DMC707

This is a Colnago either Thron or Cro-Mor frame - the internal brake routing points to an early to mid 90's operation -- paint is ugly -- was considering it as a project, but seeing some of the paint issues in the photos makes me think this may be a can 'o worms that doesnt need to be opened up, even if a full professional re-spray was in order

Was concerned about the appearance of the chrome around the internal brake cable outlet on the top tube , -- seat tube looks rusty as well

--- But at $250 + shipping, -- its either a screaming bargain, or a RUN, dont walk away type of potential project

What say you gents?

(i dont much need more projects, - but the initial price is sure low enough -- but no bids and its been listed a couple of times says something too


Colnago C94 Super Thron - vintage Columbus frameset for restoration - size 54

CliffordK

Hmmm....

I think it is worth $250. Keep in mind that shipping to the USA is $100, so $350 start price, plus any last minute bidding. Still, it may be worth $350, but I wouldn't go much higher.

The one concern that I would have with the frame is this:



It isn't quite clear, but it appears to me to be internal cable routing that was filled in for some reason. And, some pretty deep rust pitting that has been covered with filler. Assuming you wish to restore the original cable routing, it may or may not be easy to clean out the putty, and who knows what it is hiding.

With some luck, the paint will have protected the chrome headtube lugs. But, you won't really know the true condition until you strip it.

I'm hoping to play around with some Faux Colnago paint schemes shortly.

What do you have in mind for painting? Shipping it out to a professional bike painter can get very expensive.

exxongraftek

$350 - iMHO still under FMV even needing a repaint.

DMC707

That pic you posted was the one that startled me due to the pitting -- but i envisioned something that i could turn over to one of the local framebuilder i am familiar with for a re-paint

ITs not a cheap job , even done locally, its a 4-500$ paintjob. Farming it out to one of the shops like CycleArt or Wanta wouldnt cost much more but the shipping would be something--
So when done, a guy might have 8-900$ in it for a somewhat custom paintjob , -- but if the pitting is truly dreadful after stripping, sadly a single color powdercoat with fresh decals and a clearcoat may be in order for a decent rider

I had been pondering this rascal but havent put in a bid yet due to that little bit of pitting and not knowing how far it goes

CliffordK

There is quite a variety of ORIGINAL Colnago frames, and even a few complete bikes for less than $1000.

You could have a lot of fun painting a custom paint scheme on the bike. But, it would always be a repaint. So, if it was me, I'd try to keep the repaint costs down. But, each person has different goals.

I can't tell about the rust. I think the seller specifically chose to attempt to strip the paint off of the frame in a half dozen places to see what was below, and to show the condition in the photos. Perhaps the paint was bubbling or chipping. I've seen worse. But, there was also a scary picture posted recently of someone who sandblasted a frame and ended up with lots of tiny holes.

https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuild...ust-holes.html

I don't think you are anywhere close to being that bad, but there are some scary things possible. Minor bumpiness should be filled with the finishing process.

You are running low on time, but I'd discuss the job with the person doing the restoration job.

thinktubes 

Agree with TB. Once you factor in all the work and cost of a repaint, you're pretty close to the cost of a nice original frame. Seller states that it already has been repainted once. Can o worms IMO.

DMC707

I'm letting this one go by without putting in a bid- its a possible neat project, but also a possibility of one with some flies on it

i guess the best possibility would be a nice single color job, - and might be a cool project for someone with paint gun skills themselves who wanted a cheaper canvas to start with but still from a big name.

its at less than 3 hours now and still no bids, so may still go cheap. But it has been re-listed at least once because i didnt know it was in my "watch " box a week ago until i was cleaning out old emails and saw the "dont let it get away" email for a prior listing, i just forgot about it

If it gets re-listed again, that tells me the e-bay peanut gallery has spoken on it too

jet sanchEz

Colnagos are not hard to find, keep looking.

OldsCOOL

I wouldnt do Ebay for the reason of 1-no dickering and 2-cant examine the frame....both of which appear to be absolutely necessary in this case. That chainstay has my immediate concern.

Colnagos are very cool but unless you have the appropriate groupset this just doesnt seem to be worth it to me. And I love buildups and old restorations.

zukahn1 

With the rough looking repaint I would say $250 plus shipping is about all the frame set is worth not really a bargain. As presented you would either end up with a very expensive beater or be looking at spending a couple of hundred on paint plus $500+ in parts and labor to build it up nicely putting the finished bike price around $1000 which is about what it would be worth with the repaint. This is assuming the chainstay's and BB are fine as others have said based the pics they would concern me. My instinct on this one is to say pass there are a lot of nice Italian frames out there with good paint and no issues in the $300-500 price range.

DMC707

seller stated it was a re-spray and he had started to strip the old paint but stopped when he saw the pitting on the top tube chrome - the chainstay is an area where he started to remove the paint -- like many of them , it looks like it may be fully chromed underneath the paint- but when the metal is rusting under the chrome , thats bad times for an amateur like me

Its a frame from the 90's, so anything goes almost with groupset and buildup- people built these up with everything from 600 tri color to Campy Record and everything in between - its not an especially collectible model (unless you factor in that all Colnago's are collectible to an extent)

-- But i'm with ya -- i'd rather see it in person than risk blowing 350 bucks --- hate to have a decent re-spray dont and then rust bubbles start coming back on the top tube

CliffordK

If you click on "Other Items", then "Completed Listings", the frame appears to have been sold once on Oct 9 for $280, then two more no-bid completed listed at $249 on November 14 & November 27, plus heading for a no-bid listing today.

I think $249 would be a decent price, but since it is an international auction, the $100 shipping giving a total price of $349 brings it up to about the top of its price range, and quite a few unknowns with that frame.

OldsCOOL

IMy '77 Super has original paint with mild chipping and a few with rust spots. No worries if you dont ride in the rain and bike is kept indoors. Just an extra thought. Well wishes on your search, sounds like fun.

DMC707

Wow! -- Thats unusual for a Colnago --- It is for the best i think for me --- I have a little DeBErnardi that needs some love this winter anyway ---- a cheaper bike from a lesser known maker, sure, -- but one with sentimental value

LOL -- you may or may not have seen the thread about the C-50 EP , but this is the 2nd Colnago in a week i have not bought ! -- My willpower is strong !

OldsCOOL

Get over to the facebook group "Vintage Steel Bikes and Parts". Post a wanted to buy and scan the feed. Crazy rare and desireable stuff on that group. Broaden your scope if you havent already.

exmechanic89

I'd definitely pass on that frame, would cost way too much imo to turn into anything decent, and as others have said, who knows what sins the paint is hiding. If it was $150 shipped I might go for it..