I don't think those are original.

I have a Grand Prix with an essentially identical frame and original graphics:

hmmm...yeah right - who knows

Marley -

This is just a hunch - but I think you Atala is mid-sixties issue.

Why?

1) The stem just seems right, and I'd surmise original. The later 3T stems like yours said "Made IN Italy". The early ones said "Made Italy", as does the one on my late-sixties Ganna (the date of which was pretty well corroborated by Ganna in Italy).

Yours makes no mention of Italy at all, which makes sense if you were previously manufacturing them in the home market, for the home market.

2) I think it is more probable that someone in Italy way back then thought the "wild-west" logo was appropriate for this market, then that someone here could ever locate such an aftermarket "Atala" decal. (Not a lot of demand for those I think.)

Anyway, unless someone can peg the manufacture date from the S/N, I don't think there is a whole lot more to go on here... (Eg; The Japanese components are not OEM and I think your bike probably came with Valentino or something like that. (That is to say, the Japanese DR's are quite an upgrade!))

Whatever the date, it is all-in-all an interesting bike and a great dumpster find!

thanks auchencrow - and all who provided feedback or insights to my find

good points auchen - not sure what to make of the serial # though - it appears to begin w a "7" - but much of the code is not readable - making me wonder if the 7 might be a 2nd digit of the code to which the first is not visible - hmmm

certainly the 'western' font is unique - and kinda cool
in fact - the whole find and ensuing investigation and discussion has been a balst
and certainly - this is what CV is all about to me

thanks again all - hope to build this up and provide some pics

edit: btw - i did give a fist pump on the way out of the dump - partly because of the cool find - partly because i wasnt arrested

What a cool find - I can't wait to see it cleaned up! I bet you'll find the chrome polishes up well - the chrome is very thick on Atala's, much better than on other Italian bikes I've seen. I've never seen those decals either, I thought the curly script was only pre-dated by the plain black block letters that peeled off like lettraset. The crank and bb are probably odd because it was a parts-bin conversion from cottered to cotterless. This bike probably originally had campy valentino, so it's had some significant upgrades.

ok - went in the BB today - the adjustable side came out fine - it has no lockring - that nut is part of the cup - i actually tried some other cups i had in the parts bin for which i have lock rings - none fit - all too small and just slide into the threads - i guess i need a bigger adjustable cup

the fixed is on pretty tight - i tried to see if it was removable and for the time being i'm not messing it with it further - it didnt budge for me - and cup face felt in good shape

other interesting pieces - the BB has the number 23 stamped in it - once on each side of the BB - also - i think there was some kind of repaint done as underneath the paint on some chipped areas there is a red color in some spots

edit: the outside of the cup measures roughly 35.8mm where as my others measure 34.8mm

That's likely the size in inches, as you may have already surmised. I think I remember another Atala on the forum recently that also had the size double-stamped on the BB.

Very cool find! Here's another example of an atypical font from Atala, likely from a later period--I haven't seen any other pictures of this typeface either. Was it common for the Italian makers to use special labeling for their export bikes?

i called my local LBS to see if they had a 36mm adjustable cup and lockring for a three piece square tapered vintage italian bottom bracket - guy couldnt tell me if he had one in stock "without seeing the bike" - huh? or am i just not describing it sufficiently?

Congratulations on the very nice Atala find! Looks like it's cleaning up very well.

I still wonder why people would throw away such nice bikes........Was there a dead body next to it??!

Chombi

I have an Italian adjustable cup and lock ring if you feel like riding down to Lawrenceville.

Th 23 is definitely the size, that's where Atala stamped it. I don't think repaint. Is the "red colour" like a rusty/vermillion red? That's what is under the white sections on my Atala Record. Maybe it was some kind of rust-inhibiting base coat? I also think that the decals are original. I have now seen the "curly script" decals pre-dating the block ones - so it seems they were pretty free and easy with their choices of decals.

As to a bb, i would assume (perhaps incorrectly) that any Italian bb would fit.

+1 tom and rhm
finally figured it out
i see that the cup is fine
and i now understand what was meant about the spindle
and i also need the italian size lockring

rhm - i might take you up on the lockring - thank you for your offer
but i'll see if i can track one down at my other LBS
as for spindle length - anyone want to point me in the right direction - much thanks

I don't know what you need, but I have a Zeus spindle that stands a very good chance of fitting. I can't find the measurements right now... I'll get back to you on that.

As for the decal font, I'm thinking 'spaghetti western.'

thanks rhm - there is a wealth of info i have checked on
i am looking at sheldon right now
but getting confused a bit
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

no wonder this thing ended up dumped - person didnt even have a lockring for the cup and the spindle was the wrong size - they must of had a tough time getting the drive to work

maybe they gave up trying to figure it out and tossed the project

lots of markings on the spindle that came out - 51 (3S) and then a sideways "E"
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html
overall length is 124mm
middle length 51.5 mm (problem area - as far as being to short? do i need an inner 55mm - see sheldon chart)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Dura...7#ht_500wt_969

is this what i'm looking for?
i know i dont need the cups but finding just the lockring and spindle might prove more expensive

or this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suntour-...6#ht_602wt_952

i am concerned for the spindle length - this 2nd listing articulates total lenght but i take it my main issue was the middle length - i am just not seeing that articulated by sellers

This decal is from the '80s. I had a '72 Atala with block font lettering, and as a previous poster mentioned, those decals peeled off like peel off a banana.

I'd put your frame at a mid to late '60s model.

Lee

thanks lee - i'm feeling 60s now too in regards to frame
i picked up a new spindle and lockring and my bottom bracket should be good to go just need some time to work on the bike
will get some pics up with progress soon

Okay:

Your easiest, if not the cheapest, option is to buy an entire Dura-Ace BB/spindle set. Italian shells are 70mm wide and so the distance between spindle races reflect this. Also, the fixed cup is standard-thread, not reversed; so when removing it, keep this in mind.

If you can't find a spindle to fit the Italian DA cups, you might be able to get an older French spindle in there. I used a Nervar spindle in a Bottechia last week; the lockring only engaged two threads, but with some Loctite and the grace of the Lloyd I think it'll stay put.

Nice find. I'm particularly jealous of your cranks, at first I thought you'd scored a Herse set. If you ever want to get rid of them, pray think of me.

you like the maxy's? they are nice - i think it'll build to be a cool rider
i wish i scored some herse cranks - i saw a set go for thousands a few weeks ago - insane

i picked up a full bb setup from the LBS though but i am keeping the cups that came with the find for now
the spindle is a 5s with total length of 126 (asymetrical)
i was looking for a 5N w a total of 122
but the most important length is the 55 in the middle to keep that adj cups out
now - its possible that the 126 is too long on the drive which might make the gearing a challenge - we'll see