PTB

A friend sold me this frame. It is some sort of custom frame, we think. Does not appear to have been built up, but there are some tool marks on the dropouts. I'd like to get any ideas you all have about possible makes/models or whether this is truly custom. I'm about ready to build it up with a DA 7800 group (waiting on a hollowtech-compatible BB with Italian threading to arrive).

It's already painted white. I plan to add a pearl white coat (really just to fill in some chips), followed by clear.

Curious if this appears to be close to any known make/model and if I should get a decal set before clearcoating. Given the Columbus dropouts (and apparently a Columbus steer tube) and the Cinelli BB, I'm thinking something Italian. Maybe Cinelli or Ciocc? Or leave it as is as a "custom" without decals?

Details:

BB
- Cinelli BB shell (700mm/Italian)
- Cable routing built into the bottom of the shell
- No unique cutouts, but the shell does have what appears to be "70 443" stamped at the "bottom" (left) side. And, it's hard to see with the paint, but I believe "54 55" on the top/drive side.

Frame:
- Seat tube water bottle bosses
- Chain hanger
- Chainstay RD cablestop on bottom side
- No chrome visible on rear triangle/stays
- Top tube has three external cable guides along the top
- Head tube has pump peg
- Downtube shift bosses
- Head tube is more vertical than angle of seat tube
- 126mm rear spacing (need to cold set to 130 before painting)
- Chainstays are ovalized but not dimpled; no chainstay protector
- Square "die" shaped rear bridge
- Had the LBS check the seat tube, and came back at 26.8 ID (Hard to find a seatpost).
- OD of the seat tube appears to be 28.6
- No touring eyes
- No stamps, numbers, names, or lettering

Fork:
- Splines inside steerer tube
- Columbus dropouts
- Triangle cutouts in the lugs
- No touring eyes

Cl904

1. looks nice... I’d expect a 27.2 seatpost for Columbus tho.

dunrobin

26.8 seatpost are around. Ritchey, thomson plus the inexpensive generics. Looks like a nice frame, enjoy.

T-Mar

A 26.8mm post is consistent with Columbus Aelle or Gara but they typically didn't use the Columbus steerer. I suspect the seat tube was distorted during manufacture or had an undersize post installed. A pump peg and dual bottle bosses would typically put it into the late 1980s but I would expect a front derailleur tab on a high end/custom frame from this apparent era. Most of the prestige brands would have some embossing during this era, so it appears to be either a smaller builder and/or a mid-range frame. It looks like a heavy repaint to me, as I can see runs and inclusions. It's curious that the dropout flats are chromed and show signs of edge rust, but they didn't mask the inside of the dropout flats. I'm leaning towards a previous owner repaint.

Last ride 76 

I have a frame that has a lot in common with yours. Except that mine was made with Reynolds 653 and a Reynolds fork crown.... So what do they have in common?
Most true "custom" builders added special details of some sort to distinguish themselves from the herd, even just thinning lugs, etc. The seat stay caps might be such an item, if they are not braised-in plugs. Mine, I'm pretty sure is student work, good but certainly not elegant. Most top of the line Italian frames didn't come with columbus drop outs.... I'm voting with T-Mar on this one. All the more reason have fun experimenting with the build!
I could be totally wrong, too. Best regards, Eric

PTB

Weighed it last night. Frame, fork, headset and assorted bolts: 5lbs, 14oz. Fork is 1lb, 12oz.

PTB

cdmurphy

Unfortunately, there really isn't anything unique on that frame. There are probably 30-40 Italian, or other small builders who could have made that sometime mid 80s to mid 90s. I would really avoid buying decals unless you were 100% sure on the make and model, otherwise you're just confusing things, and potentially misrepresenting things for the next owner

One nice option are the "Resurecto" decals from Rivendell. They're specifically for unknown repaints, and there isn't any possibility of confusing things down the road.

Bianchigirll 

Welcome to the club!!

PTB

That is a cool option! I actually called Rivendell today. Unfortunately, the decals come in white only, and I had planned a white prarl color. . .

PTB

That was a LOT of paint.

PTB

The top side of the chainstay is either highly polished or chromed but not the whole tube.

As T-Mar noted, the dropout flats are chromed, but not the bodies.

For paint, I might just mask off and then clear coat them.

I also plan to drill a drainage hole in the BB shell.