Originally Posted by
Lascauxcaveman
Looks like a Kharkov. Made in Ukraine, so, yes, USSR, back then. That is going by the headbadge and comparing it to the
Ukrainian derailleurs on the Disraeli Gears website. Google around and you'll find more info on Kharkov, which looks like it's still in business.
I'm guessing the stem is a custom-panto'd whatever. Pretty cool job. The fork is almost certainly a replacement; look at all that stacking and spacing above the headset. Someone either wanted to get the bars up higher or just didn't want to have to cut and re-thread the steertube.
Thanks info I am having a good time learning. The owner collected bikes and recently retired was selling some. You were right on, he said he did not cut so he wouldn't have to bend as far.
While researching I came across a few things, none of which are positive but am fairly sure. The dropout has two stamped numbers. The top one (35 on this bike) is the production number and the bottom is the year (86). I saw several dropout pics searching. The highest top number in the 800's. The bottom number was always two digit and fit years of bikes it was tied to.
As for the stem, it looks like a Cinelli 1A although I am no expert. Others had lines on side or top. Some use three lines and were Red/White/Green.