55/Rad

In my search for a vintage project, I've come across a Doniselli frame that seems interesting. It looks like it's from the 70's - straight but no discipherable markings (other than the name) and just the right size.

Not to mention it's $45 and it's at a shop that probably wouldn't be aware if it was anything special.

How do I go about figuring out if this is something special? What details should I be looking for that will help date it? Anything else that will help me to make a decision?

Thanks for your help.

55/Rad

T-Mar

Stamped dropouts indicate entry level, while forged generally represent mid or high end. Campagnolo stamped on the dropouts usually indicate high end.

Check the bottom, inside of the steering tube. Raised helical ridges indicate a good, Columbus tubeset.

Reinforcing tangs on the inside of the fork blades, brake and chainstay bridges usually indicate higher end frames.

Check inside the bottom bracket for mitered tubes. That's another sign of high end frames.

Braze-on brake cable stops, as opposed to tunnels, generally indicate a lower end frame.

Lack of brazed-on bits other than gear cable routers and stops usually indicate early 1970s or earlier.

Water bosses and shift lever braze-ons generally started appearing in the mid-1970s.

Rear brake cable tunnels generally started appearing in the very late 1970s.

Front derailleur braze-ons and dual water bottle bosses generally started appearing in the early 1980s.

55/Rad

T-Mar - thank you. This was exactly what I was looking for.

55/Rad

Patrick58

My son recently found a Doniselli in the trash dump. He has fixed it up and is riding it today. He plans on going on th Big Ride in 2009 with the bike.

cuda2k

Dang, maybe I should start hitting the trash dumps in Dallas if you're pulling cool vintage steel out of them!

dbakl

I had a 60s one back in the 70s; yellow with chrome lugs and 1/2 stays and forks. Doniselli was a typical Italian maker; low-end to fairly nice bikes. Nice headbadge as I recall. I bought mine for the oldstyle Campagnolo parts and traded the frame for a Gitane track bike.

J T CUNNINGHAM

"Check the bottom, inside of the steering tube.
Raised helical ridges indicate a good, Columbus tubeset." QUOTE.


With all due respect, SL, which is a slightly older? and lighter tube-set,

is also 'Top Drawer".


Regards,
J T

Patrick58

He lives in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. They got good trash!
I'm sure the dumps in Dallas have a good find or two!

luker

JT - The steerer on many SL framesets is rifled. Whilst on the subject, some Tange steerers are rifled as well.

J T CUNNINGHAM

"The steerer on many SL framesets is rifled." QUOTE.

Thank you for the info, for I have never had my AMBROSI bike apart, (SL) although

none of the tubes of my MONTELLO are!


Regards,
J T

MalcolmsFrejus

Don't ask me how I found this...
Not very helpful, just stumbled on it and thought any info is better than none, and this is practically none.
https://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/cycl...emorabilia.htm
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