1978 Atala Grand Prix....Needed An Italian
 

Seeing as I had a French, English and pseudo-American bicycles, I felt I had to find something that was Italian, and though I perhaps overpaid for this Atala Grand Prix (local CL $280) I'm not unhappy.....yet. The finish is not superb, but not bad given the years and the parts do seem to be all correct with the Campy Valentino gearing, hubs and alloy rims, and even Cinelli "Criterium" bars, which I don't think were standard? It fits my 6' frame well also, though I think the seat will have to go for a used Sella leather saddle. They don't seem to make them with that "Fire" paint color anymore. Just have the 1 photo at moment, will post a couple views when I have the time. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=461400

You have the basis of a very attractive bike. Saddle as you wrote, hoods (there are decent reproductions now) remove the pie plate, no decent Italian after the Cambio Corsa era needed one, I would consider different pedals with toe clips and straps.

Later depending on the gearing... a better quality Campagnolo rear dérailleur. Just for performance and mass reduction.

Thanks for the tips, I am all for the straps and ridding the plate, let me know if you have a good "period" recommendation on the pedals.

Good suggestions all around. MKS and others make road quill pedals which will look about right, even if not technically correct for that bike.

We sold a few bike boom era Atalas at the Peugeot-Nishiki dealership where I worked, and all of us were impressed by the ride quality and handling of even the lower-end models.

Looks good. Atalas do ride very well.

and re-route the brake cables above the bars, of course.
Neat old bike.

Those pedals are original. Are the rims? It came with steel rims.

Before I became a fossil, I had an Atala 104 Grand Prix. The wheels were probably the best thing on the bike: Campy Tipo LF hubs with Fiamme Yellow clincher rims (aluminum). Brakes were also nice: Universal Centerpull -- a nice pair of hoods will help the appearance and comfort of these levers.

Oh right. It had aluminum rims, not steel. Yeah those hubs were pretty good.

More than one Atala has come my way, over the years, and I have always been stupid enough to sell them off. But not anymore. Like the OP, I am a proud new owner of an old Atala, the Record 101 professional, in this instance, from the very late sixties. Another forum member mentioned having an Atala thread. Good idea...

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1434645493

Nice one...The "Professionale"..... the Grand Prix- Yes, it has the aluminum rims, the center pulls are Weinmann's on mine, I guess those were so0metimes substituted. I gave it a quick spin last night on the road, I like the tracking and feel. J Sven

I have a lightly used Vetta leather saddle coming for it.