joe englert

Just picked this up last night. Very interesting columbus tubing.
Seems like it has different shapes at different parts on the frame. Havent ridden it yet as it was sitting for years and needs some tlc to make it road worthy again. Thinking its mid 80s..friction 7 speed campy...thinking its Chorus? The guy that had it said he was selling it for a friend so he didnt know much about it at all. Dont know about the color...different...but not quite my cup of tea...not flashy enough

side.g

Looking Good, I like the colors

SanRemo

Sweet color combo!

Orrery

That looks great, are those Campy parts anodized? Never seen those before. Awesome.

joe englert

Thanks much. Yes those are anodized...not sure if they call those the "century finish" or not. Dont think they made them for that many years..and im not sure what groups they were doing that to.

Wulf

A bike fit for Santa Claus

Giacomo 1 

Great looking Basso.

Basso was very big into 2-tone paint schemes. I have a 2-tone Basso Gap that is one heck of a great riding bike. From your pics, I'm going to guess your's is a Loto. Basso to my knowledge used only Columbus steel back in the 80's/early 90's. Mine is SL, what is yours?

Well, you don't sound in love with your new aquisition, but I think once you ride it for abit, you will appreciate what a nice frame you have there. Good luck!

Oh, and I love the panto stem! That has to be a very rare piece, I've never seen one...

gaucho777 

Yes, that's an anodized Chorus group. One of my favorite groupsets. Very nice find! Was the seatpost anodized, too? It's hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like it's either not anodized or it's starting to fade. Without knowing what you paid for the bike, I bet you'd make your money back just on those components.

joe englert

Thanks much. Well, the seatpost has no anodizing at all so Im guessing it is part of the group but did not get anodizing...same with the hubs, although they, as well as the seatpost seem to be chorus as well. I did ride it a bit after putting a bit of work in it and it rides grrreat...so I guess I may be in love after all. It is Columbus MS tubing which, as ive mentioned is quite unique looking to say the least....kind of like gilco a little bit. I paid 450.00 for the bike bty...needs some more cleaning and some touch ups but not too bad at all. Here is a pic after a bit of work. taking it for a longer ride tonight. By the way...it is the Ascot model

gaucho777 

I'm trying to decide what is worse: the Colnago bar tape on a Basso, or that you chose to post a non-drive-side shot for your "after" photo. (I'm jealous, btw.)

buldogge

Chorus Graphite (not Century) grey finish... If you decide to change out components I know a guy that is looking to complete a gruppo...please drop me a line so I can put him in touch with you.

joe englert

I know...Colnago bar tape on a Basso??? Feels good....looks good....but still... I did take a drive side pic but it didnt come out will do later
So I take it that campy had a century finish and a graphite finish?? I thought just century. If there were both available, I wonder, do they look the same?

buldogge

No...The Century is lighter and has a polished look, the Graphite is more satin looking and darker.

rjhammett

Based on the seat stay to seat tube connection it looks like a Lotto.
To the OP: the Lotto's had a tendency (albeit small) to break at the connection. Take a good look to make sure there aren't any cracks.

rjhammett

Basso also liked 3 tone bikes. Here is my daughter's 1985 Gap in the 'Americana' paint scheme. BTW I found this at Goodwill last summer for $14.99. She really likes this bike.

To the OP: Very nice find.

Fivethumbs

I wanted an Ascot two tone bike very badly back in the day. Bob Roll used to race a Basso.

joe englert

Just took it out for a 20 miler and it rode great. Love the feel of it, althought the headset has a bit of a notch in it when I steer it..not bad though. Cant see any cracks on this one but the owner said it was a very low mileage bike and I think he was right. I also learned that the "century" finish was only used on the c record stuff...not the chorus...so that explains that. Im always learning!!

Giacomo 1 

Found some intersting facts about MS tubing -

Quote:

Multishape, special tube set developed in collaboration with Gilco Design. Each tube profile is shaped to withstand specific stresses. Designed for competition use, it requires a precise riding style, and improves frame response to sudden shocks.
Cyclex Steel - Weight: 1930 g

From the sounds of the above I'd say you have a very special bike, made especially for racing. I've never heard of this tubing nor ever seen it - until now! You got it for a great price to, especially considering the Campy gear on it, not to mention the rare panto'd stem, which I'm in love with.

More pics please! It's hard to appreciate the tubing form what you've shown. Thanks!

gioscinelli 

Great Basso (in Italian "bottom") and those Campy Chorus parts look fabulous (worth beaucoup d'argent).

joe englert

Nice to hear from the Basso fans. Very frustrating about the pics because for some reason when i try to upload some closeups i get "file is too large" message and it wont load. at any rate here are a couple more. the tubing shapes are very subtle so im afraid i cant get to show them unless i get close ups

cyclotoine

wow that is sweet, you should try hosting your photos on Flickr or photobucket then you can post them big in the thread. no limits.

Rocket-Sauce 

I had a Basso Ascot back in the day. It was Basso's top of the line offering. Columbus MS tubed frames were very pricey -part of their downfall. I think my 1990 Ascot with Dura-Ace and Time Titan Mags retailed for over $2000 when new. That was up in the price range of carbon, and Ti. Back then, for that kind of money, consumers wanted something more than "just" steel.

I loved mine and really wish I didn't sell it. Mine was teal and nearly-neon orange. The "B" and "O" decals started peeling right away so I pulled off all the "B's" and "O's" which got me lots of "Nice Ass" comments.

rjhammett

You are so right. I had a twitch when I was typing.