Hajo

Recently I bought a nice Chesini frame. Even though I made myself a promise not to built any bike soon, I could not resist. But I am having some doubt what model and year I actually have. I found a bike on the web looking quite similair which was described as a 1980 Precision Arena. I know identifying Chesini's is not easy but anybody that can put me in some direction?

The frame with chrome front fork. Decals have been decently removed by a previous owner.

Never seen this style on the bottom bracket.

On a German forum I found this brace was introduced around 1980.

1989Pre 

As far as I know, the Precision and the Arena were two different models. Yours looks pre-1986 because only one set of water bottle cage bosses. You have a beautiful frame-set. I don't blame you for bending the rule!

'87 Arena

'88 Precision.

Hajo

Thank you, it will certainly become a nice bike once finished. Pre 1986 for sure, it has 126 mm rear spacing and the rear brake cable goes underneath the top tube. I see in your pictures it goes on top of it, did Chesini do that in the later '80s?
I can't make a clue out of all the names for Chesini bikes, Precision, Arena, Mod 83, specially with no decals on it, that makes it even harder to put a year on it.

P!N20

The portacatena holes in the dropout would be consistent with 1980.

Hajo

Just had a look into this portacatena piece. It look nice, amazone and a bit quirky. Would be nice to fit it on my frame but I am afraid it will be a difficult bit to find.

unworthy1

^difficult to find, yes plus of dubious value, AND you need the specific DS shift lever for it to be functional...no not worth the effort, IMO.

Congrats of this fine-looking find and now I have to do some research as to who was the builder for Chesini BITD, since there are some distinctive touches on the BB shell and bridges that make me wonder... (names like "Pela" or "Losa" pop into my brain, so I have to quell that chatter!)

OKAY, chatter be gone: turns out Chesini is noted for producing the bulk of their own frames in-house (for many years) and not doing the commonplace out-sourcing to master builders in the area. And in early days why would they since none other than Mario Confente is said to have been one of their in-house builders (before he moved along to Masi and California). But interesting that they MIGHT have had a few contract-build jobs themselves (or one of the lads took on some side-gigs now and then) cause there are some frames like a Moser with features very much like "Chesini signatures" that defy attribution. One example is attributed to a builder named "Milani" who has highly respected, but...nothing can be confirmed.

Hajo

Yep, no confirmation, not that much brochures around to look at, fortunately they still excist so I might just sent them an email with pictures to find out more.
Thanks for the tip to look for the builder, it will be checked.
I also found I will need a special shifter for that, too bad, it will not happen, since I just purchased several Chesini panto parts including the Campagnolo Chesini shifters.

jdawginsc 

Beauty! Congratulations!

SurferRosa

Here's a question. Doesn't the special shifter just prevent releasing all the cable so it stays on the smallest cog, not the chain holder? I would assume a regular shifter could do the same in the hands of an observant rider. (I very rarely shift all the way down to my biggest gear.)

Hajo

I would not know, I was only considering installing the portacatena on my frame for good looks.

Trakhak

Yes, but "just" isn't the word I'd use. Observant riders can swear that they'd never shift into big-big, so they'd be safe riding with a too-short chain and a Super Record rear derailleur, say, and yet it happens. A momentary distraction, and as you stand on the pedals to sprint, having slammed the shifter all the way forward, the chain obligingly runs onto the portacena ramp. Like running up stairs in the dark and---oops.

unworthy1

You may want to read some more about the system, here's what one owner/blogger (Retrogrouch) has to say on the topic:

"So, why didn't the Portacatena catch on? Most likely, it was because in most cases the chain holder essentially took the space of one freewheel cog. In other words, if the frame and hub were spaced for a 6-speed cluster (typically 126 mm), one would normally have to use a 5-speed freewheel in order to use the Portacatena..."

He has more to say, plus scans of a NOS set with instruction sheet (shift lever included) in this link:
The Retrogrouch: Campagnolo Portacatena: A Neat Idea Whose Time Never Came

Hajo

Thank you all for introducing me into the wonderfull world of the portacatena dropouts any more ideas about the type or age of my frame? Otherwise I will built it with late '70s parts, 1979 is also my year of birth. A nice full chrome rear seat stay and chain stay, that lovely blue paint, NR gruppo, that will be fine with me.

unworthy1

1979 might be "spot-on", or close enough!

Hajo

It has been a while, since the frame has been in the attic waiting for ... a repaint, but it would have been too expensive, to be sold, since I have bought almost an entire Campagnolo (Nuovo) Record groupset for it, but it sparked no interest. So now it will be rebuilt with the Campagnolo Chesini groupset to be enjoyed by yours truely! The only problem I had was the frame had no decals on it, so a nice set was sourced. Since they are not pre-cut I wondered wether the decals have to be individually cut per capital to be placed on the frame, or can I cut around them and stick them as a whole on it?
(Hope I have acurately described my decal issue...)

oneclick 

Aligning and spacing individual letters is quite a bother, I'd avoid separating them unless you want to change how they are arranged.

Hajo

After temporarily placing the decals on the frame with some tape I found not all have the correct measurements. As in, some are just too small. Does any of you have a reference where to buy correct decals, gold letters on a dark blue of black outline? I searched the web but could do with some guidance.

P!N20

Where did you purchase the decals you have?

Cyclomondo has Chesini decals: https://www.cyclomondo.net/chesini

chain_whipped

There was an inconsistency of font in that era. Very telling from frames with the pantographed 'C' in the head tubes and the frame decals. The older pantographed version isn't slanted, either. Possible even moreso the OP frame with that bottom bracket shell cutout- nothing like their other fonts they used.

As for aftermarket decal suppliers, some but not all, are lacking in accuracy, size of letter adjacent to another and spacing.

Hajo

I got my last set from Bicals. But they are truely not correct.
I found Cyclomundo and those decals look more correct to me. I have to contact them to see if they have a set in my preferred colour (golden letters with black outline).