Senhor Colnago

Ian, very cool. No need to help with setup--it's done already. We should be ready to print very soon. These will need to be hand-trimmed...that's easy.

I'll let you know how much a set plus shipping is as soon as I have some ready to go. My suggestion is that you purchase 2 sets so you have a spare. I'll be printing 4 sets only.

Italuminium: Couldn't agree more...

vmail

Surprisingly, the old thread comes alive!) But with this new info, I have to review all the things with microscope.... Unfortunately, I've got my frameset without stem and seat post (and it is a problem for the restoration).

Senhor Colnago

Stem could be a problem, although a number of years of Colnago team TT bicycles used this stem and headset (1980-'83 or '84), so there are some out there, or of course you could fabricate one or have one fabricated.

The 25mm Campagnolo Super Record alloy fluted seat posts, do pop up on Ebay frequently. These are what were used, turned down on a lathe to 23mm OD. This is a one-hour project, but requires a four-jaw non-scrolling chuck to properly secure it in the lathe.

Shout if you need decals. Should be done in 2-3 weeks.

--Senhor Colnago

vmail

Thanks for that info! Only one question: are you really sure (SORRY) about that 23mm OD? I've found (and it corresponds to my own approximate measures) that ID for the seat tube is rather 24mm..... Of course, it can be the case when the seat clamp is widened or even damaged a little bit with the non-proper seat posts in the past.. The frame set really got a history, yeah...

Senhor Colnago

I turned the NOS Campag 25mm Super Record seatpost down to 23mm myself, and it is a perfect fit into my seat tube...

KvltBryce

Senior Colnago.

You are doing a wonderful service to cycling history, with your beautiful restoration.

I commend you and your beautiful Colnago!

Senhor Colnago

Thank you for the kind words!

vmail

+100500

Senhor Colnago

Decals were finished today. The artwork was quite a challenge, as it differs in many ways from any other Colnago artwork--including logo art--of the era. I've solvent ink printed them on best quality gloss white and clear sign vinyl.

The chainstay protector on this bike is merely aluminum foil tape placed for effect to mimic a production Mexico street bike frame.

Remaining to be completed on my bike now is the decaling, replacing the brake lever hoods with NOS gum rubber ones, shifter cables, bar tape, and chain.

Photos soon.

Alan Edwards

Wow

Kactus

I can't wait to see the completed bike... it should be fantastic!

Vonruden

Awesome thread, will be following with envy and anticipation.

Senhor Colnago

Well, I got it striped, applied our custom-printed decals, found a correct water bottle and holder, and attended to the myriad remaining build and setup details that these projects all seem to see at the end...so here are a few of the more than 100 shots I took in our studio. Enjoy!

I have 3 additional sets of custom-designed solvent ink printed labels, laminated with transparent film for durability, available for sale. They of course will only fit the '80 TT team bikes. But if anyone out there is also restoring one, PM me. These decal labels had to be created from SCRATCH, including designing the letters, which are not any standard type face. Something like 30 hours of time in Adobe Illustrator. Notice also that Ernesto's signature on this bike has his last name first. There was also a typo or translation error: on the seat tube the legend reads, "MADE ITALY". We kept the error in!

repechage

I like the result, the stem scares me a bit as so much is exposed and it is so thin, but that is just conservative me.
The bike holds up well to detail shots too.
Interesting the fork reinforcements used on the chainstays and the delicate stops for the shift levers.

Senhor Colnago

After completing this build and riding it a bit, it's obvious to me that the philosophy of this bike seems to have been to build for lightness and aerodynamics (such as they were in 1980) within the rule structure of Olympic TT competition. This places less emphasis on long-term durability. However, the 33+ year-old frame is straight and true and tracks perfectly. The headset races show no sign of pitting, perhaps because the head tube is so long.

The weakest point on the whole frame is the front derailleur mount tab, which is flat, light gauge and very underbuilt. I don't see how it could have lasted 100km, much less as long as it has. It remains undistorted though the derailleur must be very carefully snugged-up and aligned.

The frame is very flexible under power...

Gary Fountain

Such a fascinating thread - Brilliant reading. I've really enjoyed the investigation and restoration process.

Giacomo 1 

Very, very nicely done!

You might want to send those very beautiful pics off to Colnago and see what they think of the restoration of this important bike. They might even make you an offer if they need one for their collection.

I do agree with repechage about that stem though. Kind of scary high. But the detail work you did really has paid off, because the bike is beautiful from every angle. I find making any frame flex under power makes me feel good, simply because I still can! (on a good day anyway!)

Great thread, thanks for sharing!

Senhor Colnago

Yep. Scary high, and tapering down to 15mm. It's a VERY stout aluminum forging by 3TTT.

Thanks for the kind and very encouraging comments! This is my first restoration.

gaucho777 

Wonderful thread! I've been following the thread for a while, but without much to contribute. Now that you are finished, I want to commend you on a fantastic restoration. Such fine attention to detail. For your first restoration, you knocked it out of the park. Bellissimo!

Citoyen du Monde

Back in college, I had that Colnago poster, as well as another depicting Wladimiro Panizza, on my dorm wall in 1981-82. Your bike therefore brings back many a happy memory and smile.

A little bit of constructive criticism. The stem, as already mentioned, should be lowered as much as is physically possible for safety reasons. The saddle should be leveled out (at present the nose points downwards quite excessively). The saddle quick release should be replaced with the correct fixed seatlug bolt. The brake cables should be replaced with stiffer housing that is cut back as much as is possible. It appears that you have used modern cable housing that uses a considerably lighter gauge inner core which allows the cables to be somewhat "sloppy".

Senhor Colnago

Thanks very much, Citizen! I had hoped someone would question some of my choices.

The stem is stuck quite far into the fork tube; there were marks where it formerly was, and it's due for re-anodizing at which point it will fit better. Right now it's powder-coated, which is too thick for proper fit.

I agree with you on the brake cables--I'm looking for the correct silver grey 4mm ribbed cables as the bike originally had. I changed to the quick release bolt out of personal preference; I know it's not correct and might eventually replace it. The saddle is set that way for my casual plunking around...I'm 64, newly reborn to my old passion and gradually getting used to saddles again!

gaucho777 

So, not meaning to derail the thread, but when/where can we see the '59 Girardengo?

Reynolds 

Very nice! Looks like you should be careful when turning left at low speed...

Bulley

Hi Senhor,

I Commend you on the build. The bike looks fantastic.

I am still interested in obtaining a set of decals. Can you contact me
at Ian.bulley@marquis.com.au to arrange payment and address details.

Thanks

Ian

Senhor Colnago

I'll post it "as is" if you like... are you bay area, gaucho?