Harlan

Updated 2/5: Done! Thoughts and future plans in post #14.

As some of you may remember, I picked up this Bottecchia and had an ID thread going for it. I still haven't been able to take out the BB to correctly ID the tubing but it's either Columbus SL or SLX from 1989. (Update, no helical rifling so it's SL). It has the perfect dimensions for me and is the same age (I was born Dec '88, pretty close).

Recently I was involved in a cycling accident with my brother and fractured my elbow. It made me rethink some things, one of those thing being: having 2 grand invested in a bike. I've since sold my Specialized Tarmac with carbon tubies and Sram Force setup and started gathering items for my new budget build. Once I sell the fixie stuff that was on the Bottecchia, I'll have just about $200 total into this bike once finished. I'll list the planned build below the pics. This will become my main rider.

As found in the wild, no brakes!



After a little cleanup, she shines! The fork is in amazing condition, but the original white paint seems to be chipping in areas. I don't mind. It's like vintage pre-worn jeans.





Converted it to drop bar, added brake, realized once again that I don't enjoy riding fixed gear after delivering a bike in a trailer with it:



As it is currently, waiting for more parts:



Update, more parts installed. Still waiting on BB and quill adapter.


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And the finished product!




Build list:
54.5cm Bottecchia Columbus SL fully chromed frame, internal rear brake cable routing with fully chromed fork
Shimano 600 Tricolor groupset with FSA Gossamer standard crankset (integrated spindle, Dura Ace 7900 external BB) running 10 speed friction
Easton/Velomax Circuit alloy clinchers with Continental GP4000s tires
Shimano Pro Vibe carbon post 27.2
Specialized Toupe 143 saddle
FSA Omega compact bars, 3T 4GXL 110mm -10* stem, quill to 1-1/8th threadless adapter

I have parts coming in today so I'll be posting more (better) pics soon!

eippo1

Nice looking bike. That paint shouldn't be too hard to touch up given the right paint and some patience.

mcarter

Great bike! I like the setup!

Orrery

Frame looks great; I think I remember that on CL and was sorely tempted (about my size). Like others I'm a big fan of the Tricolor group; I have it on my nice bike. Keep us updated!

Harlan

Thanks for the kind words gents (glad you didn't buy it! ). Tricolor is great value and I got the entire group minus BB for free. I love shifting a 10s rear end with friction. Just takes a breath on the lever to shift it. I got parts in yesterday and will post a new cell phone pic tonight. My camera is still out on loan unfortunately.

Giacomo 1 

Yeah, keep us updated, she's going to be a beauty.

I love the Bottechias!

I run a Basso with the tri-color 600 and I think it is an awesome group. I was pretty sure I was eventually going to convert the bike to a Campy group, and I still might, but the Shimano is so good that now I'm not so sure...

Harlan

Updated OP, still missing BB and quill adapter. Starting to look like a bike. Finally got the cartridge BB out (had to buy the right tool).

I have a question on the shift lever install. They are Shimano 600 Tricolor. They came with Shimano specific silver spacers that fit the contour of the downtube. If I install them both in the same manner (they can be pointing forward or back) then the left lever spring wants it to return to a facing the ground position. Any insight? One forward one backward? That way, the left lever spring wants it to return to a pointing up position perpendicular to the downtube.

I hate my cell phone camera in artificial light. Will take it outside for pictures next time I photograph (when I get the last two parts).

T-Mar

OK, but is it tretubi SL? Did you check inside the bottom of the fork's steerer tube for the helical ridges? Again, I'm wondering if that SL2 stamp should be SL3 and it means tretubi SL. TIA.

Harlan

Ok yes, there are helical ridges in the bottom of the steerer tube. Slx fork?

Bianchigirll 

I believe SL (and SP) sets used the helicoils in the forks also


Great looking bike!

OH actually according to this everything from CroMor and up had reenforced steerers

https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/col...umbuschart.htm

T-Mar

As per Bianchigirll, that is the standard steerer for most Columbus tubesets. You have a full SL frame and not tre tubi. I have no idea why there's a number after the SL stamp. It's definitely an anomaly,

Harlan

Thank you both! I'm excited to get back on the road. So you haven't seen the number after the SL before?

T-Mar

Never. During the late 1980s and early 1990s Carnielli stamped the tubeset separate from the serial number portion. It's always been a two or three letters. Which is why I had you go through the exercises. Conceivably, it could have been an error and should have been SLX or SL3. While I've never seen SL3 before, it would be a logical designation for a tre tubi frame, where only the 3 main tubes are SL.

Harlan

The initial build is finished! I took it out for a quick spin around the neighborhood. Feels right.

Possible future plans include: Cut steerer tube for more seat-bar drop (very likely), track down lower stack headset (market dependent) and switch to white saddle and bar tape (debating it). I might also switch to some ti cages and put the carbon ones on my girlfriend's cannondale, same with the carbon seatpost. Ti would look snazzy on there. Rotate the bars down a bit, possibly find some silver box section wheels.

I need to source more brake housing since...well...initially I had two runs of housing with ferrules at the top tube entrance and exit. I quickly found that the ferrule holes were rubbing on the cable (shallow angle I guess) and removed them. Today I found that the rear housing run was being pulled into the top tube hole and after some rooting around saw that housing *can* run through the entire tube. It's very confusing but I need to get a 3.5-4' piece on Monday morning. I am also running right-front left-rear brakes since my left hand has about 1/4th the strength of my right hand right now. I'm in physical therapy after the elbow fracture.

10 speed (20 speed) friction shifts wonderfully even with Tricolor parts and I was able to use coiled rear derailleur housing (much to Drillium Dude's envy, I'm sure!).

mazdaspeed

Nice!