Blompson

Hey guys! I'm pretty excited right now... In a previous post I mentioned that I was bummed about my Bottecchia getting ripped off in a break-in. Well, last night I discovered one on OfferUp. It had sat for four months at "0$ - make me an offer" with very bad pictures, so I inquired about size and components. Owner didn't know either of them but said that it was all original.

He asked what my offer was, so I said I could pretty safely estimate 200-300 depending on model, condition, and other factors. He said if I wanted to I could come by and pick it up for $200. Soooo a few hours later I'm thanking him and loading this into the back of my wagon. I know it's no Professional or anything, but I'm pretty excited, especially for $200. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like I came up on a pretty good score here.

All Campagnolo (including wheels) except the Universal brake pulls. Anybody know what year this is? What it's actually worth? It's a bit dusty and shows some obvious signs of wear, but it wound up being my exact size (60cm) and the seller was very cool and was quite fond of the bike.

He had surgery two years ago and it's been garaged ever since. His wife was telling him to get it out of the way, and he just wanted it to go to a good home. The majority of the wear was from the previous (original) owner who apparently special ordered it in BC Canada.

Pardon the ugly lighting and messy garage. Also pardon the fact that I'm still under 10 posts and have to post a broken link to a google drive folder with all the pictures.

drive. google. com/drive/folders/1or3dyUJjIXoDnmeuhhYoy7ZMtUXfR4ZC

malcala622

Pic assist

eja_ bottecchia

Flying G

3alarmer 

...probably 60's or very early 70's with that mix of components. Look at this thread.

MiloFrance

Very nice! Looks small for a 60cm, or are you measuring centre to top?

Blompson

Center to top. Is CTC the standard? I thought it was CTT

Bianchigirll 

Speedway2

I owned the same bike/colour in the early 70's. Loved that bike. Unfortunately, someone wanted it too (stolen).....
Nice score. Enjoy the bike!

Blompson

Remeasured the frame and got 58cm center to center, ~59 center to top. I hadnt realized my tape measure doesn't start at zero. No worries though, the standover height feels like a good fit and if it winds up being a little too small for me once I've got it road-ready, I always have the option of reselling.

3alarmer 

....I'm about your height (6' 2") and generally ride 59-61cm frames. But I have little trouble getting a 58 (c to c) frame to fit, using an appropriate stem length. Especially for a bike in that vintage (most, if not all of them have longer top tubes than what you see in 80's bikes), I would have little trouble arranging that bicycle for a comfortable fit. Keep filling around with things like saddle fore and aft position, seat height, etc.

It would be a shame to have to lose that stem for another, but if that's what it takes to make the thing a comfortable fit for your riding needs, go for it.

randyjawa 

Looks to me like you have an early seventies Bottecchia Model Special. I have owned a couple of these old road bikes and I really like them. Though not exotic and certainly not full Campagnolo, they are pretty to view and, with the right wheels, a treat to ride. This one I picked up for twenty dollars CND and the seller said that he would not let it go for a penny less. Worked for me and this one is completely original...


Also, if you get the bike, and $200.00 is fair or even good, in my mind, take a moment to insert the TTT stem a bit further into the steering tube. If not, sooner or later, the set-up will result in damage.

Blompson

Can you elaborate on this a little? I don't follow what you're saying.

eja_ bottecchia

Blompson

Aaah, got it. Thank you for clarifying.

himespau 

Nice find

eja_ bottecchia

randyjawa 

The stem, if inserted insufficiently, will exert great force on the steering tube of the fork. The less the amount inserted, the greater the force. That force, and believe me, it is considerable, can result in stretching the threaded section of the steering tube and/or even cracking it, longitudinally, over time. That said, the stem could snap right off and that would, without doubt, result in a crash, damaging both the bike and the rider.

Make no mistake about it, I see this situation frequently (not enough insertion). Also, several damaged stems have found their way into The Old Shed.

dmerk2

Enjoy the new find.

randyjawa 

I picked this old Special up last Spring and sold it the next day. As I recall, the bike was too big for me at 58 or 60cm...

Johnnybikes

Nice find, you probably could have gotten it cheaper. Seems like the guy didn't know what he had.

StarBiker

I guess he has money to burn? I couldn't figure out why he offered $200 either.

big chainring 

This is really confusing to me. Are steel rims and Valentino derailleurs the new collectibles? What makes this bike so appealing? I do like the graphics on it. Pretty bike, but stole it for $200?

StarBiker

The crazy C&V crowd including the guy that ships bikes to Mongolia.

It's so easy someone on BF can do it.

I buy them if I am getting a deal, and will even ride them occasionally, but vintage RB's are not comfortable bikes.

randyjawa 

The bike has value, simply because it is old. And, as mentioned, it has a lovely livery that screams vintage. Two hundred dollars for the bike? A decent deal for the buyer, in my opinion.

I am not crazy (or rude) but I do consider myself to be a member of the C&V crowd.