Remember that "What's your grail bike?" thread? A few months ago I posted that I didn't really have one but if I did it would probably be some high-end bike made in Italy. I didn't expect this but sometimes the ground opens up to reveal an unexpected gem. I saw one of these at FTW's shop a few years ago. When I saw this one last week I made an offer and it was accepted.

Accordingly, a box arrived this evening. I guess I'm starting a new project.

I love that fork crown! Looking forward to your build progress

Its a beauty

Looks nice! I saw that one a while back. Glad you got it!

Exceptional.

Can't wait to follow this thread.

Congrats!

Oooooo, dat purty. Reel purty.

That looks just about perfect. One of my favourite colour schemes.

Looks sweet. Appears to be very comparable to my Tommasini. If it rides like my Tommasini, you'll have gotten yourself a gem. Are you planning a modern build, or classic period-correct Campy?

Jim, that's exceptional! A Grandis is definitely on my watch list. I love all the exquisite details on these frames. Yours appears to be in excellent condition to boot. Is that head badge a decal or one of the engraved ones? I look forward to seeing what you do with it. Congrats!

Looks hardly touched. Congrats - and that's some great paint, lug, and metal work. Nice lines.

Oh yeah, good title choice.

Bellissima!

Gorgeous bike Jim - welcome to the grand club

I love the brake bridge they used on these - very unique, and the engraved head badge is just class.

Yummy! Looks NOS - this will be fun to watch

DD

Beauty! What's the plan?

Congratulations, Jim! Beautiful. And it's blue!

Thanks, everyone! Now for some details...

First we'll get through the negatives and be done with them. Though it looks pristine from the DS it has a few scratches (which I could see in the photos so I wasn't surprised). The worst is through the name on the DT, non-DS. A decal on the non-DS chain stay shows some shoe wear. On the other hand, the chrome is mirror-like everywhere and the other paint chips are pretty minor. For an old bike it is spectacular. That paint just glows. g77, that HT is engraved and painted, no decal.

One challenge will be determining it age. I figure early to mid-80's. It has no serial number unless they put it in an odd place. The only marking on the BB is 55, which would be the C-C frame size. Cable routing is by slots under the BB. There is no pump peg. Rear brake housing is via TT loops. The DS chain stay has a brazed-on and chromed housing stop. The plain Columbus decal suggests early but I don't know the chronology of their stickers and haven't had time to dig it up. Rear spacing is 126. I could write email to Grandis with pics, as they are still in business. Quick internet research in the usual importer Blandford Bike shows he had a fire which probably destroyed all records, and then he sold what was left of his business to someone else.

So what to do with it? I'm leaning toward a non-modern, function-oriented build, not a restoration per se. I have a pair of GP4 rims but the dark color probably won't work. They'd be good on the Gazelle though so I could swap wheels. That would give the Grandis satin-finish Torelli Master rims with 23mm Veloflex Master tires. A compact double crank, possibly Campy derailleurs. Maybe Tektro brakes, maybe Campy, maybe Dura-Ace.

Of course, I have to mention that this a birthday present from my sweetie!

I can attest that [MENTION=191270]ftwelder[/MENTION] 's is a real beauty as I'm certain your Grandis will be as well. I wish I had a better picture.



IIRC, Frank's Grandis is all Campagnolo NR.

Sharon is a real sweetie and she didn't need to buy you another project frame to prove it! Her cookies alone can do that!

Jim, you need to try modern gear. I vote you use microShift integrated brake levers/shifters, disc brakes, and a FSA CF crankset with outboard bearings. Mix it up a bit! Who knows, you might even begin playing the banjo!

All kidding aside, have fun with your next project. Hope to come to the December 20th concert.

Yeah, the portacatena dropouts are consistent with that.

This should be really good, looking forward to following your build, Jim. A belated Happy Birthday as well, your wife wins the prize for best B'day present of the year.

Bill

Very nice Birthday present, Jim. Kudos to the Mrs. & Happy Birthday to you.

Welcome to the club, James. You'll be receiving your induction packet via special courier in the next day or two.

I'd recommend SR for your build, as I tend to get more conservative as the frames become more bespoke. Unless you really must have a compact double, then maybe a TA/Stronglight crank + whatever.

Your sweetie is a true sweetie. The world needs more sweeties!

Most worthy. 2nd everyones compliments.
Looking at the picture of the previous build - what jumped into my head is - "it just works".
My only suggestion is to take a look at tan sidewalls. Tubies would finish it off. I have seen a quality tire with dark brown sidewalls (tubular) that would fit. Forget the supplier.

that word grail keeps popping up. hhhhmmmmnn.....

I like it. It's not as gaudy as some Italians.

How does an Italian product end up with a name that doesn't end with a vowel?

If you don't have a brifter-equipped bike, consider it. You might like it, maybe even a lot. Check out the Campagnolo prices on ribble. Amazing. I got Campagnolo Athena stuff really cheap there, and it works extremely well.

Okay, Snake, Caveman, and anyone else with a Grandis. Post some pics!

Pastor Bob, do you recall the wheels on FTW's bike? Can you tell if the rims are silver in the original version of that pic? I'm thinking so.

This build is going to require some thought.

I had this frame tom...they're actually quite gaudy in their way. Extensive engravings, the parts often had panto...they stick out.