CroMo Mike 

Sir_Name, I'm tickled to read your comments about your Colnago's ride and handling. I've had mine from new in 1982 and still get a smile when I ride it.

Sir_Name 

Thanks. My boss has me at a family event for the afternoon - having the bike at home ready to ride is killing me!

Drillium Dude 

Bump. I know there's more to the story, plus I just wanna see more close-up pics of this beauty

DD

Sir_Name 

Thanks for the bump - I'll add some pics and a bit of history soon. Spring can't come soon enough.

Now how about that Somec...?? I understand some detail pics are in order.
How do we not have any cat smileys on here?

Drillium Dude 

^ Too dark by the time I realized the world was waiting

I'm going to resurrect the thread tomorrow to show off the (almost) final touches. Still have to complete the clean-up/re-polish/enamel on the brake levers.

Really liking where your project is going!

DD

Sir_Name 

Hah. Thanks, DD. Here's one more pic from the first ride.



As far as final touches go: re-wrap the bars in Fizik white perf tape, trim the cables/housing a bit, replace upper HT race. And plenty of waiting for clean roads. It also turns out that the rear triangle could use some attention...

If anyone can suggest a place in CT/Mass/etc. that is trustworthy for steel frame alignment, I'm all ears and would be grateful. I'd imagine Harris Cyclery is a safe bet. I've also heard good things about Smart Cycles in Norwalk, CT.

trailangel

Nice! Did you mount tire savers? If so got a picture?

Sir_Name 

Thanks, @trailangel. I have a set of tire savers, but have not mounted them. Yet another winter project. The recessed mounting bolt/nut poses a small challenge - I think I have the front sorted (in theory...), still looking for a solution at the back. I'm hesitant to install on the business side of the mounting bolt and screw with the order of nuts/washers that were put in place for a reason. Maybe I'm over-thinking it...

I'll add some updated pictures in a day or two if I can get the bike outside in time for some sun.

trailangel

I want to use tire savers, and I'm thinking something like these fender nuts would work.
Problem Solvers

Sir_Name 

Thanks. Those should do it.

trailangel

Hey, I think it's correct to face the label to the NDS.
(Unless someone corrects me)
I have 30 year old Ambrosia rims, and the labels face NDS.. if that makes you feel better.

Sir_Name 

Thanks. Most of mine face NDS as well. In the end I guess it really doesn't matter much - I thinks it's all just preference. Either way it's a bike. I'm guessing yours are on the Medici...?

Sir_Name 

A few before I can get outside for more.


(Fork paint fill is acrylic)




(SR levers, NR small parts / metal washers. Shifts well, though I haven't used the plastic washers to compare against)
(Most recent thanks to iab, unworhty1 and DD)

Sir_Name 

History, copied from the Campagnolo thread:

The panto'd parts (seatpost, brake levers and big ring) and the frameset were purchased from Belgium on eBay. After winning the auction, the seller (thankfully) contacted me stating that he had 'some parts' that were original to the frame and which had team panto/milling. The frame/bike is a 1983 Colnago Nuovo Mexico ridden by Danny Van Baelen for the Boule d'Or team. I believe primary team sponsors at that time were Boule d'Or/Colnago/Campagnolo. The only race results I can find for DVB from that year are a 15th pl. finish in Dwars door Vlaanderen and a DNF in the Vuelta a Espaņa (he has a few other finishes for '84 and '85 riding for Tonissteiner, including 33rd in the '85 Paris-Roubaix). According to French Wikipedia, the Boule d'Or team had 19 victories in 1983 including a stage win at both the Tour de France and Paris-Nice. I would love to find an old race photo with this bike pictured - no luck so far.


Unfortunately, the above is most of what I have been able to find on the team, bike, and rider to date. Research continues. I'm open to advice anyone may have on tracking down more info, pictures, or Danny Van Baelen himself - it appears that he currently resides in Belgium. I may have a lead on LinkedIn to start with.


Months ago I took a short break from hounding eBay and missed a chance at owning a Boule d'Or team jersey from '83, likely for a steal. It wouldn't have been Danny Van Baelen's based on the size (and also would not fit me), but it would have been a great piece to frame and hang above and keep with the bike. Oh well... Still kicking myself for that one.

Sir_Name 

Could it be? I've been searching youtube here and there trying to spot this bike/rider in footage of races which show record of his entry. I was doing just that while enjoying some bacon and eggs a moment ago, and.....check out 00:07 below.



Of course it's right after a crash. D. Van Baelen DNF'd this race so that could be consistent with the video footage, though my gut tells me the bike in the video is a bit smaller than the subject bike (60 ST, 58.5 TT, 18.7 HT). It's tough to gauge the size of the bike in the video.

The search continues...

sofaman

I can't say I have a ton of experience with either shop, but my visits with Smart Cycles gives me the impression they are more of a mass-market bike kind of shop. Nice guys. My visits and purchases with Bethel Cycle make me think they have a very high level shop, and might be more in line with what you're looking for. Beautiful classic bike.

Repair and Maintenance - www.bethelcycle.com