Recently picked up this 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa frame and starting to plan a build (restoration?) around it. I figured it would be fun to share with you all and post updates as things progress!



This is pretty much exactly how I got the frame. That is, in pretty rough shape. No fork and completely stripped except for a bottom bracket on the side. It was abused by a previous owner and the head tube is cracked at the lower lug. So that will need repairing first. At some point it was refinished professionally (before the trauma). I was actually really impressed by the paint quality.

Overall I'm not 100% sure what direction to go with for this project, but leaning towards a custom build / partial restoration of sorts. I don't think I have the budget for a full restoration, but will be hunting for deals on the closest-to-original parts I can get. About period correct is the goal at the very least.

Should have the frame sent out for repairs in the next couple weeks. In the meantime the "casual" browsing of ebay and classifieds has already begun

This is where many of us would recommend Marinoni or Franklin frame for paint, fork and repairs, Franklin for chrome, Marinoni too I think.

congrats ona nice frame

Cool frame.

Is it going to be a rider, or wall hanger? If rider, I guess you could get it on the road, then slowly replace out parts over time?

What’re you doing about the fork? Custom or search for the hens tooth rare replacement?

It'll likely cost a kidney or two to acquire an original fork.

Because the frame's on the large side, I can't imagine it'll be easy finding a period-correct fork with a long enough steerer tube. That search alone might well turn out to be as difficult as finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. From my POV, this has the potential to be an expensive project just trying to get the frame/fork into a state approaching original spec - and even then you'd still have the parts search looming in front of you..

Also note you're missing at least one of the 'Flying C' buttons that affix to the round indentations on the stay ends directly above the seat post binder bolt. Another rare replacement item that likely isn't growing on many trees.

What kind of budget are you thinking here?

DD

For this kind of project, go to Marinoni, 100%
they can make a fork for you, might get lucky, they have boxes of lugs, so maybe you can get appropriate cinelli bits.They can repair the frame and paint it
They are cheaper and better than anyone around.

I, too, own a 1989 SC. Mine came as a frame and fork, so you shouldn't concern yourself too much with "correct" parts. Put on what you want. Not sure what to do about the fork; as others have said, that might be a bit of a challenge. The original features the very distinctive chromed Cinelli sloping crown. Is this something that one could order from Cinelli? Have no idea.

Personally, I think it should be properly restored. It's an iconic frame that's pretty rare.

Actually, they pop up on eBay regularly for not too much money. $10 bucks for the pair, maybe? I wouldn't hesitate to just paint the area a contrasting color; older SC's didn't have the buttons.

EDIT: I overestimated:

Cinelli Resin Buttons

I think that would be a worthwhile restoration project. If you post a pic of the head tube crack you’ll get some opinions from knowledgeable people on repair prospects. The paint and decals on the Supercorsa are pretty straightforward and shouldn’t be too exorbitant a cost, especially if you go powder coat.

https://www.wingedstore.com/spare-parts-85

You can get the buttons and seat clamp bolt directly from Columbus/Cinelli and avoid the exorbitant eBay markup. The shipping from Italy is a little pricy but the couple of times I’ve bought from them, I add in a t-shirt, bar plugs, etc to smooth out the cost. I would contact Cinelli directly to see about prospects of getting a fork; might be expensive but you never know! Otherwise I would just find a placeholder chrome fork and take a long view patient search for the right one.

Nice!

While I believe those may be re-pops (note the black outline - especially on the inner part of the 'C' - appears to be sections of flat lines vice a constant radius), that's a great price, and only people like me would notice.

OP should definitely start his parts search there and snap up a pair - or two, since the replacements (like Campy Cobalto jewels) will likely go MIA again one day, too

DD

Yeah, maybe. I'll look at mine more closely tonight.

It's interesting to me that while we both have '89 SCs, the finishing where the dropouts meet the stays is markedly different.

Shooting for a fair weather rider! The frame is 62cm ctc, with a 20cm head tube. Not an easy fork to find that's for sure. There is this NOS columbus fork with 250mm steerer but the price is approaching arm-and-a-leg territory in my opinion. Not off the table yet, but I think there's more affordable options especially if I'm not doing a full restoration.

In fact I might already have the fork situation sorted; a couple days ago I pulled the trigger on an 80s Tange "CR-MO" Champion 124 with a very similar sloped crown design that I quite like. It's got a 235mm steerer which should be just right to fit a Tange Levin CDS headset with a 33mm stack. Not quite C-record, though the fork is roughly period correct from their racing line. Worst case, off to the parts bin for another (inevitable) build..

Budget, I'm aiming for $1500 CAD to have a road-worthy bike. Very optimistic sure, but not a hard limit either. Really the idea is to keep this bike and grow with it over time. Priority is proper frame repair, a nice build, then nice paint. A full refinish and/or full restoration can come later. All that said, a lot will depend on the final cost of repairs.

Here's a better picture of the damaged head tube. The other side is intact. I think it'll need a new tube because you can feel the separation on the inside. As in the head-tube itself might be cracked too.

And, here's the fork on the way. Again could go either way but I think the integrated crown matches the original fairly well, and the inner crown design adds a little something reminiscient of older Supercorsas. Thoughts?

How do you mean? Looks like the same spots are painted and chromed on both. Except for further over on the chainstay but I don't think that's what you're referring to.

Oooh, man, I feel for that head tube. I wonder how badly welding will ruin the chrome lugs?

I agree the fork is a decent replacement, reminiscent of earlier Cinellis.

It's harder to see on your photos, because I can't zoom in enough, but the stays on yours look like they end in a sort of abrupt line, while the ones on mine more-smoothly flow into the dropout.

Nice project. Once you have compiled your parts list you might want to pay the few bucks to become a paid member here and post the list on the Classic and Vintage Sales thread. Lots of parts in boxes among the members here and usually priced below ebay prices.
Brent

Oh- I see what you mean. That is curious! It is possible the dropouts were replaced on mine given the history. However they look correct otherwise and the alignment seems okay so I won't ask too many questions for now

I think it just shows that these frames are definitely hand-made and unique, not mass produced, as some here would have us believe.

I kind of see what you're saying, but he did mention it had a repaint at some point. FWIW here's the rear dropout on my '89. Also, I think that fork is a good sub. I'd be tempted to throw a Columbus fork sticker on it.


Replacement button bought from winged store

One of my buttons fell out once, so I just painted the recess a gloss black, and honestly, it looked fine. The original button was eventually found and put back in place with better glue...

That fork will be just fine for now or from now on.

Whoever fixes the headlug needs to and probably will look hard for more damage, fork likely gone from a front ender.

This seems a bit odd to me and I would send pics to Cinelli and see what they think, very clean separation, lack of or very poor penetration, maybe?

Interesting project for sure, I've bookmarked this thread

Out of curiosity, did you happen to get a look at the Alex Singer this vendor has for sale? I can't tell if it's a repaint or not ..

Which vender? Might be missing a link.