Trying to decipher this Cinelli
07-11-23 | 07:55 AM
#1
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From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Trying to decipher this Cinelli
So I can look it up in the data base.
not sure what that number is. Looks like a cleft note.
All I know is this bike is “gluten free.”
not sure what that number is. Looks like a cleft note.
All I know is this bike is “gluten free.”
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07-11-23 | 12:45 PM
#6
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
What is it? It is another randomly assigned Cinelli serial number that is useless for identifying the build year.
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07-11-23 | 12:54 PM
#7
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Looks like it would have to be a dinged 0 stamp or gack of some sort. 
07-11-23 | 01:10 PM
#8
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From: PacNW
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
it's a 69 or 70 based on the historical list of serial numbers in the cinelli registry
Cinelli serial numbers do not run sequential but you can get an approximate date based on correlation with other S/Ns sold in period
the 3 lug holes started in about 68-69
remember some bikes may have been partially assembled or sat unsold at the Cinelli shop in Milan
/markp
Cinelli serial numbers do not run sequential but you can get an approximate date based on correlation with other S/Ns sold in period
the 3 lug holes started in about 68-69
remember some bikes may have been partially assembled or sat unsold at the Cinelli shop in Milan
/markp
07-11-23 | 02:23 PM
#9
07-11-23 | 06:38 PM
#11
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From: Central Virginia
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Well proves somebody listened to the song then.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
07-11-23 | 08:43 PM
#12
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From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
On Guy Apple's Cinelli Registry, it says the to tube cable guides were introduced in 72/73.
Plus, notice there is a brazed on water bottle boss on the DT (73/74).
Now since this was repainted by Cycle Art 20 yers ago, maybe those things were added.
But, looking at his site for a pattern, I can find no reason the numbers are assigned, not by size, not by year.
Baffled.
Plus, notice there is a brazed on water bottle boss on the DT (73/74).
Now since this was repainted by Cycle Art 20 yers ago, maybe those things were added.
But, looking at his site for a pattern, I can find no reason the numbers are assigned, not by size, not by year.
Baffled.
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
Last edited by Robvolz; 07-11-23 at 08:49 PM.
07-11-23 | 10:37 PM
#14
07-11-23 | 11:15 PM
#15
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,734
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From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Please don't try. Strong men and women have been reduced to whimpering shells of themselves trying to make sense of pre-Colombo Cinelli serial numbers.
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"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
07-12-23 | 01:26 AM
#16
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From: So Cal, for now
Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps
This is why I thought it was a zero and neither of those.
Note how deeply the right side is punched. This explains the light/missing left side of the "0".
Had it been a 2, the lower right line would also be heavily punched. For a 9, the lower right side of the upper circle would also be heavily punched, looking like a backwards E.
It strikes me that there are proper names for all these features on numbers and likely also for letters. I just don't know what those names are.
Note how deeply the right side is punched. This explains the light/missing left side of the "0".
Had it been a 2, the lower right line would also be heavily punched. For a 9, the lower right side of the upper circle would also be heavily punched, looking like a backwards E.
It strikes me that there are proper names for all these features on numbers and likely also for letters. I just don't know what those names are.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 07-12-23 at 01:29 AM.
07-12-23 | 08:24 AM
#18
aged to perfection
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,242
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From: PacNW
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
When I started the Cinelli Registry back in 2002 it was pretty obvious even from the first dozen or so serial numbers I collected that there was no "pattern" that I could discern, related to time, sequence, calendar, or anything else.
one person whose judgement I respect has conjectured that there may have been some obfuscation going on to confuse the tax collectors. That's certainly a possibility.
I would simply suggest that there may have been other factors at work. Frames farmed out to different builders, or hanging on the wall unsold.
my personal opinion is that this is not a problem worth worrying about anymore. A true case of "it is what it is".
/markp.
one person whose judgement I respect has conjectured that there may have been some obfuscation going on to confuse the tax collectors. That's certainly a possibility.
I would simply suggest that there may have been other factors at work. Frames farmed out to different builders, or hanging on the wall unsold.
my personal opinion is that this is not a problem worth worrying about anymore. A true case of "it is what it is".
/markp.
07-12-23 | 01:32 PM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,098
Likes: 9,461
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
[QUOTE=mpetry912;22950941]When I started the Cinelli Registry back in 2002 it was pretty obvious even from the first dozen or so serial numbers I collected that there was no "pattern" that I could discern, related to time, sequence, calendar, or anything else.
one person whose judgement I respect has conjectured that there may have been some obfuscation going on to confuse the tax collectors. That's certainly a possibility.
I would simply suggest that there may have been other factors at work. Frames farmed out to different builders, or hanging on the wall unsold.
my personal opinion is that this is not a problem worth worrying about anymore. A true case of "it is what it is".
/markp.[/QUOTE
Agreed
We have enough info tx to your and others efforts.
We know it when we see it so here we are.
one person whose judgement I respect has conjectured that there may have been some obfuscation going on to confuse the tax collectors. That's certainly a possibility.
I would simply suggest that there may have been other factors at work. Frames farmed out to different builders, or hanging on the wall unsold.
my personal opinion is that this is not a problem worth worrying about anymore. A true case of "it is what it is".
/markp.[/QUOTE
AgreedWe have enough info tx to your and others efforts.
We know it when we see it so here we are.
