Vintage Viner
 

I'm looking at vintage Viner tomorrow and if theres anyone out there with knowledge of these bikes, I could use some help; anything. Apparently a 1977, fancy lugs with star cutouts, even on the BB. Sorry, I don't even have a picture to go on. I'm hoping one of you does. TIA.

If no one pops in and has specific information, I would follow my general rules of looking for a decal that indicates the type of tubing and take note of all the components. Obviously take stock of the condition of everything as well.

I haven't come across many, but I saw a nice Viner at a show a couple years ago. It was Columbus tubing with fancyish lugs, and the components were an interesting and functional mix of high-end Suntour and Shimano. It was clearly a nice bike (sorry, I don't know the model name), but I thought the seller's asking price of $300 was steep.

If it fits you and is in good shape at a good price, go for it. It's ALOT of fun to own a great-looking, well-made, lesser-known bicycle. :)

Italian made as far as I know they we're never contract built out of country. I know someone who has one in Toronto Canada that would sell... says it's about a 60cm c-T.

A '77 should come with Campy - you'll be able to judge the bike by the level of the group, I think. I haven't seen any low end viners, but I'll bet that they made 'em. I think the top level model was the Professional(?)...there was a guy that raced one with me back when. It was all nuovo record, with the same lug and bottom bracket cutouts. A nice medium blue with tasty decals, I always admired that bike (and the fact that the guy climbed like a scaulded dawg!)

A Viner of that vintage is likely a very nice frame. A friend of mine has one that he bought while living in Italy many moons ago - he still loves it. I believe they were available only in Italy in the 70's and 80's, but I am not 100% certain about that.

Viner - just got!
 

Viner Frame I just picked up. I thought the price was reasonable. $100 and two 12 packs of Bell's beer.

Does anyone know more about this? VINER FLICKR

All of the stickers on the bike say Columbus Steel. I know that is a good sign. Also, on the back drop outs it says (STAR) SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL (STAR). I know this bike was raced for the one year it was ridden. It was only ridden one year though. The person I got from (friend) had sat on this frame for 10 years and decided someone else should build up.

Any suggestions for this? Anything I need to watch out for? I know the BB is Italian threaded. 111mm work? I believe so. I am going to use a Campy crank..double not triple. I may make a single speed for now, because of money constraints.

Thanks!

A viner professional was made with columbus SL and equipped with nuovo record - there were two people who raced viners around here in the 1980's. This looks to be a late 70's or early 80's one. The word 'Special' meant one-off custom at one time in Italy (or top of the line), but it kinda got watered down by the end of the 70's. It looks to be in beautiful shape - you should think about getting the decals cleared, because I don't think that this bike had a top coat, and the decals will be fragile. 111 will work but might be a little wide. Be sure and get a 70 mm one, because of the italian bottom bracket. Post us some piktoors when you get it going.

FWIW, Viners are still being made (in Italy) and are pretty nice frames. See www.gvhbikes.com for some of the recent steel frames that they make; I think they also offer aluminum and carbon models too.

Yeah, I found their site with a quick google search.

I was not sure on the sizes of the bottom bracket. I am working on some used nuovo record on ebay. Thought about putting new on it...not sure yet. Not sure how to tell that info. "Measure it?", says Captain obvious. Let me know if you have any more advice.

There is a little rust on the bottom of the top tube. Not sure what I should do. The decals are a little brittle. I can tell. How much is it to clear coat a bike? Guesstimate....

well...it is about 5$ for a can of clear from the automotive supply store...if you are careful no one will be able to tell. Be sure and clean off all of the dirt before spraying. Alternatively, you can shoot some clear into the cap and carefully brush it onto just the decals with a small paint brush. Just don't brush the paint to death and try to keep it just over the decals, and again, no one will be able to tell.

Sigh...you just described my first real racing bike. It was powder blue Viner. Bike was nice. I do remember the star cutouts too (or was is a diamond shaped? man, can't remember). I think I had it back in '82 or '83.

Well, there are stars and diamonds on it. They are painted white. There is Viner stamped in the steal tube as well..around the seat tube. It is really impressive. What did you run on it for componants. I would like to put some original componants on it.......or.....brand new! I can't afford that right now.

Unless the frame has been repainted and fittings added, I doubt this is a 1977 model. The design and cosmetics are more consistent with the mid 1980s. The picture is taken from the wrong side to tell but if it has a brazed-on hanger for the front derailleur, then the frame is from 1980s or has been upgraded.

Was this basically the same bike you had? I picked it up a few months ago and the guy said it was an '85 Special Professional. Never ridden, just built up and set on display in a shop in Wisconsin for a long time. The guy who sold it stropped all the parts and I'm undecided as to what to build it into when i get some more money. Probably a single speed or FG since i already have a newer road bike for actual rides. This will be my city bike once it gets out of frame limbo. I have been looking for original pictures of this bike (or something similar to it)all bult up but found very few. I can't wait till it's all done.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2913/vinerframe6jr.jpg

That looks very similary WITHOUT the white. But a very similar blue. The chrome stays makes it newer than mine. The crown is typical of the Viners (flat). Looks like you'll need the rear dropout scews. You might also need brakes with bolts, not recessed bolt (old style Campy's, longer and a bolt). Looks to be about the same size a mine.
Also, you'll need one a BB fixed cup tool to get that sucker out. Watch out too, these are Italian threads (same with headset). Don't buy English threaded BB and headset, buy Italian thread.

i actually discovered that by using 2 old longboard skateboard wheels (large wheels) and some threaded rod with washers and nut, I could effectively clamp the BB cup wrench on then put my foot on the wrench and push or pull the head tube (whichever is appropriate). I actually rigged this up after slipping many times, damaging the wrench and chipping my teeth on a stubborn cup. Now if a cup is difficult I go to my makeshift clamp immediately. Of course you have to have removed the non drive side cup, spindle etc to put the threaded rod through.

Yeah, the guy took out the BB cup before sending the frame. This pic was from the ebay auction. I know about the italian threads so that's no big deal. I believe the screws are in there (im out of town right now and cant check) but they may be very short screws or they might simply have been out when he took the photo. Im sure it wont be cheap to finish this thing off but im looking forward to it. Do you have any pictures of your old viner?

Pictures of the bike? He he, that was like 20 years ago! I do have one somewhere but probably at my parent's house. Good bikes at that vintage were all basically the same:
Italian Frame
Campy Nuovo or if you had money, Campy Super
Cinelli Stems and bars
Campy post
Cinelli #3 Saddle
Clinchers and a set of sew ups for racing
Rigina Ora freewheel and chains
cinelli clips
Binda straps