I recently aquired this Bottecchia frame and fork. I have no knowledge at all about older frames and was curious about this one. It has no serial number on the b/b shell. I'm interested in knowing a little bit more about it before I start riding it. I don't want to tell people it's an old Italian frame when they ask, prefer to actually know something about it. Any info would be great.

1970's "bike boom" entry level Italian 10 speed. Straight gauge tubing, stamped drop-outs. These make great single speed or fixed gear bikes for "just riding around". It's not a frame you want to invest a lot of money into parts wise. Build a cheap fun bike out of it.

I figured it was that type of frame from the stamped dropouts. It's going to be a fixed gear. I was just checking to see if it was a frame I should build as original as possible.

+1, I agree completely: this is the perfect candidate for a fixie conversion, it'll probably even be fairly comfortable, have fun!

I hope the seatpost isn't stuck.

It was. A little wd40, some love and and vice grips got it out.

WOW, you just answered my "what to get for Valentine's Day" dilema!