'83 Basso Gap - new to me
08-31-21 | 04:51 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 159
Likes: 125
From: Falmouth, ME
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale CAAD 5 Potenza 66cm, 1984 Basso Gap Nuovo Record 65cm, 1989 Cannondale ST Racing Triple 27", 1974 Schwinn Paramount Nuovo Record 26", 198? Scapin MKII 66cm Victory, 1994 Havnoonian Chorus 8sp 27"
'83 Basso Gap - new to me
Completed my first ride today on my new 1983 Basso Gap - measures 65cmx61cm, Nuovo Record everything except for brakes, which are Modolo Speedy. I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and responsive the bike was, and that the 52/42 and 13/23 cassette didn't kill me. I was smiling so big on the ride, I was catching bugs in the teeth... It was wonderful. Tires and tubes were replaced with Clement LCV prior to the ride - tires that came with the bike were dangerous! Now I just need to get the seat and new bar tape sorted. Great day!
08-31-21 | 05:10 PM
#2
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From: Goose Creek, SC
Bikes: More than the people who ride them...oy.
Welcome to the Gap Club! You will loooooovvvvve it. They are perfection in my opinion...great mixture of quickness and stability, stiffness and comfort.
...amazed you found one in that size!
...amazed you found one in that size!
08-31-21 | 06:40 PM
#3
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Chicagoland
Bikes: to many to list
Wow, Beautiful bike! Great shape too. I have a Loto myself. Great bikes! Any plans for it? changes?
JJ
JJ
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From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
08-31-21 | 09:39 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 1,400
From: Pico Rivera, CA
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
I love the blue color on your Gap. Before getting my red one I had a chance at a blue one but unfortunately it was a tad too big.
08-31-21 | 11:09 PM
#5
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Joined: Jan 2018
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Likes: 5,200
From: Goose Creek, SC
Bikes: More than the people who ride them...oy.
Is yours an ‘83?
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1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
09-01-21 | 04:04 AM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Goose Creek, SC
Bikes: More than the people who ride them...oy.
I think that's a good year for the Gap because I didn't always like the two-tone paint jobs of later models. Also, later models did away with chrome and had rubber inserts for the top tube internal cable routing, which are fine until they disintegrate, then good luck finding replacements. You can't.
The only knock against Italian bikes of that era is that the geometry was too steep. We learned from Lemond that laid-back geometry is faster. Of course, you could minimize this disadvantage by gaining speed by other means, such as running wide tires with low psi but not so low as to get pinch flats. A triple crankset would help too but it could look out of place to the discerning eye as Campy racing triples came later. But ultimately, it's the strength in your legs that matters most.
The only knock against Italian bikes of that era is that the geometry was too steep. We learned from Lemond that laid-back geometry is faster. Of course, you could minimize this disadvantage by gaining speed by other means, such as running wide tires with low psi but not so low as to get pinch flats. A triple crankset would help too but it could look out of place to the discerning eye as Campy racing triples came later. But ultimately, it's the strength in your legs that matters most.
__________________
1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
09-01-21 | 07:29 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 159
Likes: 125
From: Falmouth, ME
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale CAAD 5 Potenza 66cm, 1984 Basso Gap Nuovo Record 65cm, 1989 Cannondale ST Racing Triple 27", 1974 Schwinn Paramount Nuovo Record 26", 198? Scapin MKII 66cm Victory, 1994 Havnoonian Chorus 8sp 27"
Me too! I was shocked to find it, and didn't waste time handing over the $ when I did!
09-01-21 | 07:32 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 159
Likes: 125
From: Falmouth, ME
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale CAAD 5 Potenza 66cm, 1984 Basso Gap Nuovo Record 65cm, 1989 Cannondale ST Racing Triple 27", 1974 Schwinn Paramount Nuovo Record 26", 198? Scapin MKII 66cm Victory, 1994 Havnoonian Chorus 8sp 27"
I'm so happy with it right now, I don't dare make too many changes. Only plans now are a new saddle, probably brooks or selle anatomica, and some fresh bar tape and cables. The next plan is my biggest - ride it!
09-01-21 | 08:13 AM
#10
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Joined: Aug 2015
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A very impressive purchase 
They ride great!
Yours is in much better condition than mine. My gap was rattle spray bomb. I did a full paint resto. He's a shot of it as purchased and a couple before the build was completed. I painted a couple of years ago.
The Gap is built up with a mix of Tri color 600 and Dura 7400
They ride great!Yours is in much better condition than mine. My gap was rattle spray bomb. I did a full paint resto. He's a shot of it as purchased and a couple before the build was completed. I painted a couple of years ago.
The Gap is built up with a mix of Tri color 600 and Dura 7400
09-01-21 | 11:57 AM
#11
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 159
Likes: 125
From: Falmouth, ME
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale CAAD 5 Potenza 66cm, 1984 Basso Gap Nuovo Record 65cm, 1989 Cannondale ST Racing Triple 27", 1974 Schwinn Paramount Nuovo Record 26", 198? Scapin MKII 66cm Victory, 1994 Havnoonian Chorus 8sp 27"
This is beautiful! Red bikes are always faster. What hoods are those? I have the modolo levers and NOS hoods command a princely sum on fleabay. The currently installed Dia-Compe ones look decent, but I like yours a lot more...
09-01-21 | 12:08 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 1,400
From: Pico Rivera, CA
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
The hoods are repop Campagnolo shield logo from a local seller here in Los Angeles.
