Tango1

The hunt continues for a second bike to add to the stable and I found this Bottecchia. Looks in good shape, but I have no idea what model it is. Columbus frame and fork are a good sign.

Frame sticker states Campione Del Mondo 66-85-86-89 which suggests to me at least the frame should be 1989 onward but the decals don't match anything from the catalogues of that era.





These are the screenshots from the ad.

Mackers

That frame is much older than you think and those transfers mean exactly nothing.

Tango1

Well I'm glad my suspicions weren't wrong -

Mr. 66

That looks very similar to what I have. I believe what I have is I'm guessing early 70's. I posted the serial number if there is someone that could draw a manufacturing date from it I don't know. I stripped the repaint off, I think it was blue. I'm thinking about painting this white. Here's how it stands as of yesterday.

Tango1

That will look sharp! How does it ride? What's the max tire size you think you might fit on it?

Mr. 66

Oh thanks! I haven't had a chance for to do the build up yet I can't give a ride review. For tires though, that thing can take some big treads. I know 35mm will fit, I'm certain 38's will. It has rather long chainstay.

I'll take a picture of the clearance you.

3alarmer 

...your bike pictures, as presented, have no cable braze-ons. I think that Bottecchia was well into adding those by the 80's.
It appears to my eye to be a repainted frame. Whoever did it might have gone with whatever decals they could find online, rather than what was original, and harder to find.

T-Mar

The OP's frame has no braze-ons and uses long Camapgnolo dropouts, so it is definitely a repaint with replacement decals. Frame characteristics indicate no later than mid-1970s. While it could be slightly earlier, statiscally it is most likely to be early to mid-1970s. However, it does appear to be one of the higher end models, having its origins in either a Professional or Giro d'Italia, both which used the same Columbus SL/SP frame.

Tango1

Appreciate all the response and insight, I’m going to check out the bike this weekend. I think it’s exactly what I’m looking for in a second (third?)bike

zukahn1

While the repaint isn't ideal it looks to be a nice resto mod of a upper end mid 70's model as said . My only concern would be while hard to tell from the pics is the fork may not be original so I would take a close look at the front of the frame and fork to make sure there's no damage and take a short test ride if possible to make sure it tracks strait.

Tango1

definitely, I’ve seen the fork on a couple late 60s but it’s always good to have a good once over. I’m of two minds with this bike, either ride as is or throw some knobby tires on for the gravel trails I have around me. There’s around 100-150km of old rail track to ride - I’ve tried 90s mountain bikes and really don’t enjoy them.

if I pick it up I’ll be sure to take quality photos and document it. If the decals are just stickers i want for replace them with period correct ones if only for my own neuroticism.

SJX426 

Google 1972 Bottecchia for what it might really be. The Giro D'Italia and Professional had the same paint and frame. The difference was what was hung on it. It is not light.

randyjawa 

I did some research on Bottecchias several years ago. The OP's is a Professional and is so indicated by the chrome plated seat lug. This is not gospel but it was my take when I was searching out what I had at the time...

Tango1

no worries about that, the rider could stand to lose another 40-50lbs then I’ll worry about bike weight lol

3alarmer 

...just guessing from that one photo, which appears to be a fully chromed fork that was stripped of paint, but not fully polished on the upper fork blades which were painted.
By the later 80's (contemporary with those decals), many of their bikes had fully chromed and polished (unpainted) forks. Might have been left that way to be more in keeping with an 80's look Bottecchia.

Here is what I'm talking about, on a Columbus Aelle frame.

SJX426 

At east in the 1972 Catalog, the seat lug was painted, 1972 Bottecchia (campybike.com). Since the whole frame is chromed, someone may have removed the paint on the seat lug.
What is somewhat interesting is the components listed in the cat. are generic descriptions leaving room for using what ever brand was available at the time.