Hello Folks,
I have a not so easy case in hand I think (well it may be easy for the knowledgeable people, not for me right now..) I’ve just bought a Pinarello frame which is, as the seller told, a Montello from 1985. And at the time I bought it I did not have so much info on them and it sure looks like a Montello. (most paint on the frame is stripped by the seller to prepare for a repaint, so nearly no decals to see). However after some extensive research now I have serious doubts. First of all, as far as I understand the Montellos were only built from SLX tubing, however looking through the seattube there’s no spirals indicating to SLX, and on the Pinarello catalogs between 85-89 Montellos are all shown with bare chromed stays, however mine are painted (although the frame is fully chromed). Otherwise all the details are matching. (photos below..)
Other details: Rear spacing is 128 (Not 126 or not 130 either) The only remains of any decals are; what may be part of a white "O" on the RHS of top tube close to the head lug which can be easily flaked off by fingernails (Can be seen in a closeup photo) And at the foremost top side of bottom tube; presumably the tip of the "leaf-frame" around the writings to celebrate the victories of 84 or 88 etc can be seen. (That is a vinyl sticker different than the "O" material on top. And no clear coat on both) The SR groupset from the bike was dated as 85. But the fork not being original makes me think that it might have been rebuilt at some point. What remains of the paint job is quite nice and seemed original to me.
After some more research I have seen some photos of Treviso's from early 90's which matches quite well with the frame I have, in detail and paint scheme.
http://hilarystone.com/frameset2.html
Look towards the mid section you'll see the 93 Treviso.
That's a probable conclusion too, but still I'm not sure..
I have not yet received any feedback from the seller, about how he concluded that this is a Montello (I cannot easily say he was mistaken right away, because he is a really keen collectionist.)
Meanwhile I wanted to ask your ideas guys. The most important question is;
Does anyone know if Montellos were produced in any other tubing than SLX? (Other than the early models of 82/83. They are painted differently)
I want to restore this bike to its original condt. So identifying it is important for me. I'd really appreciate some help. Here are the photos;
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...599resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...600resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...98resizez.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...601resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...603resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...604resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...605resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...606resize.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...607resize.jpg/
Thanks in advance..
Burcak