SJX426 

For some reason, maybe comments on this forum, I have gained an admiration for Pinarello’s. For some silly reason, I have fantasized about having a stable of Italian stallions. Some of you already have achieved that state. Congratulations! I have a number of limitations making such a “dream” a reality that won’t be discussed here. What I do want to discuss is the subject.

I have managed to acquired 2 Pinarello’s. The first is already captured here and is a project intended for my daughter, a Tre Crime. As stated, it was purchased for a song and had a number of non-Italian parts on it, mostly Japanese with a French and American contribution. Sorry, different thread!

I succumbed to a CL add for a Montello in my size. Paid slightly less than I did for my Colnago Supperissimo 5 years ago. The paint is in bad shape, It has visible decals, unlike the Tre Crime which has decal ghosts.

My preference is for Campagnolo parts on an Italian frame. What would be second choice? Maybe Superbe Pro? How about Dura-Ace? Well that is what it has except for the seat post, American Classic, and the headset, Campagnolo. Everything else is Dura-Ace 7200 with dual pivot brake calipers and 8sp SIS DT.

The chrome is in better shape than the Colnago was, slight surface rust, easily removed. The Saddle is a bit beat up. You might say this bike shows patina of being well used but kept fairly clean.
Only rode it around the block in tennis shoes. Rides great! The stem is too long but I have a stash of 1A’s I can use.

Give me your honest first impressions. I am on the fence about keeping it, parting it out or just clean up and sell.

For some reason, I am not able to paste a picture from Flickr. Here is the link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/112094...7644887326301/

SJX426 

65 reads and no comments? OK I couldn't put a picture in the thread starter window.


I have done some research. This must have been equiped with C-Record group (headset give away and a 1985 Cataloge). This paint scheme was called Italian Ice. Haven't seen to many with this color scheme.

Is it really that ugly and does it make you shiver to see DA on Italian? I think it may be an 1987ish model due to the color choice and was the top of the line at that time period. Even though it is an SLX frame, it still weighs in at 22Lbs + an ounce or two.

The Pinarello history appears to be rich with wins. Why isn't there more info on the net or is it all in Italian?

Can anyone offer correction or more info?

himespau 

If you want an italian stable, why not clean er up and ride? Maybe over time work to find a donor bike with C-record parts if you care about period correct? Does it not fit right? Need to get the cash back out of it?

Sir_Name 

I can't offer more info unfortunately, but I can offer a response to your following question:

"My preference is for Campagnolo parts on an Italian frame. What would be second choice? Maybe Superbe Pro? How about Dura-Ace? Well that is what it has except for the seat post, American Classic, and the headset, Campagnolo. Everything else is Dura-Ace 7200 with dual pivot brake calipers and 8sp SIS DT."

While C-Record would be a natural fit for this bike, DA would be quite alright by me. I might replace the few bits needed to complete the DA build, but that's it. You already have the Campagnolo equiped Super to tickle the purebred Italian fancy, no?

That's my vote, for what it's worth. Clean it and ride it. You can sell for another deal down the road anyhow.

The Italian Ice paint smacks of summer, btw. Congrats and enjoy!

rbaisa

I raced during this time period and from what I remember the Dura Ace index shifting was much better than the Campy. If someone was racing they may have switched it all over at some point. In terms of the color, this is not ugly, it's 80's That was bad ass for the time period. I remember drooling over the red on chrome combo and if I ever find a 50cm frameset it will be in the stable!

ashemon

I was eyeing that bike on the DC Craigslist. You can just call it Durache if you are that bothered by it

Old Yeller

Campy Super Record would look nice on that frame as well and might be cheaper than C Record.

Insidious C. 

Looks just like my bike in many ways. My recollection of those years is the Pinarello was a popular frame for racing. They were good quality but a better value than Colnago. Yours has a fancier paint scheme than most. That's a bike you can take pride in owning and not feel bad about riding it hard as it was intended. And Dura Ace belongs on that bike - I would not change that. Hope you enjoy many miles on it.

Gary Fountain

It would be interesting to find out what make of bottom bracket bearings and axle are fitted to your frame. I tend to agree that it was possibly fitted with C-Record initially. I love Italian frames fitted with Italian components but I can't ignore the fact that Shimano Dura-ace was in common use by the pro teams when this frame was new. I don't think a Japanese component group set looks out of place.

Re the Montello frame - I don't think there were any more desirable frames made in the late 80's that the Pinarello Montello and the colour scheme is quite distinctively Pinarello. Perhaps there are other Italian frames that are just as good but the Montello is right up there with the best of them. I'd be very pleased to have this bike in my stable.

White Flite saddle and Cinelli XA stem really suit the bike - my opinion.

Am I a little jealous?? Maybe!

thinktubes 

This. FN awesome bike - don't change a thing.

SJX426 

Thanks all for the replys and the encouraging words!

This is my first real inspection of DA. It is fine stuff. It shifts very precisely with a finish that is extrememly competitive. @wrk101 corrected me, I have/had 7200 stuff from another Pinarello. Most of this is 7402 with the exception of the brake calipers which are 7404 and the bottom bracket which is labeled 7400, all DA. Even have the caps for the cranks! The missing DA parts are the post, HS, pedals (could use the 105's I have) and chain.

It would be a labor of love to convert to Campagnolo and maybe a hit to the backside. So period correct, as many of you suggested with DA parts, or factory correct? Hmmmm...

The frame is stripped as part of the process of clean up. I am getting attached! The paint is a bit rough with the "stains" around the BB not comming out with a good wax. The TT paint is rough to the touch. The chrome is in decent shape with only rust stains near edges, not significant pits. The chrome is cleaning up nicely. Ahhh patina!

My plan right now is to clean everything up and reassemble. The saddle will be treated with leather cleaner and then white shoe polish. Some of the leather has detached from the base, so it will be glued back. The pads are not as effective as expected, likely need replacing. There happens to be white bar tape in the supply box which will be used and all the housings need replacement (white?). The cables are all the same size and in really good condition lending themselves to going back on (ends were terminated with the AL caps).

Cinelly 1A have been my favorite stem but this XA does look good on this bike. It just a bit long.

Yes, I do have Super Record on the Colnago. It works well but not like the DA on the Pin. I have Nuovo Record RD/FD going on the PaTrek 650. Not in love with the performance of that set! The other Pin is getting Superbe Pro. Now that I made the list, it sounds good! Nice variety of parts representing the best of the most popular without going French! Well, hunting up 7400 STI might be in the future too!

Next step away from the bike is to determine year. The paint scheme suggests no earlier than 87. The Bulgier cats jump from 85 to 87 with the "Italian Ice" paint (close to the bike paint scheme) shown first in the 87 cat. however; the 89 cat shows the same paint as the bike which is slightly different from what is shown in the 87 cat with a change in the description to Spumoni. The differnece being a transition from blue to white to green on the top tube and a similair transition on the rest of the main triangle tubes for Supmoni and no white in the transition for the Italian Ice. I think I just talked myself into believing it is from 88 or 89 depending on when Pin changed model configurations. They likely changed based on the cat. year. They are Italian so who really knows?!

It is hard to tell but the investment cast BB is mentioned in both 85 and 87 cats but the one on the bike is only shown in the 87.

Rims are Mavic Open Pro CD.

repechage

In this case I would look out for a Dura Ace headset and maybe a seat post. Before that, a set of top tier tires, with natural sides.
from this time period, (my guess 1988) Dura Ace was the racer's ensemble. Unfortunate for a Campagnolo fan to write.

SJX426 

@repechage I was leaning in that direction too. The current tires are Michlen Pro 2 Race Service Course. Looks to be a decent tire from 2006!

Torchy McFlux

I sold Pinarellos when this one was new. That was around 1989. Their decision to spec it with Dura-Ace was controversial among Ital-ophiles, but it really was the best functioning equipment at the time.
Shame the paint has faded, but I'm glad they haven't changed it much. That big ugly Columbus fork decal should come off. And that American Classic seatpost was probably installed because the bike was a little too small for the previous owner. A DA seatpost would have been on there originally, I think. A DA headset should really be on there too - I'm concerned as to why it's been swapped for the one that's on there.

SJX426 

@Torcy McFlux Concerned? Why?
Cool that you have a history with the mark! So it is likely an 88/89 and possibly spec'd with DA! Good info.

I think you are right about seat height. 58 is about as small as I can go and my other way around the issue is to use a Brook Pro which is much higher from the rail mounts pushing the post into the ST.

The HS is a bit chewed up from installation so it may have been a replacement from the original DA HS.

The original owner passed away so the history is lost. Unfortunate in a number of ways. He was in his late 40's and died of cancer. The bike was sold by a friend for the widow. The PO other bike was a 2006 or 08 Cannondale also a 58. The friend raced CAT5 a few years ago but isn't into bike equipment, its just a tool for him.

Torchy McFlux

The DA headsets are very nice and quite low profile. I can't think of why it would be changed out for the one it presently has. That's all.

It's a really sweet ride. Congrats!

SJX426 

The bike is apart and I noticed the fork has a different number. Actually I noticed this a couple of days ago. Today I think I figured out why and this may be part of the HS issue.
[IMG]P1010757 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Sir_Name 

Well the TT/DT/HT look good in the pics at least. (I'm assuming crash)

SJX426 

@Sir_Name That they do and it rides straight, even with no hands. The fork does have a different SN so I am guessing the original was toast and replaced. At least it was a Pin fork!

repechage

Certainly took a blow. I would not be so sure that the fork is not original. Frames and forks are not tied at the hip in the manufacturing process.

SJX426 

OK that would work well for me! The pedal was deeply scored from the pavement too. What is strange is the right brake lever has a little road rash but he left is fine. Maybe the left was replaced.

55/Rad

I don't have it anymore but here is the story on how I did my Montello:

Full Chrome '88 Pinarello Montello - The Paceline Forum

SJX426 

@55/Rad - THAT is very nice! I suspected good chrome under the paint, which has be a bit puzzled. I can't tell if there is a coat over the paint or if what is on top is the final coat from the factory. There is over spray from some other work that was done with the bike near it. Drops of paint on the frame and spokes. I finally determined that the decals are indeed gone. They were black! The white is what is left and in contrast to whatever the overcoat is. The Columbus sticker on the ST doesn't look like it was over coated nor any of the other decals, or the base of them that is left.

I tried very fine rubbing compound and cleaner on a small section near the BB without any impact. Does anyone have a good picture of what it should look like other than what Bulgier cats show?

BTW, I was able to bend the bar back to normal or very close, can't tell.

55/Rad

SJX426 - while your Montello frame is full chrome, even under the paint, it is not shiny perfect under that paint. Only the "Chromonero" Montello's, which came with a translucent tint, came with the pristine chrome over the entire frame. The other paint schemes, like yours, had the chrome etched so it would actually hold the paint. If you were to strip it, you'd find that the chrome under the paint is rough and dull.

This was a huge issue when I re-did my frame. The Chromonero models were notorious for paint chipping and I actually wanted to to re-tint it but couldn't find anyone who could guarantee it would adhere without ruining the chrome. So I left it alone.

Here is the frame right after I stripped it and the same photo with a photoshopped version of what I originally wanted it to look like. With proper decals of course.

55/Rad

SJX426 

@55/Rad - I was wondering about that! I can see why you wanted the translucent blue! Still, the results are beautiful! Don't see many pics of either Spumoni or Chromonero.