RCon

Hi there, I am new to the forums and this is my first post.
I just got ahold of what I believe to be a 1973 Atala Record roadbike from an aunt who no longer wanted it around.
I have been trying to find out more about it because I am looking to sell it since it is too small for me ( I am 6'8)
I took a bunch of pictures but really don't know too much about old bikes. Maybe some of you could help me out?

She said it was her brother's originally and he was very proud of it. She says it is all original except for the wheels which were replaced but the original wheels also came with it so I have them on the side. Also have what looks like the original box of extras that came with the bike

Most hardware I can see on the bike is Campagnolo, the real derailleur says Campagnolo Nuovo Record and had the "Patent-73" stamped on the top (leading me to guess it is a 1973) The handlebars are the only exception and have a 3ttt stamp with the olympic rings

Some Pictures posted here since I had trouble uploading them:
Vintage Atala - Album on Imgur

I can post more if needed but any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Ross

Homebrew01

That's a nice racing bike, but needs some "TLC"

bikemig 

Nice bike; I can't say I've ever seen an Atala made out of Reynolds 531 before. Look like that stash is mainly a few odds and ends (a tool or two as well) and extra wheels. Where do you live? The prices tend to be better in larger cities. That's a fine bike with nice components and a spare set of wheels (probably tubulars are my guess). You should be able to clear $400 for all this in a decent market. There's a campy tool or two there as well that you can sell separately.

RCon

Good to know stuff, thanks! I live in Portland, OR so definitely a great bike market here.

T-Mar

Rizzato, the manufacturer of Atala, typcially stamped their serial number on the drive side of the seat tube, just below the seat lug. It is format is yyfxxxx, where yy are two numerals designatiing the year. I'm not 100% postive on the 3rd (alpha) character but it appears to be a fortnight indicator(i.e. A = weeks 1-2, B = weeks 3-4, etc) and xxxx is the sequential manufacturing number within the fortnight. I'd appreciate your posting the serial number for my database. TIA.

Like bikebig, I'm perplexed by the presence of a Reynolds 531DB tubing decal. Some Italian manufacturers did utilize Reynolds during certain periods and in the early 1970s, the American public had been brainwashed into thinking that Reynolds was superior to Columbus, but this is the first Atala from this era that I can recall with Reynolds. There are two possibilities. First, it was a custom option. Second, that the original Columbus decal was mangled and replaced by a Reynolds decal, which were much easier to obtain back in the day.

If it truly is Reynolds, it should warrant a premium, due to the rarity. The easiest way to tell the difference is via the fork. A fork manufactured with Columbus will have their dove logo stamped on the outside of the steerer tube, which would require the fork to be removed from the frame. Also, the inside of the bottom of the steerer tube will have five, helical ridges (see picture). These ridges are narrow (3.5mm) and very thin (0.35mm), so can be quite hard to see when if the inside of the steerer tube is corroded or dirty. However, all you have to do is remove the front wheel and look up into the bottom of the steerer tube with a good light.

randyjawa 

Sadly, it has been my experience that Atala bicycles, from this period, do not fetch premium value. That said, I tend to evaluate bicycles on what I would sell mine for and, in this instance, I would not let mine go for less than $1000 USD. Which means that I will have it for quite a while.

Best guess to the value of the OP's bike would be in the $450 to $600 USD range, but that is only a guess. Keep in mind that value is a product of what you have to sell, where you are selling it, time of year(in many instances) and your marketing skills. To that list I will add one more criteria - patience.

Hope that is helpful and hope that I am not too far off of the mark. My 1969 Atala Professional sports Columbus tubing...

marius.suiram 

My Atala has the s.n. on the BB. It is 82 M 1949. Probably 1982 made.
And another number 21, probably the frame size.

big chainring 

I think being in Portland you can easily get $6-700. It's a great Italian bike, stunning color, oozes vintage cool.

T-Mar

During the era of the OP's bicycle, the S/N was typically stamped the upper seat tube. It's actually fairly common practice for manufacturers to change the location every decade or upon each rollover of the S/N format. This provides an internal tool for accurate dating. However, this would not be necessary with a two character year code, so it's open to speculation as to why the location was changed. Regardless, it is the same format and the combination of a cast stay bridge and over the BB shell cable routing would be consistent with 1982.

repechage

The bike is a minor project, needs a full servicing.
Bigger frame than I expected. Not a small bike but not big enough for a guy 6' -8".
Lower the handlebar stem, it is too high to be structurally safe at present.
I would be tempted to try and inflate the spare wheel tire. If does not hold air, remove and place those wheels on the bike. Raise the saddle a bit, sell that as a unit. Marginal cycling weather in PDX at present, but good project weather. $400-500
Sell the clincher wheels separate, $100.
Atala was not a sought after brand. Often the best deal for a full Campagnolo bike in the market when new.

RCon

SN: 73A2781
It was indeed stamped on the drive side of the seat post

BB had the stamp 25 on it on each side on the bottom and R on each side of the top

I looked inside the bottom of the steerer tube and could see some semblance of helical ridges that T-Mar mentioned but it looked like only a couple maybe?

I will add more pics to the Imgur
https://imgur.com/a/1rI27

RCon

SN is: 73A2781
Though it was hard to see as it was partially covered by the Reynolds Sticker

The bottom of the Bottom Bracket had "25" Stamped on it in two places while the top had "R" stamped on each side

And as T-Mar mentioned I looked up the steerer column and really can't tell if there are 5 helical ridges but it looks like there may be a couple in there, not 100% sure but I took a few pictures

Vintage Atala 2 - Album on Imgur

Kactus 

The bike looks to be in excellent condition underneath the dirt and grease. If you are comfortable doing an overhaul, do a full service and cleaning for the best price. What size is the frame?

I think $400 is a little low. The Campagnolo NR group could be sold for that separately. If cleaned up, I'd try for $500 - $550.