The '77 Colnago Project
 

I never thought I would see this day. There is a '77 Colnago Super on the stand in my shop. What started as disappointment 4 years ago has ended in a rather interesting deal outside of a barn in Dexter, Mi. When the search engine works (it's down) you can find a thread of my discontent in, "I Cant Stand This Kind Of Pain". So, the adventure begins. The bike was built from a bike shop order frameset from the LBS the owner worked in high school years. He was a racer from the start. He set a jr state record in '78 with this bike and pretty much only rode it on the rare occasion. Paint is in restorable condition but needs a decal kit. The 1st gen Cyclone RD was chosen over a Campy NR for smoother shifting reasons. Anyways, here are a few pics prior to a complete teardown, servicing and polishing.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...5DFD617158.jpg



http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...20D7009551.jpg


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...B48D4E0B3B.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...05767D680E.jpg


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...EF7F29F365.jpg

Damn, that looks fun!

Dang there's this kind of stuff floating around north of here? There's hope!

He lives just outside Ann Arbor. Yes, there are hidden gems like this all across the countryside. Last year I snagged the Trek 760 I had been watching for 2yrs.

I found a guy in Port Huron that runs a shop and pulled out a super nice Marinoni SLX frame out of his back room. Said he had more stuff like this and knows a lot of the local riders in town so if I was looking for anything in particular to send him a text. So maybe I may have a hook up hopefully. What's your plans with this?

I have a Mexico from about that time frame, maybe a year newer.

What are the plans? Keeping components the same or taking it back to an all Campagnolo group?

The SunTour Cyclone was his choice in the build....and really, only a Campy NR belongs back there. All else will stay. He also built the rims (red label) but with Sunshine hubs. That I wont pester with. The headset, BB, brakes and pedals are Campy. Stem and bars are Cinelli.

Enjoy, you're gonna love the ride.

Man oh man oh man. Enjoy. Life is good! :)

I bet the Sunshine wheels were training wheels. The bike has a Super Record headset, those were pricey, a shop rat might have purchased one, but higher on the list would be top line race wheels, cheaper stuff for training.

Way back by the way, I was expecting the Super Record headsets to last longer than the Nuovo Record units, my theory was that the smaller, more uniform in shape bearing races would be easier to control during heat treating. But they reduced the mass of the crown race too... That was the weak link in the Super Record assembly. So, overall they were no better but a bit lighter, much more expensive... They did however not require as cleaning compared to the chrome on the Record when subjected to the salt air along the Pacific Coast Highway.

:thumb:

Congrats. Can't wait to read your first ride thread.

He said the ride is stiff. I didnt mention my rider is a criterium series. :)

That Winner freewheel is a 15, 16, 17, 19, 21.

Yikes.

Just a side note....the owner wanted to thin his herd and tossed in 8 other bikes including 2 Trek 820s, a Schwinn roadie and MTB, Fuji, and......among others...a gorgeous '85 Miyata Pista.

Oh and a 1970 Schwinn Stingray (SS).

Please dont hate me. :lol:

52x15 was junior gear limit. Bigger than a 21 way back was considered for tourists.

Similar tastes. If I recall correctly this is your first shot with tubulars as well. Enjoy. Mounting is simpler than it's made out to be.

Right, my first bike with tubulars. Going to go light/cheap my first go 'round. The budget needs recharging.

Pics of the others or it didn't happen.

Ohhhhh-kayyyy :)

Gimme a few hours, I feel a ride coming on.

Frame is now bare. Headset and BB in good shape for reuse. Stem is out but the post is a bit tight. I have it soaking in a PB Blaster bath. It will turn but not easily. Some TLC is applied.

A few vintage trinkets....

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...9A5261983C.jpg

[MENTION=188868]brandon98[/MENTION] here are the two more noteworthy bikes in the bunch.

'85 Miyata Pista track bike (as found, still dirty)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...37EC06E0_1.jpg

1970 Schwinn Stingray still sporting the original tires.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...B0C29CDCF6.jpg

That is a DeLuxe Sting-Ray. note the chrome vinyl strips on the seat, the chrome fenders the thin white stripe tires… only missing the black caps to the rear strut bar.

Not many Miyata Track bikes I bet.

Nice haul, the Sting Ray will probably cover 1/2 your outlay.

Exactly. Lots more moneyed 40+ year old guys wanting a spot of nostalgia than folks looking for vintage 56-58 Pista bikes.