean them w/ Lacquer thinner and use them with this stem, which I am now officially calling my "Goofy PITA Stem" because of the tightening bolt on the underside combined with a non-slotted bar adapter

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Which apparently I cannot because there is a diameter issue w/ the bars... They are too small for this stem.....

So unless there is some sort of sleeve that I can purchase to make the bars fit snugly, securely, and perfectly, I will now have to use the good stem that I had hoped to use on the Paramount this year

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And, I don't even know if the Cinelli bars on the Paramount will fit into the "Goofy PITA Stem" anyways.....

Please tell me that there is a sleeve/adapter that I could use....

bigwoo

I do also have the option of using these Cinelli bars with the "Goofy PITA Stem", which I like a lot less than the Italmanubri bars

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Anyways, here's a little teaser for you....

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I think that the '74 Super Record makes it look very elegant and vintage, despite the fact that it isn't era-accurate

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due ruote 

That would be the old Cinelli size which is 26.4 if memory serves. You can find sleeves - check velo orange or rivendell.

(edit) I guess all you photos hadn't loaded when I answered that - what's wrong with the Cinelli bars?

bigwoo

Thanks for the tip on the sleeve JB!!! Maybe I can give that a shot!

Re: the Cinelli bars, they are very nice but the Italmanubri bars have this sweet (to me anyways) pre-fab'd slot for recessing the brake cables and they are lighter and they feel very comfy. Possibly more comfy and responsive for taking speedy switchback turns in the mountains....Something about the area between the uprights and the hoods feels absolutely gorgeous for resting your hands...

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(This is the first-and-only pair of Italmanubri bars I've ever gotten to use. I could never afford to purchase bars like this new... And if I could, Mrs Bigwoo would beat me to death for spending 3 figures on a pair of bars)

dannyg1 

I've used an old trick for this many times: Cut a wrap from a soda can and use it as a shim. You'll probably have to go 'round four times for this. Careful as the edges are blade sharp.

Danny

bigwoo

Wow, that may not be a bad idea. You guys always have the good idea's!
I tried some thin bar tape and also some elec tape and neither was a proper shim...
But, does that poly/plastic degrade pretty quickly or will it last for years? (You do mean the 6 pack rings right?)

el twe

Nope, use the actual can.

due ruote 

+1 I should have thought to mention this too. I've done it with seatposts, and no problems after many years.

bigwoo

Oh wow, I think I understand what you are saying... After the top/bottom has been removed cut to size and use the body...

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el twe

You got it. The can should be 1 mm thick, so you'll want 2 full wraps to correctly shim it.

bigwoo

Sweet! Thanks for the help you guys

steppinthefunk 

as for cleaning the bars up, I just used some 320 grit sand paper to clean up my beloved Cinelli LA 84's. I could polish them some more with some finer grade paper but they look great to my eye. Just wrap a small section of paper around the bar and twist, twist, twist and move, twist, twist, twist and move for about an hour.

cyclotoine

I have never heard of a 0.4mm shim. But please show me the way if there is such a thing. As for the cans... yeah it can work, I don't like it... I say sell your cinelli stuff and use the money to buy a nice vintage 3ttt stem that will fit the bars properly. The 1R stem is an unusual design. I wouldn't take the chance.

repechage

I agree with cyclo'..bad idea with the 1R stem. Even with fresh bars they had slippage problems and often creaked even if they did not slip. Cinelli modified the knurling pattern just for that stem.

Now late in the Cinelli bar timeline esp. the one with grooves might well be 26.0mm some of the late stems were...confusing huh, get out the vernier calipers, test, don't guess.