Winter Projects..One Down, Two To Go. Italvega Superlight
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Winter Projects..One Down, Two To Go. Italvega Superlight
Frame showed up on the Serotta forum and I snagged it. It was going to be simple...I had Super Record to use on it. I wasn't going to try to replicate the original. But all this lovely drillium kept finding its way to me. So it is not a restoration, but it is a reconstruction fairly true to the original.











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Nice! These are definitely one of the undervalued bikes out there. I'd ride that with pride. Enjoy!
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Just curious, what weights are we talking about with these "Drillium" Superlights? Are they even hitting sub-20 pound weights with these bikes?
Chombi
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I had a very original '72 Superlight that was 58cm c-t. With the yellow label Fiamme's and a corn-cob FW it weighed an honest 20lbs.
It's pretty tough to go sub 20lb. without going to an alloy FW and ti BB. Remember most people at the time that thought they were riding 20lb. bikes were most likely on 22-24lb. bikes.
Drillium is not really about the weight, it's about the cool. And the attention to detail that one puts into their build. And if you are careful about ALL the details: keeping cable housings and wires to a minimum length, trimming excess threads off through bolts, trimming handlebar ends, etc. it does add up to a minor weight savings. But to me it's more about the pride I take in a carefully set up build.
It's pretty tough to go sub 20lb. without going to an alloy FW and ti BB. Remember most people at the time that thought they were riding 20lb. bikes were most likely on 22-24lb. bikes.
Drillium is not really about the weight, it's about the cool. And the attention to detail that one puts into their build. And if you are careful about ALL the details: keeping cable housings and wires to a minimum length, trimming excess threads off through bolts, trimming handlebar ends, etc. it does add up to a minor weight savings. But to me it's more about the pride I take in a carefully set up build.
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This one weighs 21lb 1oz. My friend of many years has an original with Fiamme yellow rims on large flange Campag hubs. (Mine are Fiamme red on small flange Campag hubs) He told me the least it ever weighed was 20lb 8oz. If I were to go with some Veloflex tubies, I could probably be close to that. Cannot say about how it rides or brake flex as weather here has not been conducive for riding. The thing I have found interesting on these Superlights is the variation of drillium. My friend's bike does not have drillings on the rear derailleur. Looking at pictures of others, the drilling of the calipers seems to have varied as did the shift levers. I saw levers that were holes and at least one set that was done like mine. Also saw cranks that were not drilled.
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"One Down, Two To Go. " ?
That Italvega is a hard act to follow - Its' got to be one of the more memorable bikes - we'll forgive you if your other two winter projects are his and hers Huffy Scouts.
That drillium is just over the top too.
Drillium...sounds like some sort of prescription to cure whatever ails you, doesn't it?
That Italvega is a hard act to follow - Its' got to be one of the more memorable bikes - we'll forgive you if your other two winter projects are his and hers Huffy Scouts.
That drillium is just over the top too.
Drillium...sounds like some sort of prescription to cure whatever ails you, doesn't it?
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This one weighs 21lb 1oz. My friend of many years has an original with Fiamme yellow rims on large flange Campag hubs. (Mine are Fiamme red on small flange Campag hubs) He told me the least it ever weighed was 20lb 8oz. If I were to go with some Veloflex tubies, I could probably be close to that. Cannot say about how it rides or brake flex as weather here has not been conducive for riding. The thing I have found interesting on these Superlights is the variation of drillium. My friend's bike does not have drillings on the rear derailleur. Looking at pictures of others, the drilling of the calipers seems to have varied as did the shift levers. I saw levers that were holes and at least one set that was done like mine. Also saw cranks that were not drilled.
Shift levers, and derailleur cage were not drilled originally.
They stopped drilling the crank arms and calipers on later models.
I have good photos of mine I can send you if you want to recreate the rings. PM me if so.
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"One Down, Two To Go. " ?
That Italvega is a hard act to follow - Its' got to be one of the more memorable bikes - we'll forgive you if your other two winter projects are his and hers Huffy Scouts.
That drillium is just over the top too.
Drillium...sounds like some sort of prescription to cure whatever ails you, doesn't it?
That Italvega is a hard act to follow - Its' got to be one of the more memorable bikes - we'll forgive you if your other two winter projects are his and hers Huffy Scouts.
That drillium is just over the top too.
Drillium...sounds like some sort of prescription to cure whatever ails you, doesn't it?

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Anyone looking for an 'original' 1975 Italvega Super Light in pristine condition....let me know....I've got the finest one in the world....let me know if you are interested....
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What is it with all the folks signing up for the express purpose of selling their bikes to us? Did the Antiques Roadshow run a spot or something?
-Kurt
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Frame showed up on the Serotta forum and I snagged it. It was going to be simple...I had Super Record to use on it. I wasn't going to try to replicate the original. But all this lovely drillium kept finding its way to me. So it is not a restoration, but it is a reconstruction fairly true to the original.




I like the shift levers, I did something similar by mostly hand long ago, I like the added meat that the chamfer allows.
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Sorry about coming to your post late. If it is 52cm I will buy it. I had one back in 75 and I nostalgia has taken hold. You are right they are beautiful, and the feathered lugs...