Campagnolo Visual Database Project
 

A conversation in the Catch of the Day thread got me thinking about this. As Kurt said in there, there is currently no pictorial database of campy parts on the web to help you identify what you have. This would be the ideal resource, really, for knowledge-free muppets like me when they're trying to figure what they've got, and where it fits.

So, I thought to myself, why don't WE do it, the BF C&V forum? There can be few internet groups who know more about the topic (and we can call for advice from the ClassicRendezvous list when necessary!), and since we're all clearly internet geeks, we probably have the other skills too. Most of us have, or have had, Campy pieces, and have pictures. Some of use know a lot about what's what. I'm a semi-professional writer. We could do this, and create a really fantastic resource for vintage bike fans.

I would be happy to be the contact point for collecting photos, and I also don't mind doing some or all of the writing. What we'd also need is someone with web design skills, and a sensible way to pay for hosting. That, and for all of you to contribute your Campy pics and knowledge of course.....

So, who's with me? There's no money in it of course, but there's the pride of creating something really good, plus we'd have the resource there to use in future ourselves.....

Hmmm. Turns out this company

http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/

is only about 30 mins from my house. I daresay with his assistance I could get a lot of the pictures very quickly.......

Sammy, I have the server, website and space - see my link below at The Headbadge.

I also can provide photos of the following loose Campagnolo parts:

NR '72 r-derailer (we could use a photograph of one of the prototype 1966 versions with just "Patent" too, BTW)
NR '79 r-derailer
NR pre '77 fr-derailer
NR post-'77 fr-derailer
Victory RD, '87
Victory FD
NR headset
1963 Record high-flange front hub with curved skewer
1960 Record high-flange front hub with straight skewer
NOS Victory brake lever
NOS Super Record brake lever
NOS Triomphe brake lever w/o lever body
Guircotti NR panto'ed levers, NOS (we can have a seperate section for various panto'ed components - but seperate from the standard ID database)

As for parts mounted on my bikes (pictures of these don't look as good as loose parts):

NR crankset, dated 1985 with pre '77 rings
NR rings, 1985 on Sugino crankset
All Triomphe components

Just let me know if you find you need a photo of any of the above listed components, and can't find an example to photograph. The invitation for posting the Visual Database on The Headbage is wide open.

Take care,

-Kurt

I was starting to think no-one else was interested! I'll have pics of the stuff that's on the Raleigh, plus a Gran Sport RD which is on Gill's Mercian, a Velox RD, an NR Derailleur (but I don't know the year - we should check that), etc etc.

If others can contribute pictures too, it'd be easy at least to get started.

I'd like to try and get photos of loose components on white backrounds if possible though, Sammy. The uniformity of the photos improves the visual aspect of them - and also makes it easier for newcomers to spot the differences.

I was thinking of breaking the database down into two sections - one section devoted to comparing all component variants in a single group against each other (brake levers to brake levers, RDs to RDs, etc.), and a seperate section listed by groupset, showcasing complete groupset photos - or at least, collages of photos for each groupset.

Take care,

-Kurt

P.S.: This reminds me - I STILL haven't scanned Neal's 1975 Raleigh catalogue.

I will look through my parts bin and see what photos I can offer. I think it is a great idea, because every time I think I finally have all my components correct I learn something that shows me that I didn't!

I know that I have an old Gran Sport, a Nuovo Gran Sport, some Gran Sport shifters, a Nuovo Record front and rear from 1976 with those stupid plastic things, a Rally and probably some more.

I have a few odds & ends.

This is necessary!!!! Great Idea. I only have three campy things (too cheap) but I am always looking here in tallahassle!!!

I have some stuff as well. Skewer comparisons and end nuts and stuff...

Photos would be a great idea. I currently use the catalogs and the are woefully incomplete. I have some late 50s early 60s stuff. Let me know where and when you want the stuff.

If anyone is interested in the catalogs, you can download .pdfs here:
http://www.campyonly.com/history/catalogs.html

Or buy printed versions here:
http://www.velo-retro.com/list.html

Yes, Nigel should be a great resource. If he is willing to let you photograph his supply, you should offer to give him digital copies in return. I'm sure he gets lots of requests for pictures before folks actually buy.

I can also provide several pics of, mostly 2nd gerernation, mid-late '80's C-record parts.

There is this pretty amazing site by a Japanese collector:

http://members.aol.com/satorumas/

I don't have any campy parts, but I can grab what I can of good images off ebay auctions that I come across. When this gets done, I'll be happy to add a link the the information on my website.

Let me know what you need. I have:

1959 downtube shift levers
1960 high-flange hubset with skewers
1960 Gran Sport derailleur set
mid 1970s(?) brake calipers
1980 downtube levers (look VERY similar to the ca 1960 set)
1980 NR derailleur set
early 1980s rear derailleur, model 980
ca. 1980 Gran Sport low-flange hubset w/ skewers
1980 Gran Sport pedals
ca. 1980 aluminum toeclips
ca. 1990 Veloce right crank, assorted chainrings, plus cracked left crank :(

I am starting to learn lots of important difference but haven't nailed down dates.. for example, not only did early campy brakes have the flat quick release arms but the cams also said campagnolo brev. instead of just brev. camp, The center bolts also may have said something different... what does it say on the spring holding part of your center bolts, John E?

I think at this stage, I'd like everything. Can people send pics, in jpg format, to:

whinge2me@yahoo.co.uk

Could you please make the filename indicative of what it is, as much detail as you know, ie 1961GranSportRD.jpg

I'll start sorting them into directories, and see what we've got. Of course, I'll need the input of those who know more than me to know what we're missing!

Would also appriciate copies to my PM box.

Currently working on the general setup of the rear derailer database. As I know the most about RDs over any other component, I figured I'd start here for a head start.

As I can't have everything in exact timeline lineup, I'm organizing the list according to the first year the first variant of a new gruppo was released. In the cases of multiple new component models for a given year, the top-end component will be listed first, and the cheaper models following, e.g., C-Record, Victory, Triomphe, 980.

Here's a link to the rear derailer database - input appriciated. Of course, there will be a main database page in addition to this one, with links to photos of full grouppos, and other components such as brake levers, shifters, FDs, headsets, etc.:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_campag_RD.html

What I need in addition to photos: Any and all information that anyone here can provide on the release and cancellation dates of each gruppo and gruppo variants.

Currently, I'm using some info from the Campagnolo Timeline, but the Timeline does not have sufficent information on cancellation years for components, and is somewhat lacking in other information fields as well.

Take care,

-Kurt

P.S.: You may note a photo of a Campagnolo Gran Turismo rear derailer in the list. As you can see, it is photographed on a white backround with good lighting.

If possible, I would appriciate it if any new photos provided to the database are photographed in this fashion, with the derailer placed roughly the same as you see this Gran Turismo in - pulley cage parallel to the ground, parallelogram arm angled about 15-20 degrees to the left.

-Kurt

Hey Kurt, do you have access to Berto et al.'s "The Dancing Chain"? They have Campag., Shimano, and SunTour timelines that are purported to be accurate, although I have read a few minor complaints.

Sorry to say I do not have that book - not to mention many others.

My bicycle literature is derived mainly from the internet, for better or worse.

-Kurt

This sounds like fun :)

I'll be sending pics & info by the end of the week

That's awesome Kurt - really good. It's missing Velox though - of which I will be able to provide a pic within 7 days or so.

I'll send Croce d'Aune pictures (the real croce with the bar).

marty

Sammy:

I'm aware that it's missing some gruppos. This morning, I began adding everything mentioned in the Campagnolo Timeline that I had yet to put in. I just stopped for a rest at Gran Turismo after adding all those Valentino derailers :rolleyes:

-Kurt