Hi All,

Thanks for the answers on my other post -- I got the Basso home and I'm really, really pleased. I believe I've positively ID'd the group as Campagnolo Athena from the earlier days they were produced so thanks for the help with that. The bike is well used but not abused -- some nice things like campagnolo dropouts, a very comfy selle san marco saddle, Cinelli Criterium drop bars and some cool leather straps as well. This bike is light and sturdy -- shifting is a breeze.

Only one question remains -- how can I ID the date and model of the frame? The only stamp I can see on it is a 58 on the bottom which, since it's a 58cm frame, I'm assuming alludes to that. The bike is very light and the seller told me it was Columbus SLX tubing which seems right. Other than that, I don't know how to ID it...any cosmetic signs I should be looking out for?

Here are some pics...

Well, I'm having problems with the pics...her are the links:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3103385905/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3104216914/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3103385503/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3103385353/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3104217324/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3103385623/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43171766@N00/3103385555/

April of 1988 was the first catalog featuring Athena. These parts were released for the 1989 year. That is the earliest, unless someone replaced the original group on the bike, or bought an old stock frame and hung new parts on it. Stylistically there's nothing wrong with this bike being built in 1989, though...so...Occam's razor sez not earlier than 1989. The same style and parts lag over into the early '90's.

By '92 almost everything was different (https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/basso92/). And earlier? More chrome...see the earlier catalogs on Bulgier's site.

So..'89, '90, '91. Pick which you like the best.

beautiful!

Thank you -- that's great info.

Any idea how to identify which model Basso you've got? I don't see any markings on the frame indicating which model it is.

It's interesting that it has over the BB shell cable routing. My old Basso was from 90 and it had under the shell routing. I wonder if someone gave it the full upgrade treatment in the very late 80s or early 90s.

it apperas there aren't brazed-on bottle mounts on the seat tube...my 1986 basso doesn't have them either...i'd say by '88 or so double mounts were universal...

My '87 Basso-manufactured D'Arienzo has dual-mounts.

-Kurt

Thanks for that info --

Can anyone tell me where the serial# or any other identifying marks should be on the frame? I can't find a thing on it.

Thanks!

Prudy

Check the underside of the bottom bracket shell. That's where the serial number of my Basso Loto is found.

Nice Basso. Mine is from around the same period, not sure of the model, but it has many of the same details. Mine is SP tubing with a 27mm seatpost, Basso dropouts. I got it from a single speed guy and built it up again. Maybe I'll see you out there.

hey -- thanks for posting pics! Very similar indeeed -- exact same color. Do you know what year yours was made?

Oh, and there's no number on the underside of the BB shell except for the 58 which i believe indicates the frame size.

joining the club

Looks as if it is "show off your Basso" time. My '87 D'Arienzo rebadge (presently equipped with a Brooks Pro). Campagnolo Triomphe S3 w/Victory S3 rear derailer:



-Kurt

oh, man...that d'arienzo is beautiful!

You don't want to see the rusty bottom bracket

But it is a looker, no doubt! Gotta love the '80s "grid" look.

-Kurt