Identify an 80's Colnago?
 

I acquired this Colnago a few days ago. It belonged to a good friend who passed away a couple of years ago. I talked him into buying it (used) back in 88 so we could ride road bikes together as well as the mountain biking we were already really into.
It's a parts mish mash - some Campy Super Record with a Mavic bottom bracket, headset, stem, bars, and front derailleur. Dura Ace seat post.
Tubing is Columbus, I thought SL but it's main tubes and chain stays are fluted/crimped. Did they do a fluted SL?
I'm pretty sure the forks are replacements. Single set of bottle bosses on the DT.

I don't know much about Colnagos, I'm curious what the model and approximate vintage might be. From what I've gathered it may be a Super?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4286/3...e3c8a6f2_b.jpg

I haven't decided if restoring it or leaving it as is would be a more fitting tribute to my friend yet. Probably leave as is and just ride it.
But that fork is going to bug me :D

A Mexico (but I don't see the decal on the chainstay) or a Master.


Mike

With crimped top and down tubes (plus inside chainstays) my understanding is that'd be a Nuovo Mexico. Should be SL (though I believe some may have been made with EL, I wouldn't put too much stock in that). Your decals are different from my '83 along with the painted stays (not to say yours isn't '83, just noting a difference). Does the driveside rear dropout have two portacatena holes? That may help with date.

What makes you think the fork's a replacement? Tough to see, does the top of the fork crown have the Colnago "C"?
Sorry to hear about your friend.

Velo-Retro: Colnago Super Timeline

Interesting, thanks. There are no holes in the rear dropout:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4198/3...d48b1b5c_c.jpg

And there are no markings on the front fork - I would have expected some sort of Colnago branding on there somewhere.
Plus I *think* I have a VERY hazy recollection of him bending the forks and having to replace them. He wasn't a small man :D
That's looking back a long time though, so not 100% reliable recollection.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4258/3...0e55fcfd_c.jpg

A Super has crimps only inside the chainstays, round everywhere else. My guess is that's an early 80's Nuovo Mexico, as I believe the Master, from a few years later, always had 2 sets bottle bosses. I'm sure others with more knowledge will check in.

Fork also looks to be a replacement. Very nice bike!

Isn't '83 a little early for EL? Pretty bike

Whatever it is, it's a pretty bike. What's the G1 on the dropout?

Yes, just meant that I remember reading that some of the later ones may have been EL. I should have left that out. Looks like EL was introduced ~89? Not sure on the date of the last Nuovo Mexicos, but I doubt that claim. Either way, OP's would be SL.

The paint/chrome on this one lines up with an '85 found here through a search (well, excluding color). No portacatena holes could also suggest later than the ~82-83 introduction.

This is great, thanks for all the info/insight!
So, how hard is it to find a correct fork, and would I have to sell a kidney? What's on there is fine for now, but i'll keep my eyes peeled now that I know what I have.

thanks again!

I'm surprised no Colnago experts have chimed in. I haven't researched but was looking at one for a daily rider. Looked very similar in fork and pretty sure it was late 80's, and I think one bottle as well.

There are a few steel Colnago forks on eBay now. I wasn't expecting that. I think you want one fully chromed, sloping crown w/ a C and clover at the top of the crown on either side. The one for $179 and free shipping looks correct on my phone, though the chrome is rough. Steerer tubes can be cut or replaced if incompatible length for your frame/HS, not ideal though. I'd avoid getting a too-short fork and replacing w/ longer steerer tube if at all possible. Keep an eye out, measure the current steerer tube length so you know what to look for. A little long on a find isn't too bad, a little too short is. You don't want to ruin the chrome and you won't be painting to match the frame.

Check for ripples under top and down tubes behind the head tube with sight/feel/straight edge.
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After checking the $179 eBay listing on the home computer I don't think that'd be completely correct, but I certainly could be wrong. And it might just work for your purposes if steerer is long enough. I'd expect the tangs on the inside of the fork blades coming down from the fork crown to have windows, the eBay one does not (I'm using this listing as a reference rather than suggestion, but it might work for you depending on a number of factors). If you remove the rear wheel are the rear dropouts Colnago or Campagnolo branded? Fork ends should match the rear DOs re Colnago/Campagnolo, but whatever works for you - depends how picky you are.

I'm basing most of my guesses on my ~'82-83 Nuovo Mexico, so the fork crown style may have changed slightly, someone with more knowledge than I should know. Here's a couple shots of my fork crown for reference. Again, yours may or may not differ. I'd guess yours is closer to '85ish.

http://i.imgur.com/05kPUCM.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/jy7pv0c.jpg?1

Another C&V'ers '85ish, similar paint application w/ different color. Decals are different, but similar with that exception:
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...vo-mexico.html

I'm guessing around '83. Could be a Nuovo Mexico (crimping says so, but I'm surprised at the lack of chromed head lugs). Fork should look exactly like @Sir_Name has in his photos above.

This replacement fork, whatever it is, got really close to the shape of the original. Rake and crown look almost identical to the true fork - just lacking the clover and C.

Personally I'd not worry about the fork and ride it as-is - well, after replacing all the cables and making sure the tires are up to snuff. Oh, and yeah, you gotta ace that bar tape!

Nice score there :)

DD

Totally. Enjoy the score, feesh! That fork sure is a fork, so ride it! If you find something else down the line that you want and it fits, go for it. These are a blast to ride.

Thanks for this! Gives me lots to go on. I'm in no hurry to replace them but it's great to have a good idea what to be looking for - eventually the right ones will show up.
The dropouts are Campagnolo branded.

I'd say that sounds like pretty solid advice :thumb:
:roflmao2: at the bar tape comment.


And that is too - thanks fellas!

My 83ish Supperissimo has Colnago front DO's and Campagnolo rear DO's. Pretty sure the fork is original.

Pretty bicycle there, Colnagos in red always look a cut above to me. I like the looks of the fork on it, but that is a personal decision for you to make.

A +1 for [MENTION=168558]Drillium Dude[/MENTION], I'd take what he said above, that fork should be fine for now. And if it were mine, it would be disassembled completely and cleaned thoroughly. Then a slow meticulous reassembly using plenty of quality grease, anti-seize paste where appropriate, and other assembly items for a quality level job. It deserves no less, and your keeping it going is a great tribute to you buddy, good on you for that.

Be sure to keep posting as you go forward no matter how you decide to proceed. You have us hooked, please don't leave us dangling

Huh - good data point. Thanks.

Quick update, it's back from being tuned up with fresh grease everywhere, new cables and housings, trued wheels, and for [MENTION=168558]Drillium Dude[/MENTION] - the bar tape has been aced :D

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4747/...9d7c67cf_b.jpg

It got a clean bill of health with the exception of the headset. The guts of the Mavic were destroyed, so it has a temporary cheap headset of unknown origin. I'll keep my eyes open for a decent deal on a Super Record headset to pop up, but for now at least, it's ready to ride... if it would ever stop raining here :notamused:

That cleaned up nicely - good job. I hope it stops raining so you can get it out for a test ride soon :)

DD

Don’t underestimate a cheap headset, sometimes they last longer than pricey ones.

Great looking bike.

This frame is the same as Saronni's 1982's Goodwood reserve bike. The winning bike has chromed seat stays.

I've been experimenting with, I think Stronglight Sealed Bearing Headsets.

I've seen people selling parts out of the old Campy SR headsets if you can get away with cleaning it up, replacing bearings, and perhaps a new crown race.

Nice!

Gorgeous Colnago. Love the Club!